“As I Say of horses, the secret to breeding great horses is the three B’s: Bones, Brains, and Balance. If you look at art, it shares some of the same qualities.” - Alice Walton

Here at Body N Soul while we believe in breeding for the three B’s (Bones, Brains, and Balance) we also believe in the importance of what we call the three S’s: Safe, Sane, Sound.

We began breeding in the 1990’s at our home farm, Elm Spring, in Virginia. Our trainer,Iona Pillion, had convinced our parents to rescue a mare in foal who was going to be sent to auction after their owner had been tragically killed in a farm accident. Mrs. Pillion knew the mare (Sophie) and had also started her half brother. She felt that Sophie, a sweet, kind mare by the Arab Stallion Count Bisby who been bred to a welsh Pony stallion, Farnley Merlin would eventually (many years later) be a wonderful pony for us.  So our first horses were every little girl's dream; a beautiful dappled grey mare and a month old, bright eyed, wild little bay filly, who became known as Guinevere of Elm Spring.

This was our introduction into the world of breeding.

After Guin, we went on to breed Sophie to some lovely Connemara Pony stallions. We chose Connemaras because as a breed they are known to be wonderful kids' ponies: kind with an even temperament, willing and able to perform at most disciplines.

Indeed, Sophie produced lovely offspring that proved to be athletic, game ponies which were safe to cart us around.  Even at this stage we picked stallions that would produce the 3 B’s- bones, brain, and balance that would complement Sophie. And the 3 S’s- safe, sane, and sound, which was especially important to our mother who watched us back all the young stock (with help from Mrs. Pillion) and then took those greenies to Pony Club, fox hunting, eventing, hunter shows, even working cattle…. Our Connemaras and Connemara crosses packed us around and put up with our wild ways: running amok across fields and trails and hardly ever batted an eye. In fact, they were just as mischievous on their own, gamely up for any sort of adventure that made them use their intelligent brains. 

Ellie spent many afternoons riding Connemara stallions for our good friend Sam Davis, who was a huge figure in the Connemara Community. The stallions Ellie would ride (and show) were kind, sweet natured boys, who would often be seen out in the hunt field with Sam (often riding sidesaddle!) surrounded by a sea of mares, and still  would just diligently do their job.

The slogan of the Connemara breed is that “Connemaras do it all”. And they certainly do! From working cattle, to fox hunting, to driving, to being lesson and therapy ponies, and of  competitors in all disciplines. 

Sophie had six amazing foals for us- most were by the Connemara stallion Aladdin’s Denver, owned by MaryNell Eyles.  Most went to forever homes where they were much loved all around family horses. Several competed on the “A-circuit”.

  • Guinevere of Elm Spring (Farnley Merlin x Sophie of Elm Spring)

  • Elm Spring Aspen (Aladdin’s Denver x Sophie of Elm Spring)

  • Elm Spring Willow (Aladdin’s Denver x Sophie of Elm Spring)

  • Elm Spring Dara (Landsgate Bluebeard x Sophie of Elm Spring)

  • Elm Spring Rowan (Aladdin’s Denver x Sophie of Elm Spring)

  • Elm Spring Acacia (Aladdin’s Denver x Sophie of Elm Spring) 

We have since continued our breeding program in Colorado. We have the largest herd of Connemaras in our region and most active breeders in this area. Our Connemaras and Connemara crosses have been chosen for their 3 B’s and for the 3 S’s. We believe in producing high quality ponies and horses that are suitable for a variety of riders. We want to have good ponies for children to learn on and for adults to have fun with. Our Connemara x TB sport horses provide the kindness, brains, and athleticism of the Connemara with the athleticism, heart, and height of the TB. We chose our stallions carefully and have beautiful well built mares to give our foals the best possible life. 

Currently we have two Haven Hills babies out of our purebred Connemara mare, New Songs Raining Blessing  (Bea) by *Smaragaid Cliff: 

Haven Hills Will O’ Wisp (Willa) & Haven Hills Robin Goodfellow (Puck)

We also have a foal out of a quarter horse/fjord mare by the stallion W.H. Topgun. This guy is going to be so cool when he grows up! We got him as a weanling from a family who was looking to pay for college expenses out here in Colorado.  

 Haven Hills Ragamuffin Gunner (Gunner)  

We are expecting a 2021 foal out of Brittany’s competition Thoroughbred mare, A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella) by Finn’s Irish Creme (Bailey). This foal will be so special! Bailey is the son of the great Finn’s Grange Sparrow who is known for producing highly athletic and talented upper level event and sport horses. Bailey’s half brother is Sparrow’s Nio, who is a Connemara x TB cross competing at the 5* level of eventing. With Stellas athleticism and stunning good looks, and Bailey's breeding and quiet, no nonsense demeanor, we are very excited to see what this foal is like!