New ponies from Scotland have arrived!!! - NEW Photos Post 36!

[rideagoldenpony]

As some of you know, we travelled to Scotland back in May and selected three new Section B Welsh ponies to be part of our breeding program.

Well.... they have finally arrived this morning!! The waiting was just torture -- I was just tied in a knot by the time they actually got here! So nervous about whether or not I'd done the right thing, what if my husband didn't like them, what if they were smaller than I remembered, what if they lost a ton of weight, what if they didn't get here at ALL!?!?!?!?!? If you can think of the "what if", I had the thought! LOL

Whew.

I can breathe now! They are here and they are fabulous! I'm so excited!!!

The new arrivals are:
*Wedderlie Marmaduke - yearling Section B Welsh colt (bay)
*Waxwing Martini - yearling Section B filly (palomino)
*Mynach Manilla - 3 year old Section B mare (bay)

I'm attaching a few pictures from today, but you can see the whole story at http://www.welshponies.com/scotland.htm

I had a super hard time arranging transport home from Canada for them. It was just one hang up after another -- everything from one poor guy having someone hit his (empty) trailer to one that was going to park them someplace for a few days while they delivered elsewhere (wasn't going to work for me) to a guy that quoted me a price of $11,500 to bring them from Ontario to Oregon!!!

I ended up using Performance Horse Transport, and they were absolutely WONDERFUL. The ponies are FAT and were very obviously well taken care of on what ended up being a 9 day trip home from Ontario. I got an e-mail every morning with how they were and where they were at that time, it was great. The drivers were fantastic -- really nice horse people. I'd definitely recommend them!

Oh happy day!

[VirginiaBred]

Now you can breath!!!!!!!


Congratulations!!! :cool:

[Daydream Believer]

Congrats! They are lovely! I know you are feeling better now they are home safely. My weanling stallion prospect colt was shipped this time last year from S. Dakota and he spent over 6 days in route due to bad weather and delays. I was a basket case by the time he finally got here.

[kookicat]

Oh, they are lovely. :D How are they settling in? If I know my Welshies, they'll have been straight in at the food. :winkgrin: :)

[Molly Malone]

Quite quite lovely! Congratulations!

[SuperSTB]

Congrats!!!

I love welsh ponies :)

[Zu Zu]

WOW ! What lovely additons ~ you have selected !!! Too Cool !!! I am IMPRESSED !!!! Congratulations !!!! Had to look a second time beautiful ponies !!!!

[dmalbone]

You're killing me! They are ADORABLE. Just wonderful. I'm still in my eternal welsh pony vs. lipizzan debate and your horses make it so hard. :P

[Arab/WBGirl]

Ohhhhhh I want the bay colt. He is a dreamboat. Good Job and congrats on your new babies arriving safely.
Dawn

[Sabovee]

I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures and description of your trip!! The ponies are STUNNING.
Good luck with your new additions. :)

[quicksilverponies]

Congrats, Gretchen! They look great - I am so glad they have safely arrived! Best of luck with them!

[SilverBalls]

Awesome! Congrats!

[Lesley Feakins]

Congratulations!

They look terrific...have fun with them.

[MistyBlue]

WOW! Just loooked through your trip to Scotland photos and you got to see all that fantastic scenery and all those fantastic ponies and then got to bring some home????????????
I'm not even sure I can describe my level of envy right now. :winkgrin:
Congrats on your new additions, all are fabulous.

[vita_impavida]

Congrats!!! They are so beautiful! I completely enjoyed reading the story and all of the pictures, so thank you so much for sharing!!!

They are so stunning!

[Sugarbrook]

I was thrilled to see your new additions. They look like they moved from one pasture to another, not the long trip they came on. Don't you love good shippers.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! I am happy for you.

[Dressage_Diva333]

CONGRATULATIONS GRETCHEN!

What lovely additions, you must be so relieved to finally have them home safe and sound. How exciting, I must say that I am extradordinarly jealous though!

Can't wait for the show season to start up next year to see little Marmaduke in the flesh :D

[Halfhalting]

The ponies are gorgeous!!! Please post more pictures - preferably WITH the cowboy in them!!! :) :) :)

[EquusMagnificus]

I am so envious! :) They are GORGEOUS! You have very good taste... :)

[Fancy That]

I thoroughly enjoyed your Scotland story and pics especially! You must be so relieved they are home safe and sound (and they don't look any worse for the wear!!??)

I'm in love with Marmaduke!!!!!!!! He's so typey, correct and just my all-time-favorite color (bay with tons of chrome)

You have such a beautiful herd and admiral breeding program. Congrats to you!

[Summerwood]

Congratulations Gretchen! I am very jealous! Thank you for sharing your trip photos--Scotland looks absolutely beautiful. Best of luck with your new babies!!:)

[llsc]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Scotland looks amazing as do your new ponies. I have to say that I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful animal than Eyarth Beau Geste. He's absolute equine perfection!!!

[ponylover2008]

I am green with envy! I might have to buy one of their babies from you soon!

[rideagoldenpony]

Thank you all SO MUCH for your kind posts and PM's!

I'm SO, SO excited! I just got in from the barn -- and I'm happy to say I still love them this morning! LOL

Marmaduke is SO like Mardi Gras when he arrived -- very bold and friendly and completely confident that you think the world of him! He has a long THICK mane, and I can't wait to pull it! Hopefully he won't object, because it is going to be QUITE the project!

The girls seem tired today, but are so sweet. We are busy on a house renovation right now, so it's very quiet and peaceful out at the barn -- a nice time for them to recuperate from their travels!

[Cinnybren]

Oh my!! What wonderful ponies! I really enjoyed your trip to Scotland overview...what fun, I am as green as those luch pastures with envy! LOL!

Congratulations.

[Thomas_1]

Fantastic ponies and related to some of mine too.

You were only staying about 30 miles from my farm too.

You could have called in for a wee dram ;)

[rideagoldenpony]

Fantastic ponies and related to some of mine too.

You were only staying about 30 miles from my farm too.

You could have called in for a wee dram ;)

Lucky you, Thomas! I thought that was the most beautiful countryside I have EVER seen!!!

I will call you next time. ;)

[Thomas_1]

Please do...... You'd be very welcome.

It is indeed a beautiful part of the world. VERY unspoilt and with friendly genuine folks who make you feel welcome.

I don't know when you were there or if you got chance to absorb the whole culture of horsemanship and the border common rides? Or did your hosts tell you all about it?

[rideagoldenpony]

Please do...... You'd be very welcome.

It is indeed a beautiful part of the world. VERY unspoilt and with friendly genuine folks who make you feel welcome.

I don't know when you were there or if you got chance to absorb the whole culture of horsemanship and the border common rides? Or did your hosts tell you all about it?

That would be fun! I will definitely do that on our next trip, which I hope will be early next May.

We were unfortunately there only a short time - 5 days, which was of course not nearly enough. I met up with a good friend who happened to be there at the same time, and we went to the Peebles Hydro Stables and paid to go for a ride -- but we had an absolutely wonderful time and got to see a spectacular view! I would love to ride more on the next trip -- I'm hoping that we will be able to be away from home a bit longer -- I'd like to spend a couple of weeks there to do a bit more exploring. There is so much to see!

I have not heard about border common rides. Tell me more!

[BEARCAT]

Wonderful recollection and photos of your trip - thanks for sharing. And yes, I had heard of a ha-ha. There is a novel by that name that you should read now that you've actually seen one in person!

[Cartier]

Loved the journal of your trip… and wow, what beautiful ponies. Thanks for sharing with us and best of luck with them in the future. :)

[hluing]

Wonderful news. Enjoy the ponies;)

[Jessi P]

Loved reading about your trip to Scotland and the ponies are to die for! You lucky duck you. :) And when can we expect Mr Marmaduke to be taking up his studly duties? Inquiring minds want to know. :yes::winkgrin::D:yes::winkgrin::D

[Mo's Mom]

Wonderful story, beautiful ponies. I am glad the arrived safely. I am looking forward to following their careers. :D

[Whitehedge Farm]

Marmaduke is a doll! Congrats on him!!

[rideagoldenpony]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments and e-mails!

The ponies are settling in well, and had their first turnout today. It was fun to watch them play! I took some pictures -- you can see more on the individual links, but I'm attaching a couple too. :-)

*Wedderlie Marmaduke:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042480&id=1539386724&l=4f5f632c71

*Mynach Manilla:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042476&id=1539386724&l=a65ed1d52e

*Waxwing Martini:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042477&id=1539386724&l=97732e3fb4

Thank you everyone for sharing in our excitement!!!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

What an incredibly fun trip that would have been--plus you have the added bonus of lovely ponies!! I'm a bit sad--always wanted a pony!

Congrats!!!

[stoicfish]

I'm with the Pumpkn. Always wanted a pony, and those are just lovely!!

[rideagoldenpony]

What an incredibly fun trip that would have been--plus you have the added bonus of lovely ponies!! I'm a bit sad--always wanted a pony!

You're never too old for a pony!!! ;)

[Thomas_1]

I have not heard about border common rides. Tell me more!

Have a look at this posting which gives further details about the history of horsemanship in the area.

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3027014&highlight=burly#post3027014

[Royal Monaco]

OMG they are beautiful !
I always dreamed of having a poney. Now that my daughter is born, I can't wait for the day she will ask me to have a poney !
I'll have a look at your ponies for sure !

[LynneK]

It is so exciting when new horses arrive!! They look beautiful.
When I opened your post I expected to see that they had just arrived in Seattle by air. I just had two horses arrive on Tuesday from Germany via Luxembourg that had to fly to Seattle first to drop off some horses there.

[kypeep]

Adorable, adorable, adorable! And loved the Scotland photos and trip blog as well!

[stolensilver]

Lovely photos. Those are proper little Welshies! :)

[Mo's Mom]

Do you mind if I keep checking for more pics? Or maybe I could just ask? Pretty please? :D

[back in the saddle]

:winkgrin: So... what did you husband think?

[rideagoldenpony]

:winkgrin: So... what did you husband think?

He said.... that he really, really hated that he had to admit it, but that I had done a great job picking them out! His favorite is the colt.

Whew. That was a relief!

Thanks everyone for your kind words!

[MandyVA]

I hope you saw the disclaimer when you posted, that says that "by posting a thread with pictures of ridiculously cute ponies that everyone else will covet, you agree that it's only fair that you post new pictures of the ponies at least once a day." It's there, you had to check the box before you posted. So, we'll be checking for new pictures every day.

[Mo's Mom]

What she said....:yes::yes::yes:

[Coppers mom]

Congratulations! They are just stunning!

I was looking through your journal of the trip, and I just have to know... HOW did you not just shove every single one of those ponies in your pocket and take them home?! Every single one of them are just gorgeous! You clearly have more self control than I :lol:

[Faircourt]

Beautiful additions to your program! Congratulations!