Farchynys Cristal 

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Cristal - is a girl's name thought to originate from an English expression meaning "Crystal"; the English word "crystal" is derived from the Greek krystallos, meaning "ice". From day one we have nicknamed her 'Cleo' which is a diminuitive form of the name Cleopatra Compound name composed of the elements kleos (fame, glory) and patros (father) meaning "of a famous father" which is quite appropriate for a mare by the great little stallion Coed Coch Pele!

This beautiful mare was the start of it all in 1998, the true 'foundation mare' of my stud! Having spent a year searching unsuccessfully for a palomino welsh cob as a riding mare, I accompanied some friends to the local horse market where I promptly fell in love with Cleo. She was neither palomino nor a welsh cob and as a youngster in a sale I was strongly advised of the lunacy of even considering buying her! However, when the hammer went down she was mine and I have never regretted it once in 10 years. She is not only a beautiful old fashioned type of section B, combining bone, depth and action like the old welsh ponies, but she is the kindest mare you could ever find. She is by the lovely section B stallion Coed Coch Pele and out of a proper welsh pony mare, Bleanhills Clarion and is superbly bred on both sides.

She spent her first few years having foals for me - a lovely part-bred filly, Taraco Eclipse, who was a chunkier version of her dam (in Ireland); a lovely TB cross filly, Taraco Emerald, who is now doing show jumping in Scotland and a fantastic little section C gelding, Taraco Ebony, who is every kids dream. She then went out on loan to be ridden for a few years which she took to like a duck to water! She happily turned her hoof to everything from cross country and hunter trials to dressage and in hand and then came home in April 2007 to resume life as a broodmare for me. Thank you to Helen for doing so well with her under saddle! In 2008 she had a beautiful coloured filly by the superb little traditional stallion 'Shorty' - Taraco Enchantress, Cleo's first foal for several years, is an absolute delight.  

Taraco Stud, Canterbury, Kent

A small stud specialising in breeding quality palomino and buckskin welsh ponies and cobs