The Ty Golau Stud

My love of ponies was kindled at the tender age of 18 months, by my great uncle Bert Proctor. It was at this time that he introduced me to the Section B stallion Revel Truffle Boy and the section A mare Brierwood Trifle. My cousin, Stuart, had been breeding section A, B and part bred ponies, with the Foxwood prefix, for some time before my birth, and it was unfortunate for me that the pony numbers had dwindled by the time that I was able to look after a pony of my own. I was fortunate enough to grow up with the last remaining ponies and at twelve years old my grand mother bought me Sun Set, a 7/8ths thoroughbred, bred by my cousin, whom I was fortunate to have the companionship and friendship of for the twenty years of his life.

After a short break from horses, imposed by the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001, and increased responsibilities of work both professionally and at home with our expanding flock of pedigree Poll Dorset sheep, I decided that my riding days were over. However I found that I could not function without an equine friend!- hence the return to my “first love”, the ponies of my youth.

The stud was established in 2001 with the purchase of the Welsh Mountain Pony yearling filly Baledon Brenda Lee in July and later at Fayre Oaks, after visiting the Bengad Stud on the recommendation of Ruth Thacker, Farchynys Stud, to see her, Bengad Moth Mullein was purchased as a companion. That breathtaking visit to Bengad, the hospitality and welcome afforded me by Miss Laura Hutchins and the marvellous memory for pedigrees and blood lines that she has, kindled my own interest in breeding and blood lines. A big "Thank You" must go to Ruth for pointing me in the right direction!!

As my interest in the ponies and bloodlines grew, I set about finding a local breeder and in May of 2002 visited Sian and Peggy Coulthard. There I saw two week old foals, by Bengad Dicksonia, that were enjoying the evening sunshine with their mums. That visit started the germ of a plan and I paid a return visit to Bengad in mid June. On that visit my eye was taken by a four week old colt and a bay filly foal. Unfortunately the filly was not for sale, but I am very grateful to Miss Hutchins for allowing me to purchase the colt I now know as Bengad Water Soldier. Bengad Gooseberry came as companion to Soldier.

In late August I paid a visit to the Waitwith Stud of Gill and Tom Farrow, having met them the previous year at Fayre Oaks, seen ponies bred by them at Llanfrechfa Stud and knowing that their ponies have a generous helping of Bengad blood. I had a truly memorable time, fantastic hospitality, seeing their ponies, talking bloodlines and pouring over photographs of their Champions and Medal winners past and present. It was on that visit that Gill was persuaded to allow me to purchase Waitwith Cloe, by Bengad Dicksonia, as my first broodmare. At that time I also saw the stunning filly foal, Waitwith Charity. However, I was unable to purchase her there and then as she had already been entered for Fayre Oaks, so I made the decision that that was one sale I was not going to miss! A short time later the trip seemed doomed when I dislocated my knee, two weeks before the sale!! Sian and Peggy came to the rescue, driving me there, pushing me around in the wheelchair when my arms became fatigued by crutches and generally waiting on me like a Queen. I owe them a huge debt of gratitude, as there I purchased not only Charity, but the delightful mares Waitwith Beauty and Brabyn’s Glory Be.

It can be seen that the stud has been firmly based on the very best of old bloodlines from the Bengad and Waitwith studs. I hope to be able to breed ponies worthy of their illustrious forefathers.

I do hope that you enjoy looking at the pictures of my ponies and their pedigrees as much as I enjoy having them as my friends!