In these last days before Christmas the Society is sad to share news of the passing of Mr David Edwards or ‘Dai Abercippyn’ as he was fondly known. Joining the society in 1987 as a life member he took the unique step when setting up his stud near Bargoed in mid Glamorgan, by acquiring an existing breeder’s life’s work as his springboard.

In a sealed bid auction, he was the delighted purchaser of the Cippyn Cobs who became available on the death of their talented breeder Miss Mary Abraham. This line traced back to a wonderful type of mare – Felin Rosina who could have easily passed as a Stubbs painting stood under the sycamore at Cippyn Fach. The Abercippyn prefix was registered paying homage to those valuable bloodlines. Suffice to say Miss Abraham would have been delighted to see how he nurtured the bloodline.

These cobs proved to be a strong foundation upon which to build, joined by some canny purchases from the Buckswood stud namely New Model who proved very successful as a brood mare. Her most famous offspring being the multi award winner Abercippyn Rose Cariad. Later he reunited another Cippyn cob with the family by purchasing the revered Cippyn Real Magic from Trevallion. Going on to breed both successful section A’s and C’s he derived great pleasure from the Welsh breeds as he did from the continuation of that interest and passion through his own descendants.

He was a WPCS panel Judge and an honorary life member of the Society.

The Society’s sincere sympathy is extended to his family.

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The photograph is of Abercippyn Rose Cariad winning Lampeter Welsh breeds show as a yearling. Credit: Anthony Booth (Rainhill)

The second picture is of the happy day when Dai first met the Cippyn cobs – pictured here with Cippyn Rose Princess as a young filly. By kind permission of Shirley Williams Pantyfid.