My parents had been showing cobs for some years and, after being dragged round shows, I decided that I would like a pony of my own to show in hand.  It was on a stud visit to Bengad, where I saw field after field of ponies, that I  set my heart on a chestnut filly foal, Bengad Red Nerine. Sired by the famous Coed Coch Saled and out of the delightful Nepeta daughter, Bengad Ribbon Grass, Nerine was a wonderful tenth birthday present. Our very first show was the following spring and we went in fighting. With her tail over her back and me running as fast as I could, we took the class and was reserve champion. I think it was then when the 'SHOWING BUG' really kicked in.

After breaking Nerine in at four and riding her through the winter, I wanted to breed from her. So after wading through the journals, a telephone call was made and off to Springbourne we went. Deciding on Springbourne Boy Blue (Breachwood Marwyn X Barton Bluebell), she was duly covered and upon collection we were taken on a tour of the new foals. Springbourne Gemma (Penual Mark X Springbourne Glenys) had always inspired me, every time I saw her I thought 'one day I would love to have a pony like that'.  A few days previous she had foaled a very backward first foal, a filly by Boy Blue. It was on that acquisition that the Vervale Stud was born. (Photo above right Blanche Glimmer)

Blanche Glimmer was only very lightly shown but with success, we went through the young stock classes together. We learned a lot in those early years.  Two years later, back to Springborne we went again, this time to look for a colt foal. Springbourne Crusader (Sunwillow Ofenpass X Springbourne Cara) was one of those ponies that you had to have. He had the most beautiful head, long arched neck and motion to burn. A champion as a foal and continuing on as a yearling, he was a joy to show. As with many great things in life, there are always downsides. At three, still no testicles had dropped and after undergoing surgery he was later sold to Paula Burton, who was looking for a lead rein pony for her daughter. He was her first welsh mountain pony and what a first pony to have, he went on to claim many titles as a in-hand pony as well as qualifying for Wembly and Olympia under saddle. (photo above left Springbourne Crusader)

At three, Blanche Glimmer was bred to the much decorated stallion, Breachwood Marwyn. The following spring a beautiful grey filly was born. Vervale Glamour was only shown once as a yearling being champion and then sold, with the thinking that another filly would come along soon. The previous autumn I had purchased from the late Tom Morris, Neuadd Parc Welsh Lady. A roan filly with huge poppy eyes, and the best moving pony that I have ever seen. She was by the typey Penboeth Raffles and out of  Pen-y-cwm Dawn, the dam of Weston Anniversary who was one of the top priced fillies at the Weston Dispersal sale. Neuadd Parc Welsh Lady simply loved life, always showing off with her tail in the air and snorting. A champion at her first show, she could always be relied upon to 'come to the party'. She had problems with her joints and produced only one foal before being put down. Another one of those who was taken too young. Her treasured filly, Vervale Ra-Ra by Vervale Gangster was never shown and was recently sold to Tara Coppins who is eagerly awaiting her first foal to Vervale Grenade. (Photo above right Vervale Rara ©Tigertotz Photography)

Now back to the story, I always go off on a tangent. After Glamour was born, Glimmer was sent back to Springbourne this time to the most prolific sire of recent times, the incomparable Springbourne Caraway. The resulting colt was special from birth. Vervale Gangster was a Supreme champion as a foal and had a fantastic showing career. When he was a yearling, I went to help out for the summer at Heniarth and took him with me. He won against the welsh and as only the second foal that I had bred I was immensely pleased. As a three year old he was second at the Royal Welsh and after covering some mares the following year was reluctantly sold abroad. (Photo above left Vervale Gangster)

After a year off, Glimmer again produced another colt by Caraway, this time a chestnut. A much rangier pony than Gangster, Vervale Gesture was sold as a foal to Paula and Philip Burton Ward, he brought them much success in the show ring before being sold on as a ridden pony. Deciding to explore new bloodlines, Vervale Grenade was the exciting result. Sired by Knodishall Beaufort, a supreme champion son of Pendock Legend, he was of the last foal crop before this young stallion was lost to Argentina. Grenade has short cannons, good bone combined with a beautiful head and fluid movement. Traits that were passed on to the Thistledown Ponies where Grenade stood for two seasons, he is now greying out and will be campaigned in the stallion classes this year! (Photo above right Vervale Grenade)

The following year and yes, another colt!  But from the first time I saw him I knew that this was no ordinary pony. Coal black eyes with a chiseled head, hooky neck and an air of superiority, Vervale Gabbana had arrived. Possibly the most like his sire, Gabbana won 5 out of his 6 shows as a yearling. After staying at home as a two year old to mature, he was Supreme Champion on his debut outing at three and qualified for the HOYS Cuddy Breeders Supreme at the East Anglian Native Pony Show. He went to Birmingham and was 5th and highest placed native. He will be shown again in the future at some point ! (Photo above left Vervale Gabbana)

And then at last another filly. The exquisite Vervale Glitter is a near carbon copy of her brother Gabbana and has been retained by us at the stud.   Another Caraway came next in the form of the Royal Welsh Young stock Champion reserve Vervale Galileo. A showman from birth, this amazing colt was unbeaten in 7 outings as a yearling. He was sold over the phone as a baby on the strength that he was another star in the making to Mr Clive Johnston from Ireland. He will take up stud duties along side Friars Superted and join his collection of beautiful ponies after this show season has ended ! Glimmer was given a year off and then we took a change in direction. In 2003 she produced her 3rd filly, the much admired Vervale Goddess. She is a daughter of the multi-champion Heniarth Quip, and again has a zest for life like her siblings. Watch out for this classic filly in the show ring this year !! In 2004 Glimmer has had a stunning grey filly - Vervale Glitz - by the young stallion Delami Destiny (Taliaris Granite X Idyllic Fontayne by Pendock Legend). This filly has amazing carriage with a beautiful head and neck. In 2004 Glimmer will be bred to one of the top winning ponies of recent years - Friars Super Ted. (photo above right Vervale Galileo, above left Vervale Goddess)

So 14 years on, Vervale has managed with just one broodmare to produce some of the top ponies in the country. Luck always has a helping hand but I owe everything to that backward foal that I so wanted that night at Springbourne. Did I get my Gemma ?  I will let you decide.