Spring/Summer Update at Rubis!

The 2026 season has already proved to be a busy and rewarding one here at Rubis Stud, and it hardly seems possible that we are already looking towards the second half of the year.

As always, spring centred around foaling, with several exciting arrivals making their appearance. There is something special about seeing months of planning and anticipation rewarded with healthy foals, and we have been delighted with the quality and character shown by this year's youngsters. They are developing well and we look forward to watching their progress over the coming months. Some of them will be available to the best homes - do get in touch to see what we have available.

We have continued competing and producing ponies, often fitting show preparation around the demands of foaling and stud management. While some may have noticed our relative absence from the Welsh show ring so far this year, we have always preferred to present ponies when they are genuinely ready to do themselves justice, rather than simply filling classes for the sake of appearances. We are confident that several of our ponies will be making their presence felt later in the season when the timing is right and at the shows where we feel it would particularly benefit them.

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One theme that has quietly shaped our approach this year has been the significance of 2026 as the Year of the Fire Horse. While we are not generally ones for following trends, the symbolism of renewal, energy, independence and forward momentum has felt surprisingly appropriate.

After several exceptionally busy years, we have taken the opportunity to use 2026 as a year of reorientation within the stud. Not a change of direction, but rather a refinement of purpose. We have spent time evaluating our breeding programme, reviewing bloodlines, setting long-term objectives and ensuring that every decision contributes meaningfully to the future we wish to build.

This has meant being more strategic in where we invest our time and energy. Rather than chasing every opportunity, attending every show or following every fashion, our focus has been on quality over quantity, on developing ponies properly, and on strengthening the foundations of the stud for the years ahead.

Renewal is not always about doing more; sometimes it is about doing the right things with greater clarity and purpose. We believe that approach will ultimately benefit our ponies, our breeding programme and the clients who place their trust in us.

As the season progresses, we look forward to seeing the results of that renewed focus both in the show ring and at home, where the next generation continues to develop exactly as we had hoped.

Another exciting development for 2026 has been the addition of several carefully selected new ponies to the stud. A number of purchases and imports have already arrived, with others expected to follow. Their identities and future roles within our breeding programme will be shared in due course, but we can say that we are extremely excited about what lies ahead.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of these acquisitions is that they reflect both our future ambitions and, in some respects, a return to our roots. Many years ago, long before Rubis Welsh Ponies was established in its current form, Welsh Mountain Ponies played an important role in our lives. Having owned and admired them over thirty years ago, we found ourselves increasingly drawn back to the qualities that first attracted us to the breed.

As a result, 2026 will see the arrival of two exceptional Welsh Mountain Ponies. Their quality, character and origins immediately impressed us, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Rubis family.

There is also a practical consideration. Whilst we remain passionate about our Section B ponies and their future development, the reality is that smaller ponies are often easier to manage on a day-to-day basis and allow us to devote the level of individual attention that we believe every pony deserves. As the stud continues to evolve, we are increasingly focused on maintaining quality, enjoying our ponies and ensuring that our breeding programme remains sustainable and rewarding for years to come.

In many ways, these new arrivals represent exactly what this year has become about: renewal, careful planning and a willingness to embrace exciting opportunities whilst remaining true to the principles that have always guided us.