The first of Imperial Stud’s Welsh Mountain Ponies, Kidwell Pipson(imp)was imported in 1976. The son of Clan Pip and out of Revel Tiffin, he won many show ring awards in the UK. Not long after his arrival in Australia, he was Supreme Champion at The Sydney Royal Easter Show. In the following years, he won many Championships and became a successful sire. 

1976 was also the year of the famous Brierwood Stud’s dispersal sale. Mark had visited the stud several times and had admired Revel Pye, also a son of Clan Pip and out of Revel Pinup. Revel Pye had been a great producing stallion and I decided that he, too, should come to Australia. He was unfortunately only with Imperial for a few seasons before his untimely death. He did, however, leave a number of good broodmares. Mark was able to purchase a son, Weston Hoopla (Imp), a few years later and he brought some different bloodlines via his dam Twyford Diamond. 

The main influence on Imperial Stud’s Welsh Mountain Ponies has been Waxwing Herrod (Imp). Imported in 1984 after winning the Lloyd’s Bank Supreme Exhibit of Show at The Royal of England as a yearling, Herrod was by Cantref Glory of mainly Criban breeding and out of Revel Hetty, who had two crosses to Clan Pip. Waxwing Herrod has become one of the leading sires in Australia, winning the Sires Rating award on many occasions, with winning progeny in all states. 

Imperial Stud has used several of Waxwing Herrod’s sons, including Imperial Maestro from Imperial Madonna (Coed Coch Planed), Imperial Consul from Revel Casket, Imperial Cyrus from Revel Claribel, Imperial Caruso from Coedyfoel Candy by Brierwood Fullback, and Imperial Lookout from Nattai Ladylike by Coed Coch Bari. 

Mark had always been an admirer of the Revel Stud and on one of his many visits, he encountered Revel Spinning Top (Imp). Finally, Mark convinced Emrys to sell him to Imperial. Revel Spinning Top (Imp) was by Revel Humming Top from Revel Sequoia. Mark had purchased Sequoia 12 years earlier but had been unable to get her in foal, so she was returned. She obviously preferred the hills of Wales. 

The young sire, Imperial Boston by Revel Spinning Top (Imp), is producing outstanding stock. Other stallions in use at the stud include Imperial Baledur, Imperial Passtime, Imperial Castaway, Imperial Franco, Imperial Becharmed, Delami Logan (Imp) and Imperial Nevada. 

Imperial first imported Welsh Mountain mares in 1975. Mark had always admired Coed Coch Planed’s mares at the Royal Welsh. He found Bengad Myrtle (Imp), a daughter of Planed, at the Weston Stud. Not only was she a daughter of Planed, but a granddaughter of Coed Coch Glyndwr, and she had a filly foal at foot by a son of Coed Coch Madog. Bengad Myrtle (Imp)’s most outstanding daughter was Imperial Madonna by Revel Pye (Imp).  

Imperial Stud’s main focus was on the Revel mares, which crossed extremely well with Waxwing Herrod (Imp). There were quite a number of them, including Revel Bow-Belle, Casket, Claribel Ceinwen, Helena, Jocelyn, Patsy, Prank and Soprano. The bloodlines of five of these mares still exist in the stud today. 

Revel Prank was purchased as a foal. The last foal of Clan Peggy, a full sister to the legend Clan Pip. Her sire was the successful Revel Janus by Clan Pip. This family is the largest in the stud. Prank and her daughters crossed extremely well with Waxwing Herrod (Imp) and were then put to Imperial Boston, a son of Revel Spinning Top (Imp). Prank also produced Imperial Pranc by Revel Spinning Top (Imp) and her daughter Poplyn by Kidwell Pipson (Imp) produced Imperial Passtime, also by Revel Spinning Top (Imp). 

One of Mark’s favorite mares was Revel Soprano (Imp) by Revel Society (who went to South Africa) and out of Revel Sing-Hi. Her granddaughter by Revel Spinning Top (Imp) was AI’d to Waxwing Herrod (Imp) producing a lovely filly. 

Several of our best show mares came from the Revel Helena (Imp) line. She was by Revel Chip and out of Revel Heulyn. Imperial Harlyn and Hyfryd  – both by Waxwing Herrod (Imp) – were very successful show mares. 

The mares Revel Casket (Imp) and Revel Claribel (Imp) have carried their bloodlines forward through the two sons of Waxwing Herrod (Imp), Imperial Consul and Cyrus. 

Two other influential mares have been Cyffyiog Nia Wen (Imp) and Coedyfoel Candy (Imp). Nia Wen was by a son of Coed Coch Madog and Candy by Brierwood Fullback, a full brother of Brierwood Fusilier (Imp) also owned by the stud. Nia Wen only left one daughter, Imperial Nia, who was by a son of Coed Coch Salsbri. Candy produced the full siblings Imperial Caruso and Imperial Candy both by Waxwing Herrod (Imp).  Imperial Caruso has left Imperial Stud with a wonderful line of broodmares.