The Royal Welsh Show held at Builth Wells, Wales, from Monday July 18 to Thursday July 21 as usual did not disappoint and the weather also played its part with mostly clear warm days for all four days.

Our prime interest is in the in-hand breed classes and in particular The Welsh Cobs (Section D) and the Welsh Ponies of Cob Type (Section C) but we could not help but notice the quality animals forward in the other two sections as well.

Once again our thanks go to Arthur Thomson for the use of so many of his photographs. Arthur and Gail Thomson own the Gayfields Stud in America and their website is www.gayfieldswelshponies.com

Section A - Welsh Mountain Pony

The judge was Mr G Wyn Jones of the Nerwyn Stud in Abergele and members may remember that he was the judge at the South African National Championhips in 2004. His Supreme Welsh Mountain pony was

Photo Arthur Thomson

Idyllic Fonteyn by Pendock Legend out of Knodishall Pandora

Section B - Welsh Pony

Here the Judge was Mrs A J Edwards of Ceredigion who had as her Supreme Welsh Pony

Photo Arthur Thomson

Paddock Sahara by Paddock Riverdance out of Paddock Pretty Polly

Section C - Welsh Pony of Cob Type

The judge originally invited fell ill and Sarah Edwards of the Cascob Stud, Powys was asked to officiate. This section had only 3 entries at the Royal Welsh Show in 1960 but this year the number of entries had swelled to 401. The Supreme Welsh Pony of Cob Type was also to go on and win the Royal Welsh Supreme in Hand as well as the Tom & Sprightly Perpetual Cup

Tycwm Abbergail by Neuaddparc Sebastian out of Gantra Lady Victoria

Both these photos by Arthur Thomson

Section D - Welsh Cob

There were 509 Cob entries and the judge Eric Davies of Maesmynach Stud in Lampeter first selected his Champion Female Cob being

Fronarth Model Lady by Derwen Desert Express out of Fronarth Welsh Model

and later the Champion and Reserve Male Cob

Photo Arthur Thomson

Champion Senior Stallion Pentrepiod Welsh Flyer by Fronarth King Flyer out of Trefaes Seren and Champion Junior Stallion Malnor Forest King by Tireinon Triple Crown out of Dearnevalley Annwen, Flyer being the Champion Male Cob

Then on to the George Prince of Wales Cup which this year was awarded for the 81st time. The Cup was awarded to the Senior Male Stallion Pentrepiod Welsh Flyer with the Senior Broodmare with foal at foot Fronarth Model Lady as Reserve.

Fronarth Model Lady, Reserve Champion Cob

George Prince of Wales Cup winner Pentrepiod Welsh Flyer with Roger Davies, joint owner and exhibitor Both these photos by Arthur Thomson

The George Prince of Wales Cup to which all Cob breeders and owners aspire

Modified: August 15, 2005