Vervale Gabbana

(photo by kind permission of Milli Peel)

This super little stallion is owned and bred by Barry Shepherd (Vervale Stud) and is described by his breeder as "special from the day he was born. A scopey pony, with a chiselled head and large set eyes, high arched neck set into strong shoulder, short back and powerful hindquarters completes this superb package" and "the jewel in the crown" and I am hard to add anything! Gabbana is my favourite welsh section A stallion and has been the template upon which I have based my section As. As a yearling he was unbeaten except for the Royal Welsh where he came twelfth, after a year to mature, he was named supreme champion on his first outing and then qualified for the Cuddy Breeders Challenge at his second show. He duly went to HOYS and was the top placed native. His in hand career is exceptional and includes countless superme championships and red rosettes, culminating in 2008 when he won the senior stallion class at the Royal Welsh, the male championship and then the Overall Section A championship. He is truly a very special pony. Gabbana is a full brother to our own Vervale Rara's sire Vervale Gangster. He by the Supreme Champion stallion Springbourne Caraway, who needs no introduction and out of the lovely mare Blanche Glimmer (Springbourne Boy Blue x Blanche Gemma). We are very lucky to have been able to add Glimmers sister, Blanche Glisten to the stud where she joins Vervale Rara as a foundation mare.  

Taraco Stud, Canterbury, Kent

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