Cob Jockey

I realize it probably seems like it came out of left field, me buying a baby pony like this, but in fact it's been a very carefully calculated plan for a while now. 

I told Lisa I would consider any colt born starting with the class of 2021, with special preference given to a Dyma Hi colt. We've extensively discussed what I want in my next one over the years, so when something hit the ground that met my general criteria, she knew I might want him and let me know. 

Slowly starting to look less like a pile of angles and more like a horse!

Having Aeres last winter really gave me the confidence that I could afford two horses, even if I learned that I don't like riding two in full work every day. This little fella will be in full work when Connor turns 20 or 21 at which time Connor will likely be ready to at least step back in intensity or perhaps get on-site leased as a lower level schoolmaster, which I've had people ask me about and am open to.

So what were my general criteria?

Baby's first side eye

It had to be a colt. I'm grateful for the opportunity to lease Aeres, because while I enjoyed it, coming back to my happy-go-lucky comes-out-of-the-stall-the-same-every-day gelding felt like slipping into my favorite pair of jeans. 

I'm a gelding person and that's okay.

I wanted full Welsh. I REALLY waffled on this, because Lisa has some spectacular Cob X WBs that have done incredibly well in sport, and the cross would probably be a better Dressage mount for me. But there are things that are more important to me than scores, like size. Plus www.cobwbjockey.com (Cobweb Jockey? Cannot unsee that, lol) doesn't have the same ring to it.

Don't think I'm not tempted by this Welsh Cob x Belgian Warmblood filly, she is REALLY nice (Castleberrys Ffafr ap Cuhlwch x Reminice (Belgian WB mare by Simsalabim), but ultimately, I just love ponies too much.

I wanted a particular personality. I want a weirdo, I want something bold, I want something reactive. I've seen enough Welsh Cobs over the years to know they're all generally sane and care about their people, so selecting for something a little more sensitive isn't terrifying the way it might be in some breeds.

When it comes down to it, personality is more important to me than conformational perfection (and I'm not saying that because there's anything wrong with him! Just that I have the maturity to recognize that this computer engineer needs sane and fun above all else.)

I wanted Connor, but better: Connor's same hindquarter and ability to sit that GP trainer loves so much, but more uphill and with more suspension in the trot. It remains to be seen whether Disco will be both of those things, but his mom is Connor's full sister, and his dad is (IMO) Lisa's best trotting stallion, so baby Disco has genetics in his favor. Plus GP trainer likes this stallion best out of Lisa's two primary herdsires, not that I consulted her in this decision.

It is a lovely butt. (Tail has been shortened several inches since this photo was taken. I've taken a foot total off of it since December 31!)

We had discussed me requesting a custom breeding, but I didn't like that idea. First, I don't think for a second that I know breeding better than Lisa does. She's 20 years into her program and is a master at identifying good crosses and iteratively improving her stock. And second, personality and gender are important to me, so I wanted to have the chance to say no after meeting baby, something I couldn't do if I did a custom breeding.

Well, he's comfortable in an uphill balance, check, lol

Finally, the last piece that gave me the confidence to pull the trigger is that there will be no hard feelings if he doesn't turn out to be what I want. I sincerely hope to be able to show off her program and the breed with this little guy and I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't think he could be that, but if he tells me he'd be happier doing Western Pleasure or something, I'm not going to try to fit a square peg in a round hole, and I'm grateful that I'm not obligated to. For both of our sakes.

Big hopes and dreams for this little guy, but mostly, I want him to be happy and loved <3