Alvesta Owain Arrives in West Virginia

Stallion prospect from Thistledown Arctic Lore's first foal crop has gone south

3-week-old Alvesta Owain, 2018 Section B foal

We purchased Owain's sire, Thistledown Arctic Lore (Thistledown Arctic Sun x Thistledown Gala Queen by Mynach Buccaneer), after visiting Sandy Anderson's stud in England in 2015.

For years, Thistledown ponies have been winning at the Royal Welsh Show and have been top earners at Fayre Oaks Sale. Sandy has a huge breeding program, spanning all four Welsh Sections, where he's amassed some of the most sought-after bloodlines.

While walking through the herds, we were impressed with a rich chestnut colt. His sire and dam were pointed out: up-to-height (13.2hh & 13.3hh), quality ponies with plenty of bone. And while there were fields of good Section Bs, we felt this colt was the best of the year—and Sandy said the same. On the plane home we named him, and upon landing, we'd spoken for him.

Yearling Alvesta Owain wins Wild Rose Futurity

Our mares are the result of generations of Alvesta breeding on their dam side, and—after owning CadlanValley Pirate for 21 years—the mares are mostly Pirate daughters and granddaughters.

In 2018, we had our first Thistledown Arctic Lore foals and were so pleased with the result. Alvesta Owain is the type we had hoped these lines would produce. Being out of Alvesta Fairy Lustre, a Pirate daughter out of Alvesta Mystique (GlanNant Adonis x Alvesta Virginia Belle by Farnley Bellringer), Owain has this line's very pretty face and gentle demeanor.

We took yearling Owain to his first show in 2019, where he went Wild Rose Youngstock Futurity Supreme Champion and Futurity Grand Champion Sport Pony. Photos and details from the 2019 show string were posted here.

Yearling Colt, Alvesta Owain

While he garnered a lot of interest, and performance folks were keen to see him ridden or driven, we felt he was also a stallion prospect. Good breed type and prettiness don't always follow height and bone, and Owain had it all, with such a lovely temperament and movement.

And so we waited for what we hoped might be the right home. We are happy to announce that Owain has arrived safe in West Virginia with Gayle Gordon, Ivyhart Farm.

Gayle plans to breed from Owain as well as have him shown and trained for the performance ring. Look for him in the Maye Show Ponies' line-up in 2020!

Owain leaves Alberta for West Virginia

Congratulations and all the best to Gayle! We look forward to watching Owain develop and come into his potential with you and your team.

To see more updates from Alvesta Farm, please visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AlvestaWelshPonies