Fletcher Hill Farm

Built by Deacon Joseph Fletcher in 1735 and on trust to the Novak family. 

Addie and Dawna Lisa at NEWPCS in June 2003

Fall 2003
     It has been a long time since I have written to this page.  The last year has been full of things sad, bad, good and very happy.  I will try to give you the SHORT version.  
      In the Spring of 2002, Gretchen and I spent a little over two weeks in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Holland.  It was a great trip spending time visiting some of my favorite spots in Europe with my daughter and making new friends in Holland.  Some of the pictures can be see at Pictures from Europe.  
      In the Fall of 2002, my sister, Gretchen and I spent time in Scotland, England and Wales.  It was a fabulous trip with my story of the Cob sales 2002.  The mid December of 2002 was a VERY sad time.  Poor dear beloved Marchie had been struggling with worsening arthritis.  One of the hardest days of my life was the one I put him down on.  During this time, Vanessa Vaile and I produced the first edition of the Welsh Pony and Cob Connection.
      Christmas of 2002 was a special one.  My daughter, son-in law and two granddaughters came for an extended visit.  Sophia was presented with a new toy chest that I painted and finished for her.  We had a great deal of snow during this time and Hannah and Sophia enjoyed sledding in the yard.  What fun we had!!
      February 2003 was another month of the good and bad.  Early in the month, I "sprained" my wrist.  MORE about that later.  At the end of the month, I went to Seattle WPCSA AGM and had a great time visiting with friends old and new.  It was also great to get away from all the snow that we were having.
      In late April, my sister and I visited New Mexico and my 87 year old aunt in Taos.  Another fantastic trip that you can see more on at my school website On the Trail of Coronado .  The 'bad' part of this month was that the orthopedic doctor found out that my right wrist was not sprained but rather I had detached the tendon and required surgery.
      June was a very good month.  Listen, I needed one!  Gretchen and I took Addie and Dawna Lisa to the New England Welsh Pony and Cob Society show.  Even though my right wrist was in a special cast to prevent further damage, I was able to show in hand.  Addie went Supreme Champion Welsh under Sandra O'Brien.  Dawna Lisa had a good show going reserve to Addie in the Section D Championship and went on in Ridden Cob for a fourth place.  I know it may seem strange to 'brag' about a fourth place ribbon but this was her first class under saddle in a show ring EVER!  I was a very proud mother of both of my daughter and Dawna Lisa.
      July brought the hated wrist surgery.  Because of this, I didn't get to do all the things I love to do like ride and garden.  BUT after months of physical therapy, my wrist is getting back to its old useful self.   I have high hopes for showing next year.  
      On the Cob front, Mona Lisa spent part of summer visiting with India Haynes's Nesscliffe Sunrise and we are looking forward to a Cob foal in the spring.  Addie is currently off to Larry Poulin's learning to be a good driving Cob.  Dawna Lisa is getting hairy and rather enjoying the paddock ALL to herself.
       Les and I will be spending a week in Belgium and Holland for our Thanksgiving treat.  We are looking forward to hearing some good jazz and seeing more Welsh, Dutch Warmbloods and perhaps some Native Ponies.  Time will tell.  Yours, Claudia

May 2001
     It is hard believe but 24 years ago, Les and I got married and  moved into our 'charming' house built in 1735.  Living in this old house is either an act of love or total stupidity.  I don't think that I own this house but rather it owns me!  It is much like owning Welsh.
      It has been a long, windy and sometimes uneven path down to where we are today with our Welsh.  All in all, it has been a tremendous learning experience with heartbreak and joy mixed in.  
       My wedding present from my husband, Les,  was the Sec. B stallion, Tredana Marchfire, our first Welsh pony.  Many other lovely ponies have been beloved ponies of the family and have gone on to other homes as my children grew.  Numerous foals have gone on to their new homes. Several of our Sec. B mares are out on lease.   
       Bristol Salome was the cornerstone of our Sec. B show string for many years.  The loss of Bristol Salome was one that all my family mourned deeply. Today the heritage of great Bristol ponies is still alive and doing very well at Fletcher Hill Farm with Bristol Lotus. 
        Changing the focus from Sec. B ponies to Sec. D Cobs was a difficult family decision made in 1992  after much of the family went to Wales.   We decided that the quality and size of Cobs suited our family's future needs. 
      Even though Sec. B ponies will be my first love, our Sec. D Cobs have become a passion. Minyffordd Maid of Adfa was our first Cob that came to us after she was purchased as a foal in 1993 and imported in the spring of 1994.  Minyffordd Mona Lisa joined us as a foal in the fall of 1994.  Our 'first born' Cob is Tangwyllt Dawna Lisa who greeted you on our home page.  This year we will be having two Cob foals.  
      Over the years, I have seen thousands of Welsh ponies and Cobs in the United States, Canada, UK and Australia.  This is due in part not only to my love of Welsh but my husband's great job which has helped with me 'tagging along' on many of his trips.  I have been lucky enough to meet and become friends with many Welsh breeders around the globe.
      Do have fun wandering around this website.  Our website is a little different than many since much of the story of Tangwyllt Welsh Ponies and Cobs is told by my 'rambles' and stories of how animals came to our farm and what they have meant to us.  I think that this is important to understanding our love of Welsh.    
      This web site is dedicated to my husband, four beloved children and now two granddaughters.   Without their love, help and understanding, I would have never been able to devote the time and energy  I have spent on Welsh.  Yours, Claudia Novak   PS: A special thanks must go to Kendra Bond who has been a good friend and took many of the great photos that you will be seeing.

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