Their stout build, hardy nature, exceptional endurance and calm temperaments made the Fell Pony the favorite work horse for Roman troops and natives in Britain over 600 years ago. Today, those same traits have helped the Fell Pony excel in dressage, eventing, combined driving and both english and western pleasure. It was this unique mix of characteristics that drew Karen Sorensen and Shannon Albert, owners of Stonecreek Farm in Denison, TX. to the Fell Pony.
“I was a die hard Quarter Horse person,” says Karen. “When Shannon was thrown from her horse in a pretty bad accident, she wanted something smaller and less fiery. We looked at a lot of breeds, but we just kept coming back to the Fell. At the time there was only one Fell foal for sale in the entire U.S. We flew out, met her and wrote them a check right then.”
One of the nine native breeds of Britain, the Fell Pony is considered a rare breed with less the 7,000 horses worldwide. The United States currently has less than 350 Fell ponies and while that number may seem low, it has increased dramatically in the last five years. Karen and Shannon founded Stonecreek in 2001 and quickly established themselves as one of the largest breeders of Fell ponies in North America.
“They’re very easy to train because of their intelligence and gentle natures,” says Karen. “They are all different, but I find they tend to be a lot less flighty than most breeds. They really try to figure you out and they are so versatile. They can carry an adult over a four foot fence or pull a cart all day. Prince Phillip competitively drives a team of four of the Queen’s Fells and does very well with them.”
The average Fell Pony stands between 13 and 14 hands, yet can easily carry a 200 pound adult. Because they are traditionally from the rugged, northern portions of England, where the weather is harsh and grazing is scarce, the Fells are known as easy keepers.
“They have a saying in England that a Fell pony could get fat on a concrete slab,” jokes Karen. “To say they’re easy keepers is a bit of an understatement. They are very hardy ponies.”
All of Stonecreek’s breeding stock was imported from England and Europe. They carefully selected mares that were not only beautiful and well built, but had keen minds and kind spirits. In the last five years, they have sold 90 percent of their entire crop of sale foals in utero and this year they have already sold three out of their nine in utero foals.
Karen and Shannon also have two stallions standing at Stonecreek Farm: Goytvalley Magic Minstrel and Ralfland Ranger. In England, Minstrel was Supreme Champion Fell stallion. A truly versatile pony, he has excelled in show ring in the U.S. and in England, having successfully competed through Second Level dressage, in jumpers, english and western pleasure and in halter classes.
“Minstrel has been used in a number of demos by (noted horsemanship instructor) Julie Goodnight,” says Karen. “We met her in a fear management clinic in Colorado after Shannon’s accident. She used him in one of her conformation clinics and she told the crowd that for all practical purposes, his conformation was perfect.”
Ranger is Stonecreek’s newest addition, having been imported from England in 2003. Though he doesn’t have the impressive show record of Minstrel, Karen says his wonderful disposition more than makes up for it. At only 13.2 hands, he weighs over 1,000 pounds. Ranger is a classical example of the traditional Fell Pony with a muscular, solid build, a black coat and an over abundances of mane, tail and feathers.
“Though they are short they have the ability to carry a lot of weight, which makes them a perfect pony for an adult looking for a solid, level headed mount,” says Karen. “We have been working very hard to erase the stigma of adults riding ponies. I don’t think I’ve ever sold a pony to a child. People don’t realize how many exceptional ponies there are. The renowned cutting horse Doc Bar, for example, was just over 14 hands.”
Stonecreek has exhibited their Fells at some of the largest equine exhibitions in the country, such as the Equine Affaire in California and Massachusetts as well as Equine Extravaganza in Virginia. They are dedicated to educating the public about the Fell pony.
“With each Fell we imported, we realized what a good choice we had made,” says Karen. “They are smart, beautiful and unbelievable athletes; just incredible personalities, too! I walk into our field and I find myself surrounded by ponies that don’t want treats, they just want attention. They are just people ponies.”
For more information about the Fell Pony and Stonecreek Farm visit them on the web at www.thefellpony.com or call Karen or Shannon at 903-337-0255.