Kasey in his winter fuzzies.

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Letters from Readers

Re: In Memoriam - Rosedale Royal Flare

I was so sad to read about Rosedale Royal Flare. He is the father of our pony, Alvesta Royal Jewel. In reading about him, I'm sure that he passed on that beautiful extended trot to our Jewel. Jewel is an exceptional pony, winning in pleasure, hunter jumping, pony jumpers, and of course breeding. She takes care of my three children who love her so very much. Flare has given my family so much in giving us Jewel. Our thoughts are with you.
Kathy Batzel
Virginia Beach, Virginia

It came as a shock to read of Flare's death. I have one of his daughters, Pajon's Royal Tartan, in my breeding program and treasure her.What an amazing career and breeding success record he leaves behind.
Marla Eden, Narnia Farms Welsh & German Sport Ponies

There seem to be a lot of purebred foals registered with the WPCSA by Rosedale Royal Flare. I don't have those registered in 2004 but before that there were 18 colts and 17 fillies! His influence should be well represented given that there are probably many more registered in Canada. Our condolences to Pat....The good ones are hard to lose but it's harder never to have had them.
Gail Thompson

Galore's Royal Elegance, a coming 4 year old mare by Flare and out of my mare, Misty Mountain Contessa (by GlanNant Adonis) is now owned by Heidi Tschida of Ponies Galore! but hung out here with us this summer to become a driving pony. Ella is just a hoot! She's a show pony to her little bones and loves it! Get all beautiful? Bring it on! Hop in the trailer? Get out of the way! Deal with all the foolishness at a show? Not a problem. Get her in the ring and she thinks that she owns it and shows you why. I showed her as a foal and that's just how she was.
     I've heard that Flare's kids are all go-getters. They like to have a stimulating job and are quite gung-ho about it ... Ella sure loves what she does! She is very aware of her cart and that pulling the cart makes her important. We had a breakdown on the road one day and had to unhitch and lead her home. She was quite bewildered for the first 100 feet - kept looking back to see where her cart went. She even stopped one time and looked at me as if to say, "Hey mom, we left the cart! We need to go back and get it!" She's VERY smart and kind. And yes, she's one elegant girl!
Donna

I have a Rosedale Royal Flare grandson that I hope is going to make me a wonderful herdsire. Thanks to Kobur Welsh and Kathleen Alves I was able to purchase Kobur Gitche Manitou late this last summer. I am very excited about him!
Lorri Elkington, Dry Creek Welsh
Milton Freewater, Oregon

What a wonderful pony who left some super stock.
     These are the true treasures lost to the welsh world in physical presence, but those who will live on through their children and grandchildren, for the benefit of many enthusiasts and breeders to yet to come. That is what we hope for in our breed.
     Truly great welsh ponies are never forgotten, and are etched into the minds of those who had the pleasure of knowing them or seeing them in the flesh.
    We never "own" these sorts of ponies either, I guess we are their guardians, and what a wonderful lifetime experience and privilege it is to be guardians of truly beautiful animals.
May he live on forever......Kind Regards
Melanie
Ascot Stud - Australia

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The Spring Cliché

Mmmm, spring. Don't you just love that first day of real sunshine? Perhaps those of you who are more fortunate to be farther south are well into the season, as I write this in early March, but we here in Edmonton have just had a bonifide beautiful spring day. I know my brother in North Dakota has been walking around in t-shirts for quite a while now and I'm definitely jealous.

It seems like a cliché to talk of spring as a time of new beginnings, but as things gear up for another full summer, the hopes of the season ahead are almost tangible in the air. Perhaps you are eagerly awaiting this year's foal crop, or watching a promising youngster shed out of their winter woolies into something truly exciting. Or, you may be waiting for the universal blessing of horsemen everywhere - fair weather and an end to mud.

Maybe you feel, as I sometimes do, that half the summer is just about gone with all the planning that's already gone into it. Whatever happened to two full months with absolutely nothing to do? Whatever happened to being bored by the end of August? Between friends’ weddings, finishing a university degree, having a small business and a part-time job, and challenging my EC Coach Level 1 test, there's an awful lot on the plate. Mixed in with all of that, I'm hoping to get Kasey started with some jumping and take him to a few schooling shows this summer. Right now that seems like a monumental task, involving lessons and training funds that may or may not come through. But I guess that's why I've worked so hard to have horses while I finish university - they’re my counter-balance; they remind me that I should take one day at a time, that there is pleasure in accomplishing simple tasks, and that we should all take a few minutes to enjoy the sunshine.

Here's to the season ahead.

Christy

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