Pony Profiiles
Let’s Hear It For The Girls! by Thalia Gentzel
Photo courtesy: The Welsh Pony World
Photo courtesy: WPCSA Stud Book Vol. VI Photo courtesy: G. H. Parsons
the "stone pony" series. In the eighties and nineties we So what do Blue Hens have to find good hunter ponies from a do with a pony column? I have no FARNLEY SIRIUS son named idea how the term came into Farnley Sparkler. Leading the list being, but a Blue Hen is a prolific was was Farnley Sunglint. broodmare of extraordinary proAnother daughter, GlanNant portion who has made a major Frosty, was the dam of GlanNant contribution to her particular breed Sleigh Bell, her full sister or type. I first saw this term some Helicon Touch of Frost (Finals decades ago in a little article about Small Champion 1998), Helicon Humphrey Finney who was a great Epic Event, and Alexander's in Throughbred sales and other Frosted Blue. One year at the phases of the industry. For some Finals, the latter three all ribtime I have been wanting to salute boned in the small pony divisome Blue Hens of the Welsh and sion! Bill Winkelman in Iowa pony hunter world and me thinks used Sparkler daughters, Winks' what better time than now - in Fanfare and Funfare, in his conjunction with a celebration of handicapped driving program as Joan Dunning's 100th birthday and well as in his breeding herd. to honor her contributions to pony Bringing us into this decade, breeding in the United States. we have another Farnley *COED COCH SEREN was one of Sparkler daughter, Helikon Halo, the very first imports that Joan who is the dam of Blackberry Dunning, then Mrs. Alexander (Hillcrest's Sugar Plum) who won Mackay-Smith, brought to Farnley smalls at the Pony Finals in Farm in Virginia back in 1937, 2007. Halo's offspring scored accompanying them by ship from over 10,000 USEF pony hunter Top, Coed Coch Seren in Wales, prior to her Britain. Seren, foaled in 1925, was importation in 1937, and bottom, as a points last season; they are by Grove Sharpshooter (by Dyoll Hillcrest's Silver Lining and broodmare at Farnley. Starlight) out of Lady Grey (by Dancing Bear as well as Helicon Greylight) which doubled up on a Headliner. Headliner's full most type-y and classic progenitor of the Welsh brother, Hillcrest's McGyver, was on the event circuit in Mountain Pony, Bleddfa Shooting Star. At that time 2007 and was Reserve Champion in Jr/Young Rider Seren was carrying a foal by another typy foundation Novice Division at the 2005 American Eventing stallion, Coed Coch Glyndwr. This was none other than Championships with a 12 year old girl! Hillcrest's Top *FARNLEY SIRIUS of whom you have read in previous Hat is a stallion at Stonewall in WI. These are just some Pony Profiles columns. To give your memory a jog, he of the offspring. Picture a Blue Hen wearing a halo was the sire of Farnley Gremlin whose daughter, here! Gremlin's Delight, represented our country here and in Further exploring the descendants of *COED COCH England on the international teams of the early sixties. SEREN, I began jotting down names from www.allShe then went on to another stellar career as the dam breedpedigree.com - and before I knew it had lists fillof eighties' stars, Dresden, Bonnie Reb, Share the ing four notebook pages! You will find many other Wealth, Frito Bandito, and Swan Song. In reading grand mares of Blue Hen caliber among her female descenprix results today, one is reminded of these ponies as dants. Ever so many Welsh and pony hunter breeders Molly Ashe rode Frito Bandito and Lauren Hough Swan today have the blood of *COED COCH SEREN in their Song! herds! I know I do! Then there is Before importation in 1937, Seren had produced another Blue some outstanding individuals at Coed Coch in North Hen daughter of Wales, including in 1937 COED COCH SIRIUS, dam of SIRIUS, Farnley over 20 foals, the best known being Daisy Brodrick's Cufflink, the penultimate show mare, Coed Coch Siaradus. Here are dam of more some more of the Seren offspring foaled in Wales: eighties' jewels, 1930 - COED COCH SHONET, the dam of Eryri Shenandoah Gwyndaf who in turn sired Severn Sure Shot, influential Opal (7 times in this country. His dam was Ceulan Serene so he was AHSA Horse of double *Coed Coch Seren! the Year and 1933 - COED COCH SERLIW by Revolt. 21 of the twice Res Ch) 50 Royal Welsh Show winners between 1947 and 1972 and Flintstone, traced back to this mare! Among her foals were Coed plus others of Gremlin and Matthew Mackay-Smith
Coch Seirian, *Ceulan Serenade (dam in the US of the stallion Merrie Mills Concerto at Fairview in IL), *(Ceulan) Shalimar at Crilban in IL, Ceulan Serene (Severn in MD). 1936 - *COED COCH SEON, imported to the U.S. by Charles Bassett of NY and sire of Dolhir Firelight and Dolhir Short Snorter, himself the sire of Severn Black Diamond 1937 - COED COCH SIRIUS, dam of over 20 foals. In addition to Siaradus, she was in 1949 the dam of Rhyd-Y-Felin Seren Wyb, known in Section B circles as the dam of the stallion, Rhyd-Y-Felin Selwyn, the sire of *GlanNant Sonnet. Now we'll take a look at two of Seren's best known offspring at Farnley, FARNLEY SIRIUS and FARNLEY MONOCLE. This will give you some idea of the farreaching influence of *COED COCH SEREN! 1938 -*FARNLEY SIRIUS by Coed Coch Glyndwr In addition to his offspring already listed (Farnley Gremlin 1947, Farnley Cufflink 1953, and Farnley Sparkler 1957) we will highlight a few more of the SIRIUS foals: 1945 - Chwindclad Cynneu and 1946 Aldebaron, stallions for Hope Ingersoll in MA. 1947 - Farnley Gremlin who, in addition to Gremlin's Delight, sired in 1955 Farnley Kobold and he sired Farnley Belladonna who had 18 or more foals including the stallions Farnley Bellringer, Carillon, Great Tom, Stepney, and Belshazzar (sire of Shenandoah Beechwood, Finals Champion) plus the good hunter pony, Farnley Old Bailey. 1950 - Farnley Sunflower, she in turn the dam of Dolrhedyn Rose who mothered Dolrhedyn Rambler (sired Benlea Rambler, the sire of Pony Dot Com aka Benlea Playboy), Alra Dana Amber Rose (dam of stallions Alra Amber Classic at Farnley and Cloe Olympian at Clovercroft who sired ever so many including the dressage stallion, Wynnbrook Stardust, and the Pecan Creek series), Alra Dana Roselyn (Alra Blue Radiance), Burgundy Rosette (Fox Cry Raindrops On Roses and Whiskers On Kittens, Gayfields Comin Up Roses), and Alra Amethyst (Grand Views Penelope). 1952 - Farnley Wimple who had 19 foals including Farnley Cloche (the dam of Courtash Karnival), F Het (at Dandardel), F Nautilus (F Sea Urchin to Dandardel Brit Rail), F Veil (Oak Orchard Wimple), F Calyptra (F Calla who had Crossroads Sunshine, Hillcrest's Michaelangelo LOM, HC Mona Lisa, HC Picasso a.k.a. Snuggle Up), Rosecroft Chapeau to Southern Lad to Model Cadet and Lucy Love) 1956 - Davric Rock n Roll (Obispo Royal Blue) ~~~ 1942 - FARNLEY MONOCLE by *Bowdler Brightlight 1961 - Farnley Reflection, sire of GlanNant Epic, himself sire of Helicon Garden Party aka Silver Steps 4 times USEF Horse of the Year and Finals Champion, H Take Notice (Finals Ch and Res Ch) and Notice Me (AllBreed Dressage CH), Lyn-Lee Calypso aka McGregor (4X HOTY), his brother Lyn-Lee Tiempo (CT horse), Portrait Painter (HOTY), Tickle Me Too (Finals Res Ch), Alexander's Epigram, H Buccaneer and Privateer, H Summer Games, etc and the stallions, Patchwork Omen and Gold Nugget, Blackfire's Epic Jester, and Helicon Epilogue 1962 - Farnley Lorgnette, another Blue Hen, dam of 24, including Farnley Frere Jacques (sire of Farnley Aria-the dam of stallions F Ballad and F Prelude, and also of F Selkie, Shenandoah Neptune and Sh White Lace, Sugarbrook Chocolate Rose, dam of Blue
Bouquet, Incrediblue, and 7 others). 1965 - Farnley Spyglass, sire of The Homesteader, Cloverleafs U-C-It dam of Hidden Creeks Lusty C, Islander (Hidden Springs Born To Flirt, Blu Venture Rainbeau, etc), Lithgow Parson John, Rollingwoods Chips Ahoy (Rollingwoods Lorna Doone) 1966 - Farnley Specs, dam of Lyn-Lee Starbright, dam of GlanNant Sunshine and Wallabout Brooklyn I did not clog these progeny lists further by inserting the sires of the *COED COCH SEREN descendants but would like to add that many stellar combinations resulted from the use of the early Farnley import stallions such as *Bowdler Brightlight and *Farnley Lustre, and later of *Downland Drummer Boy. I'll end with a question - Do you have a descendant of *COED COCH SEREN in your show string or breeding herd? Our profoundest thanks go to Joan Dunning for her ongoing contributions to the Welsh, Dartmoor, and hunter pony worlds!
From '38 TO '08, Who do we appreciate? JOAN DUNNING - Of course! Here are some memories from owners of Farnley ponies and their descendants over the years:
This is a picture of my beloved Farnley Raven (F Prelude x F Cameo), taken in the late winter of 2006, at Goethe State Forest getting ready to leave for a trail ride. I now have her full sister and half-brother (by F Belshazzar). Dispositions to die for, gorgeous creatures, easy to train, a joy to ride, and great friends. Sherrie Southworth Moon Lake Stud, Gainesville, FL Note: Raven has at least 5 crosses to *Coed Coch Seren thorugh F Frere Jacques (2X), F Belladonna, F Starlet, F Lorgnette
Recollections from Doris Kelsey of Patchwork Ponies on the Kansas Prairie: My visit to Farnley took place in the mid 1970s. I arrived unannounced on a Greyhound bus! It stopped at White Post, Virginia which consisted of an old country store and a couple of houses. Luckily the store was open and had a public phone. I called the farm and was informed that Mrs. Romaine was not home but was expected later that day. I asked for directions expecting to hitchhike to the farm. The lady on the phone would have nothing to do with that, so she and the cook drove to the store to pick me up. Arriving at the
farm, they summoned one of the livestock managers to show me around. I then spent about an hour viewing the broodmares in their field. Joan arrived and soon supper was served on the veranda overlooking the mare pasture. I pointed out a chestnut roan mare that I thought especially striking, "Oh, she has a full brother, a stallion, out by you," she replied. She had sold Farnley Sparkler (by F Sirius, a son of Coed Coch Glyndwr and Seren X Cui Glitter, also the dam of F Lustre) to Mollie Butler of GlanNant Farm and Mollie had sold him to Bill Winkelman in Iowa. I knew Bill. He held a pony auction the first Saturday in December every year. That winter I went to the sale and inquired of the pony. Bill had sold him and couldn't remember to whom. I forgot about him, but I had told my good friend, Thalia Rinedollar nee Gentzel, about what had happened. Several years passed and I got an excited call from Thalia. She'd told Mollie Butler what I'd done and Mollie had gotten a call from the pony's owner. He was moving to town and was contacting previous owners listed on the pony's papers to see if they wanted him back. If not, he was going to put the old pony down. Mollie knew we were interested and gave us the contact information. Thalia, her young daughter Molly, and I drove to Iowa and got him ASAP! We had him for seven seasons from age 21 and he put numerous foals on the ground for us. He was my first purebred Welsh stallion and established me as a serious breeder. I still have three of his daughters, all in their mid-20s. A grandson was second highest selling small at the 2007 Pony Finals sale. Farnley Sparkler was a 12.3 1/2 hand liver chestnut roan with a reputation of jumping out of any pasture he was put in BUT Mollie Butler told us he was terrified of electric fencing. I put a hot wire around my small pasture and he lived out with his mares most of the year. He would come up to a wood fence and check its height. If he could get his chin over, he knew he could jump out. During the winter, Sparky had to be in the barn as the herd had to cross his field to access the heated water tank. Thalia would come to visit and he'd promptly back her against the stall wall. She'd have a moment's panic until remembering that he just wanted to have his bottom scratched! I would ride him daily and had borium put on his shoes due to the ice and snow. I'd hold his bridle up and he'd grab the bit and head for the door. I had to
be fast to slip it over his ears as he was going for a ride! I rode him bareback and it was obvious he enjoyed every minute, perhaps recalling his show ring days! But old Sparky was losing his teeth and Equine Senior was not yet on the market. I had a hammer mill and ground the finest alfalfa along with corn and oats. He survived for years and stayed fertile on this diet until 28 years of age. When he died I had the very sad job of informing Thalia and Molly.
The Farnley Connection What an impact the Blue Hen broodmare, *Coed Coch Seren, has had on our breeding program! Her daughter, Farnley Monocle, was the dam of Farnley Reflection, the sire of GlanNant Epic. Epic represented the only Farnley cross with Mollie Butler's excellent Sec B foundation mare, *Coed Coch Prydyddes - and what a blend of movement, jumping ability, will to do and presence that turned out to be! Back in 1986, we were interested in obtaining Epic as he had sired McGregor, 2X AHSA Horse of the Year. Little did we anticipate when he came to us in IL at age 21, that he would end up Top Ten on the USEF Leading Pony Hunter Sires list year after year! Epic died at age 36 with his head in my lap here in IL on May 18, 2000 - and on the same spot on October 26 of that year, his longtime companion, Rollingwoods GinN-Tonic, foaled the last live cover Epic foal, Helicon Epilogue, a full brother to Finals Champion, H Take Notice. And in 2007 we had our first double Epic foal by Epilogue. It is my great joy to have this feminine counterpart of the old man! Another Seren grandson (by Farnley Sirius) was Farnley Sparkler who came on co-ownership at age 21 or 22. He had literally jumped his way out of Bill Winkelman's program. Bill's elderly aunt would come to the family homestead at Lohrville in the summers. Growing tired of midnight calls from the sheriff that Sparkler was again touring the town, she uttered a proclamation that, "If there is one more call, he will have to go!" Well, you know the rest of the story! I could go on and on, but suffice to say that the Farnley blood has been of extraordinary value to our program - as it has to so many others across the nation! Helicon Take Notice
Molly Rinedollar on Farnley Sparkler, 1978.