palo1
Well-Known Member
RIP Len; the world of Welsh Cobs will not be quite the same without you. He was such a gentleman and his passing marks the end of an era. Len Bigley of Llanarth Stud passed away yesterday. From the Welsh Pony and Cob Society:-
Len Bigley FRAgS 1948-2020
The showing world lost one of its most famous sons when Len Bigley quietly passed away in hospital on the morning of 22nd December 2020 following a long and hard struggle against illness. It is typical of this quiet, unassuming man that throughout he never complained and fought a good fight all the time with dignity his family by his side.
From an early interest in ponies he first helped his Shropshire neighbour, Mrs Borthwick, with her Trefesgob Welsh Section Bs while still at school before going to work at the Llanarth Stud of Welsh Cobs in 1964 where he remained until his move to Quakers Farm, Herefordshire, following his marriage to Ann. It was under the experienced eye of his employer, mentor and friend, Miss Pauline Taylor, that he embarked on a career in the show ring which saw him ride and drive the Llanarth cobs during those early days although it was his skill as a showman in hand that brought him to notice of the nation. It is often said that it was Miss Taylor who took the cobs out of Wales however she would be the first to have said that it was her showman, Len, who made the rest of Britain sit up and notice.
Len was the consummate showman with a natural empathy for his ponies and cobs which was evident in the masterful performances they consistently produced in the show ring. He could elicit the more reserved and sedate performance out of his riding ponies in equal measure to the explosive and electric displays from his cobs. It is no wonder that he produced in his time almost fifty qualifiers for the In-Hand Finals at the Horse of the Year Show, surely a record that is unlikely ever to be beaten. As a producer and breeder, Len, has taken every major championship in Britain including the overall title at the Horse of the Year Show in 1979 and 1980 with Llanarth Flying Comet and in 1998 with Merriment Pussycat. It is little wonder that his children, Simon and Catryn, have learned a great deal from him and it is with great pride that he and Ann have seen them follow in his footsteps. He has been a role model for other aspiring show men and women.
During his career he has also shared his experience and advice with a number of organisations including the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for which he was Council member, Chairman and President, the National Pony Society for which he was President, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for which he was Council member and Chairman of the Livestock Committee and the Palomino Society for which he was a valued Council member and Chairman. As an independent he served for many years as a committee member of the influential National Equine Forum. His opinion and advice was not restricted to societies but willingly given to others, his wise counsel greatly appreciated.
A quiet, modest man with impeccable manners, Len was always recognised by his warm smile. He let his results do the talking and was never one to brag about his achievements. He was a loving family man who enjoyed the success of his children and was delighted to witness his grandchildren, Evie and Millie, take up an interest in ponies. He was devoted to his wife Ann who has been a great strength throughout their time together, the proverbial ‘great woman behind every great man’, who was with him to the very end. It is to Ann, Simon, Catryn and their families that the equestrian world sends its deepest sympathy.
Len Bigley FRAgS 1948-2020
The showing world lost one of its most famous sons when Len Bigley quietly passed away in hospital on the morning of 22nd December 2020 following a long and hard struggle against illness. It is typical of this quiet, unassuming man that throughout he never complained and fought a good fight all the time with dignity his family by his side.
From an early interest in ponies he first helped his Shropshire neighbour, Mrs Borthwick, with her Trefesgob Welsh Section Bs while still at school before going to work at the Llanarth Stud of Welsh Cobs in 1964 where he remained until his move to Quakers Farm, Herefordshire, following his marriage to Ann. It was under the experienced eye of his employer, mentor and friend, Miss Pauline Taylor, that he embarked on a career in the show ring which saw him ride and drive the Llanarth cobs during those early days although it was his skill as a showman in hand that brought him to notice of the nation. It is often said that it was Miss Taylor who took the cobs out of Wales however she would be the first to have said that it was her showman, Len, who made the rest of Britain sit up and notice.
Len was the consummate showman with a natural empathy for his ponies and cobs which was evident in the masterful performances they consistently produced in the show ring. He could elicit the more reserved and sedate performance out of his riding ponies in equal measure to the explosive and electric displays from his cobs. It is no wonder that he produced in his time almost fifty qualifiers for the In-Hand Finals at the Horse of the Year Show, surely a record that is unlikely ever to be beaten. As a producer and breeder, Len, has taken every major championship in Britain including the overall title at the Horse of the Year Show in 1979 and 1980 with Llanarth Flying Comet and in 1998 with Merriment Pussycat. It is little wonder that his children, Simon and Catryn, have learned a great deal from him and it is with great pride that he and Ann have seen them follow in his footsteps. He has been a role model for other aspiring show men and women.
During his career he has also shared his experience and advice with a number of organisations including the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for which he was Council member, Chairman and President, the National Pony Society for which he was President, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for which he was Council member and Chairman of the Livestock Committee and the Palomino Society for which he was a valued Council member and Chairman. As an independent he served for many years as a committee member of the influential National Equine Forum. His opinion and advice was not restricted to societies but willingly given to others, his wise counsel greatly appreciated.
A quiet, modest man with impeccable manners, Len was always recognised by his warm smile. He let his results do the talking and was never one to brag about his achievements. He was a loving family man who enjoyed the success of his children and was delighted to witness his grandchildren, Evie and Millie, take up an interest in ponies. He was devoted to his wife Ann who has been a great strength throughout their time together, the proverbial ‘great woman behind every great man’, who was with him to the very end. It is to Ann, Simon, Catryn and their families that the equestrian world sends its deepest sympathy.
They are gorgeous and I hope they continue with the success of the stud. Len was a brilliant chap though he always felt it was a great shame to ride a show horse!! I never had the courage to ask to buy a Llanarth cob because of that 
