Battle of the Breeds - Team Welsh Pony & Cob Profiles
Courtesy Spruce Meadows

444 Vista Avalon, 8-year-old grey mare.
Rider/Owner Celia Allpress, Cowichan Bay BC

Celia Allpress rode Welsh Ponies as a child and, more than forty years later, continues her association with this hardy and spirited breed. Her initial encounter with the Welsh was at the EP Ranch, located in the beautiful Alberta foothills not far from her family's ranch, Bew's Y Cross Ranch. In 1961, when the Prince of Wales sold the famous EP herd, Celia's father purchased Pentwyn Candy, a Section A bay mare. Vista Avalon, an eight-year-old Section B mare, is a descendant of this remarkable EP bloodline. Bred at the Quorn Ranch near Okotoks, 'Avey's' gentle temperament and willingness to learn have enabled her to excel in both dressage and jumping.

Celia currently trains ponies to ride and drive with her main interest being three-day eventing and derby competition.

445 Gallod Syr Gwynfor, 9-year-old bay gelding.
Rider/Owner Lei Broadstone, Medical Lake, Washington, USA

Gallod Syr Gwynfor, known as “Fory”, is a 9 year old, 14.3hh bay Section D Welsh Cob gelding. He was bred at the Gallod stud in Manitoba and born to two imported UK cobs. Lei has owned him since he was 3. She has started him in English, driving, and Western. In 2001 Fory was the US National Champion Western Pleasure Cob. Since then, Fory and Lei have been jumping, doing dressage, and eventing. They qualified for their region's Eventing Championships at Novice level in 2002. Lei and her husband breed and show Welsh Sections C & D under their prefix “Lascaux.”

446 Stimson's Highland Piper, 16-year-old grey gelding.
(Rosedale Flamenco x Pendock Puccini)
Driver Lee McLean/Owner Lenore McLean, High River AB

Lee McLean and Highland Piper are a familiar sight in the carriage driving scene. Since winning at the Alberta Horse Improvement Program as a young pony, 16 year old Piper, with Lee at the reins, has been a regular winner in Combined Driving competitions and at pleasure driving shows.

Piper, who by day is a mild-mannered kids' pony, counts among his achievements the Pony Championship at the Calgary Carriage Showcase and Best Overall at the Calgary Int'l Combined Driving Event - three years in a row!

Lee concedes that her own lineage does not compare to her pony’s, as Piper is descended from the Welsh Ponies owned by Edward, Prince of Wales. Coming out of retirement as a last minute entry, this is Piper's first involvement with Team Welsh Pony & Cob at the TELUS Battle of the Breeds.

Both Lee and Piper reside on the McLean Ranch one hour southwest of Calgary.

447 Young's Expensive Hobby, 12-year-old bay stallion.
Rider Tammy Blewett/Owner Kim Hyde, Surrey BC

Tammie Blewett fell in love with ponies when she was a teenager and owner of Leys Laurus, a 13.2hh Connemara. Living in Devon, England, Tammie had the chance to ride in a variety of disciplines and eventually went to college in England to complete a horse management program. A variety of jobs in the horse industry in England gave her a broad knowledge base to work from. When her childhood sweetheart Dave Blewett reappeared, they married and moved to Canada, where Tammie began working at Unicorn Stables in Surrey BC. She is now a co-owner of the stables, certified coach, and an accomplished rider and whip.

Hobby and Tammie first met when Hobby came to Unicorn Stables for driving training in 2001. It was love at first sight, and Hobby has lived there ever since. They have taught each other a great deal and had several successful seasons in harness. Hobby has also shown under saddle and loves to gallop cross country. The two compete in both combined driving and three day events in Canada and the USA.