But the formation of the Llanarth Stud, pioneered by three trailblazing women, was about to help change the breed’s fortunes.
“The partnership formed by Pauline Taylor, Barbara Saunders Davies and Enid Lewis at Blaenwern, which established the Llanarth Welsh cob stud, meant that things would never quite be the same again in the Welsh cob world,” wrote William Lloyd, former president of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, in the foreword to Teleri Bevan’s 2010 book The Ladies of Blaenwern, which charts the stud’s history.
Together the women were known as the Dorian Trio, a musical partnership who travelled around schools in Wales performing and educating children, but by the outbreak of World War II — and now middle-aged — they had embarked on a joint farming venture in Llanarth, eventually settling at Blaenwern.
They began breeding a variety of Welsh native breeds from cattle and corgis to sheep and pigs, with a particular focus on the Welsh cob. But it was not without controversy; they were encroaching on the closed and male-dominated world of cob breeding in Cardiganshire and raised eyebrows with their opposition to docking, penchant for palominos and open-mindedness to part-breds.
This story is from the February 20, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 20, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A fitting finale
Tessa Waugh relates the second part of her husband's final day hunting hounds, which looked to be a hip flask tasting session until the proverbial three o'clock offered one last hurrah
'What a day to be Irish'
One nation is looking stronger than ever, but there is disappointment for the Brits in a thrilling second leg of the new-look League of Nations
The ultimate all-rounder
Romeo gave Robert Walker his love of showing - and hunting, with a five-mile point and an eight-mile hunt in the afternoon one memorable Boxing Day
Bouncing, bonny - and sound
H&H's hunting editor Catherine Austen is delighted to report that her horse has finished the season in fine form, and takes a look at the future
'Will there be any riding schools left?'
Pammy Hutton on the current challenges faced by the equestrian industry
New competition to replace Aachen's FEI Nations Cup
The venue will host its own elite team dressage competition instead
Seven Badminton champions on this year's event entries list
Seven former winning riders are due to start, but no previous equine victors are on the list
Blair lost as concerns grow for eventing in Scotland
Blair Castle Horse Trials will run for the 35th and last time this summer, sparking concerns for eventing in the region
A risk to horse health: warning against importing unauthorised medication
Illegally imported equine drugs have been seized by the relevant authorities in four recent cases
Protect your pocket
Insurance is a big monthly hit, but small tweaks can lower your premium. Sarah Isaacs finds out how to save costs appropriately