Having moved to Wales at Christmas 2003 we set about settling in, we couldn’t believe how friendly people were and how welcoming.  We must give a special mention to Ivor and Mafanwy Lloyd, who invited us round during our first fortnight in Wales, and Meirion and Dianne Evans, all of whom have become very good friends.

Our first foal, Nantwood Llawen (Brenmor Ellen × Synod Replica) was born in April and we set about looking for a stallion to send Ellen back to, Gwynfaes Culhwch was our choice (and so began our friendship with Merion and Dianne).  A chance meeting with Rob Grinnall (through Ivor)  led to the loan and eventual purchase of Minyffordd Madonna who was put in foal by Culhwch in September of that year.

Six months in Wales led to a massive change in direction, we had started off with some vague ideas of buying youngstock and keeping them two or three years then selling them on as sensible ridden stock.  We were inspired after looking at some of the studs in the area and seeing a field full of cobs with the same stamp.  A critical look at our field (while containing nice animals) there was no type so some change was required.  Obviously just going to the sales with a big cheque book was out of the question (due to us not possessing a big cheque book!), and we feel there will be a greater sense of achievement if we were able to breed our own type.  With this in mind and our choice of stallion (Gwynfaes Culhwch) conveniently close at hand, off we went to the cob sales and retuned with Menai I’m a Contessa Too (Tessa) a foal to be the foundation of our stud and Colfa Lavinia a yearling to be run on and produced for ridden.

Before the Royal Welsh Cob sales we sold our first cob.  Jamie Baldwin (Janton Stud) did a superb job backing Annie (Cefncoch Rhiannon) and confident that she would make somebody a fantastic family cob she was entered for the Clwyd Autumn sale where she sold very well.

When Merion found out about our success with Annie he asked us if we would like to start educating one of his young mares before she was sent off for backing, so we were introduced to Gwynfaes Seren JR.  I find it impossible to sum up JR in words, she moves like a dream and is an absolute pleasure to have around the stud, but it is her eccentric personality that makes her such a pleasure to own..........