Loo's Morgan winner election ‘Nicest Old Welsh 2022’

The 28-year-old Welsh section A grey mare Loo's Morgan ‘Morgje’ (Boreas Zep x Hisland Pye) was voted Best Old Welsh 2022 by majority vote. Second was Orchard Swetlana, third Quinn van de Gaweg and fourth Arendshoeve Magic Rio.

Morgje was born on April 6, 1994 at J.N. van de Voort in Eindhoven. Owner is Family Duijts. “Our Morgje is our cutest and sweetest old Welsh pony. Morgje is 28 and has taught many children the basics of riding, and has been very successful in both dressage and jumping. Now our 6-year-old daughter Lette rides her. Morgje also still enjoys jumping and going on outrides.“

2nd: Orchard Swetlana (26)

NWR mare
v. Wester Aikema's Norbert
mv. Vita Nova's Golden Boris
Date of birth: June 09, 1996
Breeder: W. van der Zalm
Owner: R. Kuijer and E.C.J. van Zeijl
Photo: Kim Kuijer

Our Swetlana (26 years old) is not only the cutest but also the sweetest old lady. Besides being in the family for three generations, she is now making the fourth generation very happy as well. Our 3.5-year-old niece is completely in love with ‘little horse Sweety’ and prefers to give her carrots and apples all day every day. We are happy that after all her successes and many offspring, she can now enjoy her old age with us. She has earned that!

3rd: Quinn of the Gaweg (21)

Welsh B gelding
Alias: Shamrock Quinn
v. Shamrock Midnight Invasion
m. Moarzicht's Sobina
Born: May 14, 2001
Breeder: A. Hoogstra, Zuidhorn
Submitter: Ingeborg Wind - Medium
Photo: Roland Hitze

Shamrock Quinn is the cutest old section B welsh pony for us! He is 21 years old, running (again) at M2 level after several years of retirement. This picture is from last August. Quinn is a beautiful Welsh pony with a great character. Absolutely bombproof for the very young but also a good sport pony. In his younger years he was NK L2 and M1 with Sophie van Rossum and Nina van Rossum-Vos, later NK reserve champion M1/M2 (with an M1 test) and 4th at the NKs L2 and M1/M2 (with an M2 test) with Florence Wind, an achievement at his age. Because of Corona he had to skip some championships but with Florence Wind he became KNHS Regio Drenthe champion in every class he started (3 times in a row) and regional champion of Kring Zuid Oost Drenthe. He can also jump well, in class Florence has jumped up to a meter with him. Because of his sweet character and zest for work, he is the mascot and darling of the stable. Rightly an ambassador of the Welsh Studbook.

4e: Arendshoeve Magic Rio (28)

Section B studbook stallion
Alias: Rio
v. Eyarth Rio
mv. Steehorst Jessica
Date of birth: April 9, 1994
Breeder: P.J.M. Arts, Blitterswijck
Submitter: Emily and Danielle Lindeboom
Photo: Daniëlle Lindeboom-Arts

Arendshoeve Magic Rio turned 28 this year and is the very sweetest Welsh B stallion. He is one of the last approved sons of the legendary Eyarth Rio still living in Holland and his mother is the crown preferent mare Steehorst Jessica (by Kirby Cane Grayling). On April 9, 1994 Rio saw the light of day in the stables of our dad and grandfather Peter Arts in Blitterswijck. After he became foal champion in Sevenum he went to the stud farm of the Welsh B club. In 1997 he was approved with a 1st premium and after that he briefly competed in the sport with my sister/aunt. All these years he has produced several offspring and wonderfully enjoyed all the attention from children and grandchildren. A really loyal family pony, even though he is a stallion. Since 2 years he is now in our stable and enjoys the pasture, together with our 2 year old mare and next to 2 of his daughters who are now also 20+ years old. In addition, he is occasionally ridden by Emily, our 8-year-old daughter. Saddle up and go, he enjoys it very much. Despite his advanced age, we hope to enjoy him for a long time to come.

Fifth place

Last month, people could send in photos of ‘old’ Welshmen for the election ‘Nicest Old Welsh Pony of 2022. All of them were toppers. They stay with their owners for so long for a reason. They are often good for many wonderful memories. They often have golden characters and very good health. Hence, the other nominees all finished in fifth place.

Astrid (32)

Section B mare
v. Kortehoeve's Arthur
m. Barnhoeve's Cynthia
mv. Hondsrug Rasputin
Born: May 8, 1990
Breeder: H. T. M. Elsinghorst
Owner: Anna-Marie Jorritsma
Photo: Geke Minnema

Astrid, at 32 years old, can really be called old, and even though it is usually not noticeable, the gray hairs are slowly beginning to betray her age. After 21 years together it is difficult to choose the most beautiful photo, but this is the most precious one for me. That my childhood pony could still be present at our wedding 5 years ago is something I never dared to dream when I got her as a 6 year old girl. We have experienced and learned a lot together. Now she is at our house and we enjoy her every day.

Woldstreek's Michelle (24)

NWR mare
v. Carnation Court Rocky
m. Bokkesprong Snoes
Born: May 25, 1998
Breeder: Hoving Kolham
Owner: Linda Evenhuis-de Vries
Photographer: Ilse Evenhuis

This is our versatile pony Michelle, 24 years young. She can be used in jumping, dressage and she is broken in for a carriage. With an outside ride you can always make her happy and she always has her ears forward. During riding she has a will of her own, but when you handle her you could not wish for a nicer pony. She is very patient with children and doesn't move a step when you are cleaning her. Michelle has been in our possession for over 8 years now.

Sarnau Freddy Fox (25)

Welsh Partbred gelding
Alias: Freddy
v. Pantygronw Deio
m. Sarnau Fresco
Date of birth: May 28, 1997
Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Edwards, Wales
Submitter: Joelle van Buren
Photo: Bettina Klingmüller

My handsome pony Freddy turned 25 this year and is still competing in TREC competitions. And there he still reaches the top 5! Besides that he is all-round and even my nephew of 2.5 and niece of 1 are already on him. And my nephew walks around with him. He is a real cuddle pony and everybody's friend who, at 25 years old, does not let himself be known and still likes to cross in the woods.

Wissenhof Gwin (24)

Section A studbook stallion
v. Revel Guardsman
m. Dyfed Gracious
mv. Dyfed Scamp
Born:May 14, 1998
Breeder & owner: Marc Soethaert
Photographer and submitter: Caroline Soethaert

Our dear 24 year old man Gwin, approved stud, old bloodlines, many places of honor achieved, cuddly bear first class, super character and still frisky as a young foal, all our life here and he will do so until the end, he certainly deserves his place here.

Adelheide's Falco (24)

Welsh A gelding
v. H-S Falco
m. Mona
Born: May 18, 1998
Breeder: J.G. Jeursen
Owner: M. vd Wielen
Photo: Marina Janssens-Top

Our all time greatest childhood friend Falco is 24 years old, I bought him 13 years ago for my daughter. Unfortunately, she grew and Falco did not grow with her. Fortunately, he still makes children happy and now has 3 wonderful caregivers who have learned to ride him. All this attention keeps him young. We hope we can enjoy him for years to come.

Caprie (28)

Welsh A mare
Alias: Honey
v. Flevozicht's Darky
m. Lane Nicky
Born: April 23, 1994
Breeder: G. van Lieshout, Uden
Owner: Corrie Haag
Photo: Annet Bakker

This is Honey with my niece Mieke (28 years old and 9 years old). Honey came to us when she was 6 months old. After her driving career (Z-dressage/skill) she has been retrained to a cozy children's riding and cuddling pony that we all enjoy a lot.

Meedenblik Amigo (21)

Section A gelding
Alias: Spooky
v. Ysselvliedt's Sven
m. Penvalley Cariad Fach
Born: 09 April 2001
Breeder: D and H Dijkstra
Owner/Submitter: D. Kostons
Photographer: D. Kostons

Spooky, as he is called. Amigo I bought when he was almost 3 years old, a great pony with a heart of gold, occasionally a spooky/villain. And a dirty little bugger. He is ridden 4 times a week under saddle and also for a ride in front of the carriage he does not mind. And over the years I have “shared” our little ghost with sweet girls and beautiful people. He has stolen many hearts.

Whinny's Glenda (34)

Section A mare
v. Twyford Sass
m. Genoveva
Date of birth: April 3, 1988
Breeder/Owner: Wim Tijhuis, Wilp
Submitter: Margriet Hoenink-Tijhuis

I hereby nominate our Welsh section A pony Whinny's Glenda. The photo was taken on October 23, 2022. Whinny's Glenda is the first foal born at Whinny's stable. We had a lot of fun with Glenda; *Easy to handle, *Easy to tether in both single span, 2 span, 4 span and tandem, *Glenda was a hard worker, always walked! Never took a step wrong. Glenda ran many recreational miles from age 3 to 25, never sick and never been lame. She had 2 foals, one of which son Whinny's Gilbert ran with her in the 2 and 4 span. (But this gentleman liked to express himself... the buffoon) Glenda's years are now beginning to count, until last spring she ran in the pasture together with 2 more ladies, namely Eekhoeve's Viola (1987) and Cuppers Springsong (for intimates this was Bonnie, from 1987).
Glenda still feels like it and may enjoy her retirement from us while it is still fun for her.

Sally (25)

Section A mare
v. Serock Crusader
m. Candy Hof's Marikke
Born: May 1, 1997
Breeder: W.H. Lucassen at Ventray
Owner and photo: Rilana Wemekamp

25-year-old-Sally, maybe not immediately the brightest but definitely the sweetest pony. A bit naughty that's for sure. She likes to scurry around the yard, looking for all kinds of treats. Every now and then she has some ailments and we almost had to let her go a couple of times, but she is a fighter and always gets back on her feet. But she was my father's best buddies until the very end. Even in hospice she sought him out. Gave him some more joy and comfort.

Good Hope's Kyokko (20)

Section A gelding
Alias: Benji
Father: High Flown Viper
Mother : Good Hope's Katja
date of birth: March 5, 2002
Breeder : M. Spruyt
Submitter: Sylvie Devacht
Photo: Magali Devacht

Benji is our dream pony, competed internationally for many years in 4-carriage, he is now 20 years old. We've had him for a good year now, he's enjoying his somewhat quieter old age, still enjoys carriage rides, my 5 year old son has also competed with him in driving..

In memoriam

Butterfly Copper Crown (1986 - 2022)

Family van de Voort from Ede would have loved to submit their 36-year-old NWR Butterfly Copper Crown (Ophemert's Golden Wonder out of Orchard's Copper Crown v. Naivnyi ox)) for the pageant. Unfortunately, the mare was euthanized on June 12 this year. “Over 31 years ago Butterfly came to us. A pony with character!” said Tessa van der Voort.

This in memoriam is because a deceased pony cannot enter the pageant, but we still want to honor the star mare Butterfly. The chestnut was born on June 1, 1986 at F.P.J. vd Oever in Alem.