Marsh Stud Welsh mountain ponies

The Marsh Stud was founded on Romney Marsh, Kent in 1947 by my mother, the late Beryl Reynolds (nee Prior). My grandfather (on my father's side) E. J. Reynolds of Blanche Street, Dowlais joined the Welsh Pony and Cob Society in 1919 and bred ponies under the Blanche prefix. My father Cei joined as a life member in 1958. My grandmother (on my mother's side) joined the WPCS in 1980 and bred ponies under the Prior prefix.

May 2008 saw a new home for the Marsh Stud, after being based in Hildenborough, Kent for 43 years. John, my son, and I have moved to Llanedi in Carmarthenshire. We are very lucky to now have 32 acres in beautiful countryside.

The first registered mare was Revel Queenie (Revel Commander x Revel Fyle Lass) purchased from a friend of the late Mr Arthur McNaught (Mrs Alison Mountain's father). In 1948 three foals were purchased from Mr Emrys Griffiths of the Revel Stud. The two fillies Revel Cream Bun (Revel Revolt x Revel Cream) and Revel Vine (Bolgoed Squire x Revel Vintage) became the Stud's foundation mares. Revel Cream Bun was covered by Coch Coch Glyndwr, the resulting foal being Marsh Crusader who was the Stud's senior stallion until his death in 1980.

Revel Vine was the dam of three fillies: Marsh Cascade by Bowdler Blue Boy, Priors Thunderhead by Revel Warrior, and Marsh Giselle by Coed Coch Glyndwr. These three grey mares remained in the Stud all their lives. When they took part in the SEWPCA Stud Judging Competition, the judge, Mr Wynne Davies wrote in the 1975 WPCS Journal,

"Class 1 was won by Mr & Mrs Cei Reynolds three lovely old white mares by Revel Warrior, Bowdler Blue Boy and Coed Coch Glyndwr and out of Revel Vine. The three of them as alike in peas in a pod and in view of their excellent condition and activity, one would never have suspected that their combined ages amounted to 66 years!"

Rowfant Peacock (Twyford Gamecock x Dovey Prima Donna) joined the Stud in 1968 and stayed for several years before being sold to Mr James of the Carnalw Stud. Peacock's mating with Marsh Cascade's first foal Marsh Princess Caroline (by Criban Winston) produced the chestnut colt Marsh Mr P.

The cream mare Revel Syche, joined the Stud in 1973 and in 1976 produced Marsh Salome by Marsh Mr P. Salome had successes both under saddle and in hand and her line continues today through her daughter Marsh Sappho by Revel Jeeves.