Best Old Welsh: De Kuilen’s Idske Wins Round 1 of Voting

De Kuilen’s Idske has won the first round of voting in the ’Cutest Old Welsh Pony or Cob” contest. The 30-year-old NWR performance mare received 100 of the 278 votes.

Idske de Kuilens is the first finalist in this contest. Voting for the final round will open toward the end of this year. Zonneweide’s Nico came in second in the first round with 68 votes, followed by Misty with 63 votes and Bets with 47 votes.

De Kuilen’s Idske – 100 votes

CV
Section NWR
Born: May 23, 1990 / 30 years old
Gender: Mare
Predicate: Achievement
v. Compass Solferino
m. De Kuilen’s Florinde C.
Limbra’s Ringoboy (female)
Breeder: Johannes Crebas
Owner: Crebas Family
Submitter: Stien Crebas
Photo credit: AdW photography

Description
We had the accompanying photo taken in honor of Idske’s 30th birthday. Idske is very special to us because she was bred by my grandfather and is the foundation of our breeding program. She was a wonderful mother and is now a fantastic grandmother and great-grandmother. Idske is often more protective of the foals than their own mothers and takes care of them when they’re weaned. She is and always will be invaluable. As a child, I rode her in dressage, and now my daughter occasionally takes her for a walk around the arena. She is our ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ pony. I’m really looking forward to hearing the fun stories and seeing the photos of other older Welsh ponies!

Nico from Zonneweide – 68 votes

CV
Section A
Born: May 14, 1993 / 27 years old
Gender: gelding
Designation: NWPCS studbook stallion
v. Zonneweide’s Hamid
m. Fuchsia Ilona
Ms. Twyford Pepper
Breeder: Janneke Schilthuis
Owner: Janneke Schilthuis
Submitted by: Janneke Schilthuis

Description
Zonneweide’s Nico was born in 1993 and is 27 years old in the photo. As a three-year-old stallion, he was approved, partly thanks to his spacious, supple trot. He was used for breeding by the Wolters family in Nieuw Buinen for eight years. Even as a stallion, he was a playmate and cuddle pony for Linda van Klinken, who was still a little girl at the time. After eight years, he ‘returned’ to his breeder, Janneke Schilthuis. He was gelded at age 11 so he could graze alongside other ponies. He was ridden to picnics or hitched to a sled in the winter. He was a driving and dressage pony and competed in young rider classes. Now he keeps the weaned foals company. He definitely has a golden temperament, but if he gets the chance, he’ll sneak off to graze on the lawn or eat apples in the orchard.

Misty – 63 votes

CV
Section A
Born: April 19, 1990 / 30 years old
Gender: Mare
Predicate: Sport
v. Wharley Salisbury
m. Maxwelltown Magpie
Ms. Coed Coch Rhodri
Breeder:
Owner: The Klop Family
Submitted by: Maartje Klop

Description
Here’s a photo of our pony, Misty. Misty turned 30 this year! Misty is the sweetest old Welsh pony because she’s such a wonderful pony for kids. She’s given many children confidence and competed at the highest level. She’s lived with several owners and has been with us for the past 5 years. My daughters have also ridden her a lot. And just a few months ago—at age 30—she even competed in a Bixie competition with another girl. She’s a very smart and agile pony; she’s incredibly funny and sweet and loves attention—and especially food! She’s stabled with her friend, our mini Shetland pony Daisy. And during the day in the pasture, she’s also with my horse Corento, who stays calm in the pasture thanks to the ponies. Despite some age-related ailments, she’s incredibly strong. I hope she’ll be with us for a long time to come!

Bets – 47 votes

CV
Section A
Born: June 23, 1995 / 25 years old
Gender: Mare
v. Rowfant Sacha
M. Rinet
Ms. Rowfant Sacha
Breeder: B.H. Ambtman
Owners: The Lowiessen family and Anique Vermeulen
Submitted by: Anique Vermeulen

Description
This is our beautiful, now 25-year-old, Section A Valk mare Bets(ie). She lives up to her name, because she’s a real Aunt Bets: she’d rather be lazy than tired, loves to enjoy good things, but in her crazy moments acts just like a 4-year-old pony and simply jumps 80 cm in freestyle! She’s also taught all our girls to ride with endless patience and is now thoroughly enjoying her retirement—chilling in the pasture with endless cuddles and grooming sessions from everyone who visits. Our beautiful mare has also had some gorgeous foals, including our current driving pony, Bambino. In short, the very, very, very sweetest and most fun old Welsh pony is right here in our pasture! 🙂

Vote for your favorite!

On December 5, 2020, at NWPCS.co.uk The ‘old’ Welsh ponies from voting round 2 have been introduced, and you can now vote for which one will be the second finalist. View all the nominees via the link below: