The Claylands Stud (The name was derived from the Clay nature of the Lincolnshire Land where the stud was started and the name of the home of the Arden Family 1n 1968 “Claylands”)

                                                                                      A Brief History

The first Shetlands that Mrs. Jeannette Arden, founder of the Claylands Stud, purchased were a group of 3 which she took pity on, as they needed to be re-homed. Their names were Lady, Nigger and Patch. Patch had obviously been trained as a circus pony; he would, on command walk up the field on his hind legs and roll over upon request. These ponies were unregistered but the wonderful nature of the little Shetland’s won her heart and it wasn’t long before she decided that she would like to get more involved and even perhaps show a suitable pony.

With husband Maurice at the ready with support they purchased their first 2 chestnut show ponies, these were Sysonby, bred by Mrs. V. Houghton (Minna). And this was the start of Jeannette’s showing career.

Before long she developed a preference for the standard chestnut pony. This led to the purchase of the much-loved Barley Sugar who became the founder mare of the Claylands Stud. At this time Jeannette resolved to produce a chestnut pony as good as the wonderfully successful blacks which abounded at that time. Barley Sugar produced many wonderful ponies, among them Claylands Candy whom we own to this day at 29 years of age. Candy was the dam of Claylands Calypso, Clayands Crystal and Claylands Captain (now owned by Mrs. Sue Bearcroft), but to name a few of her approx 12/14 foals.

Candy was last shown at a Veteran Horse Qualifying round at Bishops Castle in 2004. She finished 2nd in a class of approx. 25 mixed small breeds. A super result we think.

He daughter Claylands Crystal needs no introduction, she is referred to in some quarters as “the famous Crystal”, she still has her moments of success and at 18 years of age and is still producing wonderful foals.

Candy & Goldcrest's son Claylands Calypso, is still well remembered and many young people come up to us at shows to recount stories of him and tell us with much pride, “We rode the famous Calypso in the Shetland Grand National. So many jockeys must have outgrown him.

Jeannette Arden, founder of the Claylands Stud and beloved wife of Maurice tragically passed away in January 1998 after a short illness, but what a legacy she left to the Shetland World. It was her wish, that husband and chief supporter for so many years of showing, Maurice should if he was able, carry on with her work with the stud. This he did initially with the help of his brother Ken, who despite his own personal problems at the time, was only too willing to offer his practical help, and a steep leaning curve ensued. Maurice was eventually joined by Shirley Nadin, his partner who has been involved with ponies and donkeys for most of her life; this also involved a move from the stud’s home in Lincolnshire to Staffordshire, on the southern edge of the Peak District.

Maurice has always been most grateful for the help and advice he received from friends and members of the society who also did their best to help him carry on showing. As a tribute to Jeannette’s memory Maurice named the filly born 3 months after her untimely demise, Claylands Lady Jeannette. This pony is now owned by Allan and Alison Bromwich, who have had great success with her both in hand and under saddle, she is so like her dam, Claylands Candy and just as successful.

Jeannette is never forgotten either at home or in the showing world for her quiet dedication to her aim to produce a chestnut Shetland as good as a black, we truly believe that she did this.



A few Honours’ and successes under Maurice and Shirley’s guidance

Claylands Captain with his owner Sue Bearcroft had the great honour of being one of the two ponies to represent the SPSBS at the Queen mother’s 100 Birthday parade in London and Sue was invited to meet the Queen mother at an evening reception. What a wonderful day that was, with Maurice and Shirley invited by Sue to join the parade as breeders. A day we shall never forget.

Many, many championship wins with Claylands Crystal over the past 9 years her foals also winning many major championships at County shows including the Royal and Breed Shows.

Our senior Stallion Goldcrest of Drakelaw’s appearance in 2002, at the age of 24 years, at the Veteran Horse of the Year Final at Olympia where he finished 3rd after competing against 8 ridden thoroughbred’s, finishing only 7 points out of a possible 200 behind the first placed horse. He also qualified for this final in 2006 we think the only horse or pony to qualify for the final twice.

In 2005 his son Claylands Captain owned by Sue Bearcroft also qualified for this final and finished a very respectable 5th

The prizes and championships won with Claylands ponies over the past 9 years are to numerous to mention to say nothing of the events that go back some 35 years to the birth of Claylands. It is all such a source of pleasure to Maurice and Shirley and the Arden family. Long may it continue.

Latest update was the Success of our Young Stallion, Abbotsbury Zak who was Reserve Supreme Champion at the Miniature Horse of the Year Show 2007 held at Arena UK in October 2007. Among the wonderful prizes won by Zak was an exercise carriage. Zak has had a very successful year, one of them being Coloured Champion at the Breed Show, and this result just put the icing on the cake.

We are very proud of young Zak he is a 7-year-old stallion with a beautiful nature, super to show, he loves being in the show ring, just as much as he loves contact with people. And to boot he is loved by his mares with whom he has never failed and is a real gentleman.

2004,2005,2006 saw him representing the SPSBS at Hoys in the Interactive Feature Area, where he was a great favourite. He was a wonderful ambassador for his breed; he never showed a moment of impatience with the general public even though he was on show for 14 hours a day. In fact he seemed to understand when we opened the stable door to enable wheel chair users to have a closer look at him. On one occasion a severely handicapped youngster in a wheel chair was brought forward by her parents to interact with Zak and he just laid his head on the table of the wheelchair, the Childs parents then pushed her hands forward to enable her to touch his nose, the beautiful radiance that spread across this Childs face will always be with us and Zak was so gentle he seemed to know. On the other hand a sense of amusement was detected when a very distinguished gentleman in a wheelchair came face to face with Zak and the inquisitive pony decided to investigate the lever situated on the chair arm. This caused the gentleman to cavort around in his chair, much to the amusement of bystanders and the gentleman concerned, leaving Zak with the controls held aloft. We regularly get messages and emails from his HOYS fan club and he also receives Christmas cards. He is a much loved member of our family.

Guess what will be Maurice’s main pastime over the winter months?. - Watch that driving slot!! And probably a new job for Shirley – Groom perhaps? Ah well! .