Dr. Amelia Joy Cole writes ... NIMBUS’ LITTLE BIT OF THUNDER AOH (Glencoe Nimbus x Kalimara) was purchased sight unseen as a project pony for Zenith by our trainer, Lauren Newmeyer, while we were on a family trip to North Dakota in August of 2002. He was a 2-year-old gelding who had not even been registered yet. Under the direction of our trainer, we registered him with the WPCSA and the USEF. When we showed Nimbus in 2003 in pony hunter breeding 3-year-olds with the USEF, as well as the Garden State Welsh Show, we knew we had something special. That season he was named Best Young Pony at Blue Rock, 3rd at Upperville, and 3rd in USEF Zone 2, along with double Grand Champion Half Welsh at the Garden State show.

At the age of four and five, Nimbus, guided by Zenith, began to show in local competition in short stirrup equitation, pre-children’s equitation and WPCSA English pleasure and eventually moved up to children’s and half-Welsh Hunter. Because he was green, and Zenith was only twelve, I told her to find a comfortable buddy to follow in the ring. That buddy ended up to be another AOH winner this year, the beautiful chestnut mare by the name of Land’s End Cha Cha. This turned out to be the start of a wonderful friendship. Over the years we have swapped positions for ribbon colors back and forth and always have supported our fellow Welsh members. As the mothers sat ringside in our lawn chairs, we always managed to cheer and root for our respective children with the friendly camaraderie that the WPCSA focuses on.

In 2005, Nimbus and Zenith were awarded the WPCSA National Reserve Champion for Half-Welsh English Pleasure, along with numerous awards EWC awards. In 2007 Nimbus was awarded WPCSA National Champion for Half Welsh Hunter and only missed Reserve Champion in Half Welsh English Pleasure by one point. As the 2008 season unfolded Nimbus began his "A" circuit career in USEF Large Green Pony Hunter and Pony Medal.

Nimbus’ Little Bit of Thunder jumps with the style and grace of a true show pony and he is as brave as a lion, jumping from any distance without hesitation and even jumping his courses cold. We have been fortunate to enjoy his company and talents that enabled him to rocket to National Standing in a few short years. Not too shabby for an unseen and unbroke diamond in the rough.