High Flown's Viper Nicest Old Welsh of 2020

The winner of the election ‘Finest Old Welsh Pony or Cob 2020′ is High Flown's Viper. The 22-year-old Section A studbook stallion earned 526 points. Second was Varpullan Wessa with 491 points and third Maestir Odyssey with 386 points.

Finalists were able to collect points via Instagram, Facebook and email over the past week. Via e-mail, only NWPCS members could vote. Here the most points were for the 27-year-old section A studbook stallion Maestir Odyssey, who incidentally was also narrowly at the top of the Instagram poll. However, his section mates Viper and Wessa managed to garner more likes on Facebook and thus passed Odyssey in the final results.

The remaining finalists all earned between 100 and 200 points, placing them in a combined fourth place: De Kuilen's Idske, Brinckhoff's Golden Tulip, Hengelhoef's Finale, Egdom's Nanda and Jannes Kemink's Stephanie.

Gold: High Flown's Viper

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

Stud stallion and cuddly pony

High Flown's Viper is a black approved Welsh section A stallion. He still lives in his birthplace in Rhoon where he was born 22 years ago. As a two-year-old he was almost sold and castrated, but his breeders Marian Spruijt and Kees Vrijhof managed to prevent that. He was prepared for stallion selection and in 2001 he was approved at the NWPCS as a breeding stallion. Viper's offspring often have the same beautiful black color with blaze and white legs as Viper. His children also have a good character and many of them compete in the sport. He himself also competed in single and double harness and did so with great pleasure. Meanwhile, the black stallion no longer works, but he is still the showpiece of his owners' stables. He is still cuddled and brushed every day by the sweet children, who also voted for him in abundance. He loves cuddling and will never bite or kick.

Silver: Varpullan Wessa

Section: A
Born: April 30, 1993 / 27 years old
Gender: mare
v. Tongelre Gay Snip
m. Dyrin Warpu
mv. Dyrin Martini
Breeder: Arthur Spronken
Owner: Bert Pijls
Submitter: Xanthe Daniëlse

Sundance

“Varpullan Wessa, nicknamed Sundance, is the very nicest old Welsh pony!” That's what Xanthe Daniëlse wrote about the 27-year-old bay Section A mare. “She is super sweet, never puts a step wrong and also a bit stubborn.” Especially on Instagram and Facebook, Xanthe managed to win many voters for Wessa. “In the picture, we became circle champions, actually our only real title. She was my very first pony of my own and I got her when she was 18, myself 6 at the time, and she didn't officially start until she was 21. Before then, she had 6 foals. In the picture she is 22, and now, at 27, she has been enjoying her retirement for 4 years. She is truly the sweetest and enjoys all the cuddles.”

Bronze: Maestir Odyssey

Section: A
Born: January 1, 1993 / 27 years old
Gender: stallion
Predicate: NWPCS Studbook stallion, multiple champion (including Royal Welsh)
v. Pendock Legend
m. Maestir Odette
mv. Baledon Crackerjack
Breeder: Mrs. Daunt
Owner: Davy Wormgoor
Submitter: Davy Wormgoor

Odyssey is the king of the barn, and he likes to be treated that way. For example, he always wants to be the first to go outside. Odyssey is a real showboss. He won many championships, including at the Royal Welsh and the international show. At age 25 he was again approved by the Welsh studbook. Here he placed third in his class, leaving many younger stallions behind him. Meanwhile, he is 27 and still nails it. Foals are expected from him again next year.