The new generation of Abbotsbury ponies have been entrusted to hobby breeder, Nicki Richards, reside in North Aberdeenshire, and are now producing up to height bay performance ponies by HOYS winning ridden stallion Somahouse GT - a homozygous bay (EEAA) stallion.

Nicki bought her first Abbotsbury Shetland some forty-five years ago and that was it - a wild filly, Abbotsbury Esme, who taught her a lot about how quick and intelligent Shetland ponies can be. She spent more time around Gay's house than her own home, and the Abbotsbury Shetlands became a way of life.

During her younger years she was responsible for educating the colts and stallions, and put a number through their stallion inspections with Gay. To this day, her affinity is with the stallions and she treasures her relationship with GT.

The Aberdeenshire Shetlands are Nicki's second attempt to start the new generation with the sad loss of her first stallion, the treasured, Dryfesdale Daley aka Davy - by Abbotsbury Tempest - which scuppered plans.

The stud's original stallion, Abbotsbury Jasper, retired with Nicki in Lincolnshire until his death aged just shy of thirty-three.

Moving to Aberdeenshire in 2020 meant a new start and the development of the stud to what it is today.

The stud, of currently 13, now has four brood mares, a couple of geldings and a collection of veterans who all have a job to do. Ruling the roost is her stallion Somahouse GT. There are a couple of foals bred each year and visiting mares are sometimes accepted to GT. Youngstock are available on the odd occasion and many of the new generation are thriving in various roles in new homes.

Welcome to the Abbotsbury Stud.