Following the enormous success Patience had with Gwyddion in 2002 was going to be a task!  We will forever be grateful to her for her expertise and kindness in training and showing this special horse. Taking an unworldly, 7 year old stallion, who'd been in pasture the first 5 years of his life, then a trail horse, and debuting him, after just four months, at Scottsdale where he was Champion Stallion and a multi dressage winner was incredible. Then showing him in varying large class 'A' shows, then also Region 2 and Region 3 and finally returning us a 'Superstar' who remains, first and formost a pet and wonderful trail horse was spectacular. But now he is also a well respected show horse and sire whose broad appeal to horse lovers of all disciplines makes him one of the true ambassadors of the Arabian breed. It is a dream come true!

We had completed construction of our new home, located in Walnut Creek, CA,  including horse facilities, and so, after Region 3, at Reno in 2002, it was time for Gwyddion to come home for a well deserved rest and once again become Mom's trail buddy!
However, it did seem a shame to put all Patience's training and hard work to rest, so, a plan began to form. We had been introduced to Robyn Size at the AHANC show, where Gwyddion had been High Point  Dressage Winner at First and Second Level, and Robyn had been successfully competing on her own horse, PC Dark Shadows, in dressage. She was obviously a very accomplished dressage rider. We asked whether she might be interested in continuing to train and show Gwyddion the following year and take him up through the levels.  There was only one catch..!   He was to remain at home with us and Mom was to be allowed to continue trail riding him and, maybe, compete a little...! Luckily, Robyn agreed, and a wonderful partnership has ensued with her coming to train at home three times a week. Her diligence and expertise have earned his Legion of Supreme Merit and Legion of Excellence in 2004--points earned mostly from competing in dressage in both Arabian and Open competition--no mean feat. Not only that, Robyn's  tuition and encouragement  has helped a delighted  'Mom' to win the Region 3 Reserve Championship Sport Horse Under Saddle AATR in 2004 !!

Gwyddion has also added becoming a "Daddy" to his enormous list of successes and has proven to be a wonderful sire, passing on his exceptional size, excellent confirmation and movement and above all, his wonderful disposition, to his babies. He is approved for breeding by The American Warmblood Society as a "Preferred" sire, having scored an amazing 78.9% at his inspection, one of the highest ever awarded to a Thoroughbred or Arabian. He should prove the perfect choice for Warmblood mare owners, wishing to add refinement and sensitivity without sacrificing size. He is, of course, a Sweepstakes Nominated Sire and Vet Gen tested SCID Clear.

Finally, we cannot describe the feelings of love and pride we feel for Gwyddion being named the 2004 US National Champion Sport Horse Stallion ATH, in such a huge class of high quality stallions. Our gratitude and thanks must go to Johanna Constance who stepped in at the very last moment  to show for us...superbly with maybe ten minutes practising with a horse she'd never handled before...! What a pair!! We are also grateful to Robyn who earned a National Top 10 in both Second and Third level Dressage, in very stiff competition, against horses from all over the USA, and who then, three weeks later, in Los Angeles, earned the Ann T Bowling Memorial Trophy for the Highest Scoring Arabian at First Level and Above at the California State Dressage Championships!!  What a Year!!

           Written by a very proud Mom...Jean Peck!