In 2005, Cefnoakpark Bouncer, a Welsh Pony imported from Wales in 2000, took the driving world by storm when he and driver Suzy Stafford won the Individual Gold medal at the FEI Pony Driving World Championships held in Devonshire, England. The first entry from the United States to accomplish this, Bouncer and Stafford earned the best score out of 81 entries from 16 countries after only a few weeks of preparation. The duo continued to excel that year, receiving two more driving Grand Championships in the United States. Bouncer was also a Farnam-Platform/USEF Horse of the Year Finalist, nominated by the American Driving Society and the Welsh Pony Society.

A 13.3-hand black gelding, Bouncer is a Welsh Pony of Cob Type and falls into section C of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. Founded in 1901, the society recognizes four types of Welsh ponies characterized into sections A, B, C and D depending on breeding. Each type differs slightly, but still maintains the same hardiness and agility of their ancestors that survived many harsh winters in the sparse hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside.

Though the Welsh Pony has been in the United States since the 1880s, it wasn’t until 1907 that the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America was established. Now, Welsh Ponies can be found in all 50 states as well as in Canada.

Article courtesy of Breyer horses