The Story of *Parc Dainty

(or you CAN go back home again...)

*PARC DAINTY (Lyn Cwmcoed x Parc Danna) '82 section C liver chestnut mare.

Dainty's story begins in 1995 when we were looking for C mares to start our breeding program.  We contacted Kathy Reese In Arkansas and she sent us a video of her lovely stock which included Dainty.  We couldn't get her out of our minds - big movement, Welsh character and type all packed into her little 12h pony body.  Kathy had imported her as a foal from the Parc stud in Wales.  She'd had a few foals but section Cs were still relatively scarce in N. America.  We knew her bloodlines were quite sought after, she is the only Lyn Cwmcoed offspring in our country and her dam was a Synod William daughter - couldn't get much better than that!   And she was so CUTE!  We had to have her.

Dainty proved to be all we could have wished for.  Not too long after she arrived with us we took her to a Welsh show on Vancouver Island, BC which was being judged by Dr. Wynn Davies.  Not only did she win Grand Champion Cob but he used her in his clinic to illustrate "Welsh type" and pronounced she was a "gold mine" because of her breeding.

We showed Dainty extensively those first couple of years both in-hand, in harness, pleasure and CDE and under saddle & over fences.  She was so quick in the cart that she was undefeated in obstacle driving.  Her first foal for us arrived in '96 by our stallion N. Forks Sir Oliver Blakeslee.  An exquisite liver chestnut colt who we named "Lascaux Local Hero".  He was the first in a line of 5 colts the two produced for us.  "Hero" began making his own mark in the show ring winning Supreme and Reserve Supreme titles in addition to many Grand Championships.  After 5 BOYS however we decided we needed to produce a filly to carry on Dainty's line for us.  "Oliver" had had his chance so we tried her with *Popster's Mr. Moffatt in '04 and she produced a liver chestnut filly (Lascaux Jane Doe).  The following year we put her with *Popsters Mr. Bojangles and she again produced a filly - this time a palomino.  Both these fillies are retained at Lascaux.

Dainty was now 24 and although she was sound and robust as the day she came to us at 13 years old, we decided she was ready to retire and enjoy her golden years.  Then out of the blue we are contacted by "Kris" asking if we would like to sell her?  I would have never considered it except Kris is in the UK and wants Dainty because she can no longer find her coveted bloodlines in the UK!  After a number of emails back and forth I find that Kris is indeed serious about Dainty and would provide her with a wonderful, loving and forever home.  What do I think Dainty would choose?  To go back to her homeland of course and live out her days on the rolling green hills of her birth!

Dainty left on a warm evening in July on a trailer ride down to southern California to catch a plane to Europe before her final trip back to her "old" new home.  She arrived a week or so later in good condition and I'm sure happy to be home. 

The latest and greatest news is the Dainty is EXPECTING!  Yes, she was bred to Parvadean Gelert for a late summer baby!!  We have our fingers crossed for this foal.  No doubt it will make a lasting impression in the section C gene pool BACK in the UK.  We hope Dainty's legacy will live on both here and there, she will always be the most precious mare to us.  Thank you to Kris and Olde World Stud for taking care of this treasured mare for the rest of her life!

Stay tuned for news to come!

Dainty leaves for her trip (trying not to cry)                          Dainty arrives in the UK and meets Kris!

Dainty gets a make over - look at all that green grass!!                  Winter '07 "Snow? I thought I left that in Washington! 

                                                                                                            And who is this guy with the yummy nose?"