Welsh Cob Bronze

The Festival

The festival is a truly unique event showcasing every aspect of the amazing breed, the Welsh pony and Cob. Exciting events right in the middle of Aberaeron. Horse & pony entry is free & everyone is welcome. The next festival will be on Sunday 11th August 2019

*** 2018 SPECIAL EVENT – BRINGING THE WELSH COB HOME ***

Aberaeron Festival of Welsh Ponies and Cobs is to stage a special display and pageant in August celebrating the long standing links between Ceredigion and London and marking the centenary of the end of the First World War. ‘Bringing The Welsh Cob Home’ will be the main feature of the Festival taking place on the Square Field at the centre of the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Aberaeron.

The pageant, involving Welsh cob enthusiasts from London with their beautifully preserved dairy floats and other trade turnouts, will tell the story of the thousands of Cardis and their Welsh cobs who moved to London in the 1800s and their part in the development of the London dairy trade. It will also recognise the vital part played by the large numbers of Welsh ponies and cobs, used as draught horses in WWI and the use of Welsh mountain ponies in the coal mines.

This unique opportunity to see an important part of Ceredigion’s history recreated will take place on Sunday 12th August and thanks go to Cynnal y Cardi for their support which will enable us to make the 2018 Festival all the more spectacular. The ‘Bringing The Welsh Cob Home’ project has received LEADER support through the Cynnal y Cardi Local Action Group (administered by Ceredigion County Council) which is funded through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

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Pasiant ac arddangosfa arbennig
Bydd Gŵyl Merlod a Chobiau Cymreig Aberaeron yn cyflwyno pasiant ac arddangosfa arbennig ym mis Awst i ddathlu’r hen gysylltiadau rhwng Ceredigion a Llundain ac i goffáu canmlwyddiant diwedd y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf. ‘Dod â’r Cobyn Cymreig Adref’ fydd prif thema’r Ŵyl a gynhelir ar y Cae Sgwâr yng nghanol tref lan môr hardd Aberaeron.

Bydd y pasiant – a fydd yn cynnwys cefnogwyr brwd y cobyn Cymreig yn Llundain gyda’u cerbydau llaeth hardd sydd wedi’u cynnal a’u cadw mor ofalus ynghyd ag offer masnachol eraill – yn adrodd hanes y miloedd o Gardis a’u cobiau Cymreig a symudodd i Lundain yn yr 1800au, a’r rhan a chwaraewyd ganddynt yn natblygiad y diwydiant llaeth yn Llundain. Bydd hefyd yn cydnabod y rhan hollbwysig a chwaraeodd yr holl ferlod a’r holl gobiau Cymreig a ddefnyddiwyd fel ceffylau tynnu yn y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf, ac yn cydnabod y defnydd a wnaed o ferlod mynydd Cymreig yn y pyllau glo.

Bydd y cyfle unigryw hwn i weld rhan bwysig o hanes Ceredigion yn cael ei ail-greu yn digwydd ddydd Sul 12 Awst, ac rydym yn ddiolchgar i Cynnal y Cardi am y gefnogaeth a fydd yn ein galluogi i sicrhau bod Gŵyl 2018 yn fwy trawiadol fyth.  Mae’r prosiect ‘Dod â’r Cobyn Cymreig Adref’ wedi cael cefnogaeth LEADER drwy Grŵp Gweithredu Lleol Cynnal y Cardi (a weinyddir gan Gyngor Sir Ceredigion) a ariennir drwy Cymunedau Gwledig Llywodraeth Cymru – Rhaglen Datblygu Gwledig 2014-2020, a ariennir gan Gronfa Amaethyddol Ewrop ar gyfer Datblygu Gwledig a Llywodraeth Cymru.


The Aberaeron Festival of Welsh Ponies and Cobs has become an important day in the calendar of events in this beautiful west Wales harbour town, recently voted the best location to live in Wales. The 2018 Festival is being held on Sunday 12 August, and for those who have never been to the event, it is a fun, non competitive occasion intended to celebrate and show case Britain’s most popular and versatile native breed.

Held in the Square Field, SA46 0AQ in the centre of Aberaeron we invite anyone who has a registered Welsh pony, cob or part bred to come along and take part in one or more of the displays. Experience the buzz of the grandstand and approximately 2000 spectators in this unique setting but without the pressure of competition. For Welsh pony and cob breeders, it is the perfect opportunity to show off their progeny without being in a ‘Show’ environment. Whether a Royal Welsh winner or a little hairy Section A being ridden by a small child, all exhibits are made welcome by the enthusiastic committee.

With the audience made up of a mixture of locals, equine enthusiasts and tourists the aim is to entertain but also educate people about the different Welsh sections; their versatility, temperament, intelligence and suitability for both children and adults to enjoy. The breed display, combined with expert and informed commentary, explains the breed standard and some history of the breed while explaining the differences between the five sections.

Various displays take place with the opportunity for exhibitors to take part in different disciplines; in hand, in harness and under saddle. Dressage, scurry driving, jumping, fancy dress and the Welsh Mountain Pony Grand National all promote how Welsh ponies and cobs are suitable for all ages for both fun and performance. To add to the entertainment there will be other displays as part of the timetable, as yet to be confirmed.

The highlight of the day is the Running of the Stallions which always draws a large and enthusiastic crowd. With all the sections on the Square Field at once it is the moment where the Section A stallions take the opportunity to give the Cob stallions a run for their money! A rare occasion where the best of the Welsh can be seen all together with everyone out to enjoy themselves and show their pride and passion for these beautiful animals.

In 2017 the Festival committee were delighted that a new initiative was agreed by the WPCS Performance Awards so that those who take part in the ridden or driving displays at the Festival can now collect 40 points to add to their Performance Awards card. This recognises  that performance isn’t just about competitions.  For those who want to bring ponies from further afield please contact Niki Brewer or message us on Facebook about local stabling.


If you would like to join the fun and take part in this unique event please get in touch.
Contact the Secretary – Eric Holliday: eric.holliday@sky.com / 07971 546716

Admission: £7.50
Children: FREE (under 16, accompanied by an adult)
Horse and pony entries: FREE

*** Dogs are not allowed on the field as it’s a children’s playing area. ***