This July, we are highlighting “Small But Mighty” breeds on YourDressage!
Riders who choose a pint-sized partner as their dressage mount are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as there are a number of pony breed organizations that are participating organizations.
By Heather Macartney
SpringSong Welsh Cobs began with a dream at Christmas in 1974, when I received a Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A) as a gift. From that moment on, I fell in love with the Welsh breed.
As the years passed, I began to realize that Welsh Ponies of Cob Type (Section C) had become my true passion. They possess the beauty and true pony character of the Section A, combined with the bone, substance, and strength of the Welsh Cob (Section D), and the athleticism of both. Their versatility allows them to carry a child or a small adult with ease while excelling in a wide variety of disciplines.
Years later, we began building a small breeding program, and our daughter, Kylee, started training and competing our ponies in dressage. As our herd grew, we knew that to achieve our breeding goals, we would eventually need to import a Section C stallion.
In the spring of 2021, while browsing Facebook, I came across an absolutely stunning bay colt named Cwmtawe Royal Command. He possessed an uphill build, exceptional movement, an unmistakable Welsh presence, and a pedigree unlike anything available in the United States or Canada. I knew immediately he was the stallion we had been searching for.
That fall, “Royal” made the journey from Cwmtawe Stud in Wales to join our family in Oregon, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for SpringSong Welsh Cobs.
During his first two years in the United States, Royal was shown in hand, earning numerous Welsh championships and multiple National High Point Championships. At just two years old, he covered his first mares, beginning what we hope will come to be a lasting legacy as a breeding stallion.
In the winter of 2024, at three years old, Royal began his groundwork training in preparation to be backed later that year. He proved to be an eager learner with an incredible work ethic, a kind temperament, and an unwavering desire to please. After only two months, he was sent to our friend, Sabine Ense, to begin his undersaddle career. He thrived in his new role, and it quickly became clear that he had all the qualities of a future dressage star.
In the spring of 2025, Kylee returned home after having spent five years pursuing her dressage career on the East Coast. She and Royal immediately formed a remarkable partnership. They debuted in the Materiale classes and at Training Level, consistently earning scores in the 70s while competing successfully against much larger horses.
That season, they qualified for the Nutrena/USDF Breeders Championship Series Final, where Royal ultimately earned numerous awards, including Reserve Champion in the Four-Year-Old Prospect division.
Over the winter, Kylee and Royal developed their First Level skills, and when they returned to competition the following season, they accumulated a number of scores in the 70s, and successfully qualified for the Great American/USDF Regional Championships at their very first show.
Wherever he competes, Royal turns heads with his expressive movement, charisma, and unmistakable Welsh flair. At just 13.2 hands, he continues to prove that a Welsh Pony of Cob Type can successfully compete—and win—against the big kids.
While his athletic ability is undeniable, it is Royal’s temperament that truly sets him apart. At home, he patiently teaches beginning riders, including children as young as six years old. They confidently groom him, tack him up, and adore spending time with him. He is as gentle as he is talented.
Royal’s personality is impossible not to love; he enjoys full-body massages, sticks his tongue out when he’s relaxed, loves trail rides, jumping, and especially enjoys spending time with the young colts on the farm.
“Royal and I have such a special partnership. He tries so hard and is always willing to take on anything new. He learns incredibly quickly and is always ready for the next challenge. What means the most to me is the relationship we share. We trust each other completely, and no matter what we’re doing, he always puts a smile on my face. I truly couldn’t ask for a better partner,” Kylee notes.
The future looks incredibly bright for both Royal and SpringSong Welsh Cobs. This year, he will be presented at the Westfalen and Hanoverian inspection, and compete at the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships. In 2027, we plan for him to continue advancing through the dressage levels and make the trip to the National Dressage Pony Cup in Ohio, where we hope to continue showcasing the versatility, athleticism, and talent of the Welsh Pony of Cob Type.
Ultimately, our greatest dreams are to develop Royal to the Grand Prix level, while also finding him a talented young rider who can one day qualify for the US Dressage Festival of Champions in the pony division. Just as importantly, we look forward to watching his offspring follow in his footsteps, carrying forward his exceptional athleticism, outstanding temperament, and unmistakable Welsh spirit for generations to come.
We encourage anyone searching for a true dressage partner to consider a Welsh Pony of Cob Type or Welsh Cob. Their athleticism, movement, intelligence, and kind disposition make them exceptional partners, capable of excelling through the dressage levels, enjoying the trails, tackling jumps, and becoming cherished lifelong companions. We truly believe these remarkable ponies can help make your equestrian dreams come true!
At Spring Song Welsh Cobs, we—Heather, Steve, and our daughter and trainer, Kylee—are passionate about breeding Welsh that combine exceptional talent with outstanding temperament, and believe the ideal dressage partner should possess not only athletic ability, expressive movement, and trainability, but also the kind, willing disposition that makes every ride enjoyable and every partnership unforgettable. Our goal is to produce Welsh ponies that are equally at home in the dressage arena, on the trail, or with a young rider, enriching the lives of everyone fortunate enough to own one.
