Lapstone Paragon

(photo Spring 2007)

Paragon (n.) 1. a model of excellence; 2. a person or thing that is perfect or has an unusually large amount of a particular good characteristic.

Owned by Mrs S Loudon.  This stunning old stallion well and truly lives up to his name and is a model of excellence in both type and temperament. He is beautifully bred and is by the fantastic stockgetter Springbourne Blue Boy a stunning Supreme International Champion stallion and out of the superb Supreme Champion mare Churchwood Portia. He is a wonderful example of a welsh mountain pony with short cannons and excellent bone combined with a beautiful head and fantastic movement (although at 16 years old his primary focus is ladies and grass so moving isnt top of the agenda any more!). Lightly shown with great success as a youngster he was a prolific winner and Champion (including 2nd at the RWAS as a youngster). He has spent much of his life at Coringwould Stud and has recently moved to Marsh Stud who are expecting his first foals this year. He has a great temperament and is regularly ridden in show jumping and fun classes - although rumour has it he finds this all far too energetic. Having had 3 fantastic foals by Vervale Grenade, I was looking for another stallion to try over Vervale Rara when I found Lapstone Paragon. Although not standing at public stud, I was really thrilled when Shan kindly agreed to let me borrow him to cover Rara with this Spring.

His pedigree is exceptional with his sire, Springbourne Boy Blue (exported to Canada in 1991) a big winner in harness and in hand for his Canadian owners. Paragon was one of the  last foals before this super stallion was lost to Canada. In turn Boy Blue's sire Breachwood Marwyn was a fantastic stallion that stood at Springbourne Stud for 4 years. He won many championships including Supreme Champion at the Royal Welsh in 1989, Champion Northleach 1986, Supreme Champion Shropshire and West Midland Show 1987, Champion Royal Show and Reserve Wembley Qualifier 1987. Boy Blue's dam was also a successful show mare including Champion at Northleach Show in 1984. His pedigree features too many top stallions and mares to mention them all: Supreme Champion Springbourne Boy Blue (exported to Canada); Supreme Champion Rondeels Pengwyn (RWAS winner - exported to New Zealand); Supreme Champion Churchwood Portia (RWAS winner); Supreme Champion Churchwood Promise; Champion Barton Bluebell (Northleach Champion); Springbourne Halwyn (Champion and Medal winning stallion) and some well known greats such as Penual Mark and Revel Jeeves.

I am extremely excited about Rara's first foal by him which will hopefully be expected in 2008.  

Taraco Stud, Canterbury, Kent

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