The BRIOLEN STUD was founded in 1974 when, due to my employment, we moved back to North Wales to live. The word BRIOLEN is a combination of our christian names Brian and Olwen.
Our initial stock was purchased from the ALA and FRIARS studs.
During a visit to the TWYFORD STUD in 1977 we purchased the yearling filly TWYFORD PANIC who over the years bred us some beautiful ponies including BRIOLEN PEGGY SUE by TWYFORD NOGGIN. She was Supreme Champion at the Clwyd Foal Show in 1993.
By then, an informal partnership had been formed with Richard Williams of the EUGRAD STUD and in 1980 the prefix MȎNGARNEDD was registered with the Society.
When Mrs Mountain had a reduction in the early 80's we purchased three mares - TWYFORD MINERVA, TWYFORD TENNESSEE and ROWFANT PRIMADORA (dam of TWYFORD PANIC). These three became the foundation mares for the MȎNGARNEDD STUD. Our youngest daughter Sian now uses this prefix to register her C foals.
Also in the early 80's, my late father's prefix MOELWYN was transferred into my name and now all our C + D foals are registered with this prefix. In addition, Helen our oldest daughter has been granted permission to register her A, C + D foals with this prefix as well.
Over the years, we have used numerous stallions such as Ala Squire, Coed Coch Coron, Penwisg Piper, Revel Co Co, Twyford Nirvana, Twyford Poseidon and the section C stallion Abercippyn Crackerjack.
The stallion which brought most recognition to the BRIOLEN STUD was Piper's full brother, the black stallion PENWISG PIRATE. Being a dilute black, PIRATE threw a variety of colours from any coloured mare. Over the years stock by him have sold well at Fayre Oaks and Hay sales. Presently we have three mares by him at the stud. PIRATE is now owned by Meurig and Rhian Owen of the Gelliniog Stud, Anglesey.
Our current stud stallion is a black son of PIRATE - BRIOLEN DARIUS. His dam's bloodlines trace back to Clan Pip, Revel Cello, Revel Orange Pip, Rowfant Peacock and Twyford Gamecock.
This year, as an outcross, we have leased a black grandson of PIRATE - BETHEL SELWYN from Eifion Williams and family, BETHEL STUD.
Selwyn is by BETHEL LLYWELYN (now with WESTON STUD) and out of BETHEL MARED by PENWISG PIRATE.
Our C and D mares have all been covered by GWENLLAN BOSSY a son of GWENLLAN SAM and out of GWENLLAN BRANWEN by THORNEYSIDE THE BOSS. BOSSY is now owned by Eric Jones and family, LLANIDAN STUD.
