Hools Sea Lord an yearling colt travelled from Orkney to Maine in the USA, some 4,500 miles to be with his new owner, below is her story;

“I am based in the USA, and I have two imported Shetland Pony mares, Thordale Zoot and Thordale Lyra. I knew I wanted to import Lyra’s colt foal, Drumnagair Vodka, and keep him a stallion to help the future of native British Shetland Ponies in the USA. But I wanted a second stallion for a number of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to have the option to breed my mares and add more genetic diversity to my Stud plans (Vodka is too closely related to my mares to breed with them). Secondly, I have seen the benefits of having two well bonded ponies (my mares), and I wanted the same for Vodka. So, I searched far and wide for a black stallion from excellent bloodlines. I had looked at the Hools website, and had viewed Hools Sea Lord a number of times. I knew both his parents, Stow Viscount and Sirette of Berry, from when I did an internship in Shetland (they lived there at the time). They are both lovely ponies out of excellent bloodlines, and I knew that they would produce a very well put together colt.  

Sea Lord was not listed for sale, but I went ahead and asked about him anyway. After explaining my goals for him, Kelly Peace at Hools decided she was willing to sell him to me. I had him shipped to Aberdeenshire later that summer, to spend time bonding with Vodka. They were instant friends. In the fall they started their journey to me, sharing a stall along the way. On November 4th, they flew to the USA, and that Sunday arrived to their new digs. They will be living in Virginia for the winter while I am there for work, but in the spring, we will head back to my home in Maine.  

I am excited for the future of these wonderful yearling colts. They are very intelligent ponies with lovely temperaments. I plan on having their semen frozen, so it can be sold to other breeders and allow me to have access to their lines for the foreseeable future. My mares are driving ponies, and I hope to train Sea Lord and Vodka to drive as well. The goal is to be driving a 4-in-hand of British Shetland Ponies in CDE’s around the USA. I look forward to watching them thrive and live out their lives together.  

I have had a wonderful experience with Hools Stud in Orkney, and I would recommend them to anyone looking to a top-notch Shetland Pony. ”