by Angharad Evans, Welsh Language Communications Officer
It's been a month since we enjoyed the Royal Welsh Show and I'm sure we all have our memories, but for one Welsh cob breeder and an FUW member from Carmarthenshire, Royal Welsh Show 2023 will be a very memorable one.
Meirion Evans from Cynwyl Elfed won the Welsh Cob Stallions Main Championship with Gwynfaes Seren Wledig. Cornel Clecs had the opportunity to chat with Meirion recently, and to ask exactly what it was like to win such a prestigious title.
Here’s Meirion to explain more: “As a dairy farmer and a Welsh cob breeder, I always look forward to the Royal Welsh and in particular the cobs on the Wednesday afternoon,” explains Meirion. “However, this year the morning was even more important as we celebrated Caleb’s 18th birthday at 04:30, before completing the milking and travelling to the Royal Welsh.
“What followed, made an already special day even more remarkable for us as a family. Our 12-year-old stallion Gwynfaes Seren Wledig, produced by Dorian and Michelle Lloyd of the Perthog Stud won the senior Stallion class for a second time.
“Winning the male championship and a WPCS gold medal was extraordinary but to then win the prestigious George Prince of Wales Cup meant that both Seren Wledig and his sire Gwynfaes Culhwch have now won this coveted trophy. It was a very special day for both Caleb and Seren Wledig that would not have happened without Caleb’s intervention.
“As a foal, I had agreed to sell Seren to Canada as one of two foals to make a driving pair but Caleb, who was five at the time, was insistent that he was not to be sold as he was special “mae e’n Seren”. Consequently, an alternative was found and sent to Canada in his place and the rest is history.
“Seren Wledig returned to the main ring on Thursday to compete in the championships. To win the Supreme In-hand Championship and the HOYS qualifier is such a privilege but to then top it all with the Supreme Champion of the Show and to be the first Welsh Cob to achieve this is an accolade we could never ever have dreamt of.“
“He was a glowing winner. He was enjoying his job and was full of health.” said supreme judge Sam Waley-Cohen and the overall in-hand judge, Sue Keylock added: “He was a magnificent cob. He was fit, not fat, and was a great ambassador for the Welsh with his clean limbs and hocks.”
“To top it all off, both his sire Gwynfaes Culhwch won the RWAS Section D Sire Ratings and his dam Gwynfaes Elliw won the RWAS Section D Dam Ratings,” added Meiron.
“Since 2002, I didn’t think there could be a day to compete with being in the main ring, winning the George Prince of Wales Cup and qualifying for HOYS with Culhwch.
However watching Seren power his way through the day with the crowd vocal in their support was truly incredible as his breeder along with seeing two of his fillies standing 2nd and 3rd in the 3 year old filly class.”
I’m sure you’ll agree that that was a very special day for Meirion and the rest of the family, and as a Union we are proud of your success.
All the best in the future and we look forward to hearing more about Gwynfaes Seren Wledig - this is only the beginning of the story!