Best Old Welsh: Big Win for High Flown’s Viper in Round 5 of Voting

High Flown’s Viper won by a landslide this fifth and final preliminary round of the ‘Cutest Old Welsh Pony or Cob’ contest’ won. The Welsh Section A studbook stallion received 166 out of 349 votes.

Nyewold’s Karlo came in second with 65 votes, and Noorderhof Queen came in third with 52 votes. Windhoek’s Tjitske and Cuppers Glen Bride followed with 38 and 28 votes, respectively..

Final

This was the final preliminary round of the ‘Cutest Old Welsh Pony or Cob 2020” contest. The winners of the preliminary rounds are De Kuilen’s Idske, Brinckhoff’s Golden Tulip, Maestir Odyssey, Varpullan Wessa, Hengelhoef’s Finale, and High Flown’s Viper. In addition, Egdom’s Nanda and Jannes Kemink’s Stephanie have also earned a spot in this final.

Registration for the finals opens on Wednesday, December 23. You can also read about it on NWPCS.co.uk How to vote. We'll announce the winner on New Year's Eve. Want to read up on the finalists and nominees again? Click the button below:

High Flown’s Viper – 166 votes

CV
Section A
Born: May 10, 1998 / 22 years old
Gender: stallion
Predicate: NWPCS Studbook Stallion
v. Wolverton Joey
m. Viola
mv. Rober
Breeder: Marian Spruijt and Kees Vrijhof
Owner: Marian Spruijt and Kees Vrijhof
Submitter: Team High Flown

Description
Hi, I’m High Flown’s Viper, a black, certified Welsh Section A stallion. I’m 22 years old. I still live in my hometown of Rhoon, where I was born 22 years ago. In 1998, the year I was born, eight foals were born. Some very special friends of my owners were allowed to choose a foal for their first child, who had just been born. Of course, they chose me—a beautiful black stallion with a blaze and four white legs—and I already showed a lot of spirit and agility. When I was 2 years old, they wanted to geld me and sell me, but fortunately my breeders didn’t approve and took me back. I was prepared for the stallion inspection, and in 2001 I was approved as a breeding stallion. Many mares have been bred to me because I am a pure black sire, and my offspring often have that beautiful black coat with a blaze and white legs; my offspring also have good temperaments, and many of them compete in the sport. I myself have competed in single and double harness, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Now I’m no longer working, but I am the showpiece of my owners’ riding school, and every day I get cuddled and groomed by the sweet kids—I love that and would never bite or kick. I hope I can keep enjoying this wonderful life for a long time to come. Best regards, High Flown’s Viper.

Nyewold’s Karlo – 65 votes

CV
Section A
Born: March 3, 1998 / 22 years old
Gender: gelding
v. Cuppers Magnum
M. Rosanja
Ms. Ysselvliedt’s Joskin
Breeder: I. Zuidema-Bakker
Owner: R. Lamein
Submitted by: Hindriëtta Lamein

Description
It’s been 22 years since little Karlo came to our stable as a foal just a few months old, and he’s been my best buddy ever since—because Karlo and I are the same age. It’s been 22 years, and he’s still a little rascal. He’s 22 years old and still super fit and enthusiastic. He still has a blast, and he still competes in driving competitions. Whether it’s dressage, obstacle courses, or (mini) marathons, he always gives it his all. All he has to do is hear the bell or the music, and off he goes! He certainly doesn’t take it well when he’s not allowed to compete. He’s achieved many successes in both the four-in-hand and the pair, including several Dutch championship titles. In 2018 and 2019 alone, he won a total of no fewer than 4 titles! He is and always will be our golden pony!

Noorderhof Queen – 52 votes

CV
Section A
Born: April 14, 1998 / 22 years old
Gender: mare
v. Bolster Silco
m. Tongelre’s Hubble
Ms. Synod Prophet
Breeder: M.A.L. Verhallen
Owner: Jacqueline van Bruggen
Submitted by: Jacqueline van Bruggen

Description
Our Prim, aka Noorderhof Queen, is the sweetest old Welsh pony. She came to us when she was 7, was ridden by our daughter, and ran in a two-horse team with our other old Welsh pony, Schepersenk’s Lobke. Although she was out of competition for a few years due to an injury, she made a full recovery and, fortunately, was able to compete in marathon races again—something that always made her very happy. She still enjoys taking a ride in front of the carriage and has taught several ponies the ropes of driving in a two-horse team.

Windhoek’s Tjitske – 38 votes

CV
Section A
Born: March 20, 1999 / 21 years old
Gender: mare
Rating: star
v. Boskant’s Eros
m. Danielle from Windhoek
mv. Greulke’s Black Boy
Breeder: The Schilthuis Family
Owner: The Schilthuis Family
Submitted by: The Schilthuis Family
Photo credit: Nynke Leen

Description
Windhoek’s Tjitske is 21 years old and still had a foal at her side this year—her 14th^e foal. Tjitske is a “ster” mare, and her daughters Griesalda and Sylvia are also “ster.” Tjitske was primarily used for breeding and was also successful at inspections as a young mare. Several of her offspring have been sold abroad, but the black mare Jasmijn carries on the bloodline.

Cuppers Glen Bride – 28 votes

CV
Section A
Born: March 31, 1997 / 23 years old
Gender: mare
Rating: "Keur"
v. Synod Prophet
m. Crossways Jungle Queen
Crossways Rebel, Inc.
Breeder: Sylvia van de Ven – Jansen
Owner: Sylvia van de Ven – Jansen
Submitted by: Sylvia van de Ven – Jansen

Description
Even if you’re not always the nicest, you’re still the most beautiful—despite your age. As a young pony, she won first prize at the show, but unfortunately… no Kootwijk. As she got older, she became more and more beautiful. So what do you do? Enter her in the show, of course—this time in Gasselternijveen. The long journey was well worth it; she received a 1A award along with an invitation to Kootwijk. At the Central Show, she earned a “Ster” rating with a fine third-place finish, and two years later, she was awarded “Keur.” Persistence pays off!!! A strong pony who, to this day, has never had to visit a veterinarian or equine dentist. In short, a real champion!! We hope she’ll stay with us a while longer, in good health.