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Four-R Corsair

2003 Sire Legion of Merit

In March of 1984 Marianne Elliston of Black Oak Welsh invited us out to see their foals. Little did I know I would be buying a pony that day. Marianne had leased Little Buckaroo’s Pirate Gold and his mares from Four R Ranch, Sunnymead, California. One cute little frosted bottom chestnut roan caught my eye and darned if he didn’t trot right up to me and put his tiny muzzle in my hand.  Well, I was smitten from the git-go.  I had to have this pony. I checked out the colt’s bloodlines. Hmmm, double–bred Bowdell Buccaneer. Buccaneer had a great reputation for gentle, kind offspring.  Could this be the stallion to breed kid safe ponies from?  We bought him. 

        We brought him home when he was 3 months old,  named him Corsair for his Pirate heritage, and watched him grow. When he had some nice babies, Suzan Stevens took an interest in him. We would like to share this award with Suzan tonight. She is responsible for the breedings that produced all of the 5 ponies that won the LOM for Cory. Those ponies are Cuesta Bravo, Cuesta Mariquita, Cuesta Desperado, Cuesta de la Reina, and  Cuesta La Prima. Four are from Obispo Gizelle (dam LOM). Not only did Suzan have faith in that little roan stallion, but is now giving him a wonderful retirement in Mississippi where he shares a green pasture with some of his foals.  He is still available at stud.

        One favorite memory is Cory and I beating a huge group of antique vehicle turnouts at the Santa Ynez Carriage Classic which was judged by Tom Ryder.  We even beat two Friesian four-in-hands in the process.  This was our most thrilling win and even made Larry Mahan’s Horse World program.

 Cory is truly a credit to the Welsh breed.