Claire Merlin Davies

Claire has as been breeding horses since 1986. She has been a keen equestrienne all her life and regularly used to hunt with the South Shropshire Drag Hounds on her Shire X TB called Sidney (affectionately known as 'Big Sid' to all those who know him).

Initially Claire bred from her Thoroughbred and Irish Draught mares and more recently she has decided to breed top quality show ponies and registered the 'Larktonhill' name. One of her Irish Draughts was exceptional enough to go on to the Manchester Police Force. They rated him highly for his manners and trainability and wished that she had bred some more like him.

Her first pony in the 1980's was a section B mare called Gym Cro Gold Light (Wingrove Titlight / Downland Chevalier) and it is to this bloodline that she decided to return to. She appreciated their lovely conformation and their beautiful temperaments.

After intensive market research she was lucky enough to find and acquire Laurel (Eywas Laurel) and subsequently bred her first colt foal Woody (Larktonhill Tigerfeet) in 2006. To date all her foals are by Strinesdale Matador who formerly stood at the Pickmere Stud in Cheshire. Claire plans to use him again this year but by a.i. this time as he has retired from public stud duties.

She has just bred her first filly (Larktonhill Tigress) and looks forward to adding her to her breeding programme in the future - that's if her lovely friend Cathy doesn't pinch her for dressage first as she thinks she's a little cutey!