She was successful as a youngster in the show ring, winning Champion Youngstock Cob at the NI Welsh 2006. Following is a photo of her in the show ring.
Her very proud owners are Greg and Siwan Shaw of Taumaranui. Siwan bred cobs in Wales before emigrating out to NZ. Evelyns first home with Greg and Siwan was at Raurimu Station at the top of the famous Raurimu Spiral. The spiral is a feat of engineering so that the Main Trunk Line can gain altitude rapidly. In the next photo Siwan stands with Evelyn as a yearling in front of Mount Ruapehu on the massive plateau that runs to the bottom of the volcanoes. You can sure see the weather coming up there!
Nowadays Siwan and Greg farm 1000 acres further into the Taumaranui back country. When Evelyn reached 4 years old Greg had her broken in by a guy who actually knew what a Welsh cob was, I didnt hear what the fellas name was but its great to hear that more people know the breed. Anyway, she took to riding like a duck to water and Greg rides her round the farm now.
I imagine there are some discussions in the kitchen in the morning as to who is going to ride Evelyn that day. Siwan wrote "I was on Greg's stock horse Saphire and he was on Evelyn. I was very tempted to swap after an hour as she was better behaved than Saphire. Evelyn is amazing, she does not put a foot wrong. She has been turned out all winter so today was the 3rd time Greg had ridden her again, we were up and down very steep terrain and even a couple of jumps.
The next photo is of Greg riding her shortly after being backed in April 2009.
Evelyn is a perfect example of the fabulous Welsh cob, at home anywhere. Well done with bringing on your fabulous Welsh cob and we'd love more photos and stories of Back country Evelyn when you've got the time.