A star is found in Dakota

A Welsh section A colt from a small stud is crowned overall supreme ahead of a top-drawer field of future champions

- ALEX ROBINSON

Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Royal Welsh Showground, Powys

SMALL-SCALE breeder Owen Griffiths had cause for celebration when his home-bred Welsh section A colt, Ilar Dakota, stole the show and scored him his first Royal Welsh Winter Fair win and subsequent supreme title.

The Winter Fair was, as per usual, a showcase of future stars of both the breeding field and show ring. Bumper entries were witnessed across the two days, with breeders using the fixture as a shop window for their stock.

After scoring the colt foal class, Dakota – the first foal from his dam, Waxwing Dainty Dinah, whom Owen has on lease from the notable Waxwing Stud – was pulled forward as overall supreme with handler Sam Morsley, ahead of the Bigley family’s championed Welsh section B, Llanarth Consort.

“My section A numbers are relatively low,” explained Owen. “Dakota’s win hopefully goes to show that even the small-scale breeder can produce champions with the right breeding lines.”

Dakota is by Owen’s own young stallion, Waxwing Fly Past.

“I have retained Dakota’s full brother, Ilar Denver, this year and I hope to have him on the in-hand scene before he comes out under saddle in a few years,” added Owen. “Dakota has been line-bred to Revel Hetty, who is arguably one of the most influential Welsh mountain ponies. This is my first major win with the breed.

“My mission is always to breed a pony that has the temperament, mentality and conformation to compete as a child’s ridden pony.”

Dewi Roberts judged the supreme championship.