Individual Awards Sire Awards Dam Awards Owners/Breeders
*LIDGETT BLACK BESS
2001 Dam Legion of Merit
*LIDGETT BLACK BESS (Derwen Rosina’s Last x Llanarth Welsh Maid) was foaled at the Lidgett Stud in the UK in 1984. Her pedigree includes some of the great Cob bloodlines such as Llanarth Flying Comet, Nebo Black Magic, Derwen Rosina, Llanarth Braint, Mathrafal, Dewi Rosina and Pentre Eiddwen Comet.
Exported to the USA as a yearling , Beth joined the herd of John Neemann and Marvin Shelly near Dallas, Texas. She was bred to *Sydenham Nocturne to produce several foals, including one of the trio responsible for her Legion of Merit points, Nocturn’s Last Lady. Bess was purchased by Amanda Williams of the Wyvere Stud, Waldron, Arkansas at a dispersal sale in 1991 and started under saddle at the age of 8. She progressed well until asked to canter – the next few minutes were described as an excellent imitation of a bucking bronco in a rodeo! This was the first and last time she ever bucked when being ridden. She went on to place well at shows that year, winning champion and reserve in Cob halter classes, English pleasure, Hunter and trail. Bess was such an easy ride that she also helped Amanda win Hunt Seat Equitation classes both on the flat and over fences (an amazing feat!).
In 1994 Bess was Hunter Champion at the American National Show, Champion Cob at several shows and Reserve Supreme Champion at the WOW Breeders Show. In the WPCSA National year end points awards Bess was Champion Halter Cob (any age or sex), Reserve Champion in Adult English Pleasure Cobs, Best All-Around Cob for the Libertyville Saddle Shop Award and won the Grazing Field Farm High Point Cob Award. Bess has also competed successfully in western classes, open all breed shows, dressage, hunter trials, and parades.
Bess’ foals have been shown successfully in many disciplines including Hunter, English and Western Pleasure, winning many championships and National awards. Her Wyvere Black Prince, by Winterlake Alexander, beat both his parents to win Champion Cob at the Central National Show as a foal, and won the WPCSA Championship for Cob geldings in 1995.
The three Cobs responsible for Bess’ Legion of Merit are: Nocturn’s Last Lady (by *Sydenham Nocturne) – owned by Candice Upchurch; Wyvere Flying Duchess (by Winterlake Alexander) – owned by the Holcomb Family; and Wyvere Black Velvet (by Winterlake Alexander) – owned by Pam and Bob Johnson.
At the 1999 WPCSA Central National Show, Velvet, Bess and Last Lady took the first three places in a large class of Cob Mares. Bess has always been ‘number one’ in the pasture and keeps her equine companions in their place. With people she is kind, responsive and patient, putting up with schooling sessions for many different events, long hours on the trailer and on the show circuit. She has the most distinctive whinny at feed time – and expects to be fed first. She is an excellent mother to her foals and the best trail ride anywhere – even with a Jack Russell riding on the front of the saddle.
Leaving Bess behind in the US when moving back to the UK was a hard decision for Amanda, but she has an excellent and caring home with the Johnsons of Idylwind Stud, where she continues to breed foals and contribute to the success of the Welsh Cob in the USA.