We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mr Len Bigley FRAgS.
Len was well-known as a consummate showman with a natural empathy for ponies and cobs which were unmistakable in the performances that he delivered in the show ring. He produced almost fifty qualifiers for the Supreme In-Hand Championship at Horse of the Year Show, a record that is extraordinary and one that will prove challenging to beat. As a producer and breeder, Len, took the Supreme In-Hand title at Horse of the Year Show in 1979 and 1980 with Llanarth Flying Comet and in 1998 with Merriment Pussycat.
Together with wife Ann, and children Simon and Catryn, Len was renowned for breeding and showing for more than 50 years under the family’s Llanarth prefix. In addition to the In-Hand success, Llanarth ponies have been campaigned successfully under-saddle with the 2014 and 2015 Supreme Horse at HOYS Broadshard Simplicity sired by the riding pony stallion Llanarth Alleycat – a HOYS Supreme In-Hand finalist himself.
At Horse of the Year Show we were pleased to not only welcome Len into the arena as a competitor but also as a judge, most recently for the Coloured Horse and Pony Championship at HOYS in 2016. Len shared his vast experience and knowledge with many showing societies including the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for which he was Council member, Chairman and President. In what sadly appeared to be his last appearance at Horse of the Year Show, Len represented the National Pony Society for which he was President, to present to the winners of the 2019 National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony classes.
We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ann, to his children Simon and Catryn and to his wider family and friends.
