| Crossways Stud in Shropshire was founded in 1921. It has bred its foundation stock from the original Stretton Hill ponies. The stud has had prize winners throughout the decades. The ponies have been bred for quality and movement, many have been exported worldwide. |
| Some of our famous ponies amongst many include: |
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Mr. Dick Swain of Crossways Stud joined the WPC in 1949, but had bred and registered
his Welsh ponies for many years previously. One of the first to be registered
under the Crossways prefix was Crossways Dora (f.1921) By Mathrafal Rascal (f.1914)
out of Council Diamond (f.1908) by Stretton Torchlight (f.1902). Stretton Torchlight
was one of the most famous within the family. Dyoll Starlight x Star 1, bred by Daniel Price of Llangadog. Council Diamond, was from the local stud of Richard Harvey whose father worked for the County Council. One of the most successful of all the Crossways ponies of the last decade was Crossways Sonic Lady (f.1987 sired by Crossways Rebel (son of Royal Welsh champion Crossways Merle) out of Crossways Dusty, g-dam Crossways Dimple (f.1958) g-g-dam Crossways Diana (f. 1948) g-g-g-dam: Crossways Diamond (f. 1940) daughter of the original Crossways Dora (f. 1921) An interesting fact about this family descended from the black Mathrafal Rascal, is that they are all blacks or chestnuts, independent of the colour of the stallions used. Typical of this family was the black Crossways Liberty Girl (f. 1968) champion at the 1976 Shropshire Show after which she topped the September sale of 62 ponies at 850 gns to Gerwyn James. In 1958 Mr. Swain sold three Crossways filly foals to Mrs. Rimington Wilson of the Rowfant Stud and when they were offered for Sale at Hay-on-Wye in October 1961, Mr Swain went there to buy back Crossways Dimple. Also amongst the Rowfant consignment that day was a dark grey three year old filly, Ready Token Glen Bride, which no one seemed to want and Mr. Swain bought her for only 80 gns. Glen Bride for Crossways Stud was Royal Welsh female champion in 1968 and dam of Crossways Merle. Also when Glen Bride was bought in 1961 she was in foal to Marsh Crusader and in 1962 produced Crossways Empress, who was almost unbeaten in the show ring. It was Empress's daughter Crossways Indian Queen who topped the sale at 2,200 gns. The 1989 sale was a fantastic success, 34 ponies selling for £25,168 that was exceptional when one considers that 13 of the 34 lots were foals. Owing to his ill health Mr. Swain sold 12 ponies in the 2000 Fayre Oaks sale, but the Crossways Stud will continue under the Crossways prefix of son Glyn and his wife Gill. |
