Post by katlyn on Jan 28, 2006 19:09:52 GMT -5
After searching for over a year, Jen Sommer of Sommer Pony Farm, traveled to Gayfields Welsh Ponies in the autumn of 2000. There she found Gayfields Silver Sprocket, a brown dun (going gray) weanling colt, by *Sleight of Hand and out of Gayfields Silverado. By observing his color transformation through the seasons, Sprocket is suspected to be a roan. The truth of this will show itself once his foals start arriving in the spring of 2003. We expect great things from this colt, judging from his family tree. His mother is the dam of Gayfields Mona L, at Rollingwoods Farm in Olive Branch, Mississippi , and his full sister is Gayfields Runaround Sue, at Clovercroft Welsh Ponies in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee . Both of these mares are producers of champion hunter ponies. Since temperament is so highly heritable, we spent a great deal of time with Sprocket before deciding if we wanted him to be a breeding stallion. He was sent to the trainer the winter of his two-year-old year to learn if he "had it in him" to be sensible and trainable. We were elated at the results! He was quick to learn and did his work with enthusiasm. He has been the easiest pony to work around, even for my non-pony husband, Jeff. After handling several "nut-case" stallions at school, I am amazed how calm and manageable Sprocket is, even in the breeding shed. So he has the mental qualities we were hoping for, but what about physical quality? Not only does Sprocket possess the willing attitude we were looking for, but he is also a brilliant mover. We were so surprised when our trainer called us one day to ask if Sprocket was for sale. Apparently, a hunter/jumper trainer saw him moving in the round pen and was ready to load him on their trailer that day. My greatest compliment, though, came from my own trainer. He said to me, "I wish I could get my big horses to move as well as Sprocket." We are excited to have this lovely stallion who typifies the desirable qualities in Section B Welsh ponies. Sprocket will be standing at public stud in 2006.
