Mary Jones, Nebo Stud

The Society is saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Jones, Nebo Stud at the age of 84, she was a well-known, respected and hardworking member of our Society.

Mary joined the Society in 1957 and began to use the Nebo prefix at her home in Penlonlas, Nebo before getting married to Geraint in 1961. They then moved to Lluest-Hen, Nebo and continued to use the Nebo prefix together where Mary was well known world-wide for her warm welcome and hospitality.

The pinnacle for a Welsh cob breeder is to breed a George Prince of Wales Cup Winner and along with her husband Geraint and family, they were fortunate enough to breed 4 – Tyngwndwn Cream Boy, Nebo Black Magic, Nebo Daniel and Nebo Hywel. Nebo Brenin sired 2 POW Cup winners and Mary was very proud when he also won the Welsh Cob harness class at the RWAS in 1986. Mary also drove him at various local shows if Geraint wasn’t about. Brenin monopolised the sire ratings, winning the section D sire ratings 8 times and the section C sire ratings 9 times. Both Brenin and Bouncer were also awarded the Miss Broderick Memorial Trophy. Nebo Daniel and his son Nebo Prince have also topped the sire ratings.

Nebo Bouncer was Champion at Lampeter Stallion Show 5 times, won at the RWAS on 7 occasions and carried on his sire Brenin’s dominance of the Section C sire ratings topping it 13 times.

Nebo Julie Ann and Nebo Joni Jones have both been champion ridden at the RWAS with Julie Ann also winning at HOYS thus illustrating the versatility and excellent temperament of the Nebo animals.

During the late 60’s and early 70’s Mary would enjoy the local shows and would ride Nebo Beauty, Welsh Lady and Rosebud once they had been shown in the brood mare class.

Mary’s services as a WPCS judge were in much demand and she travelled over the world in this capacity, having judged in Australia on 2 occasions, the Section C’s at the Royal Welsh in 1996 and was also very proud to judge the Overall Young Handler Champion there in 2022. Mary also judged the Section C’s at Lampeter Stallion Show and many more prestigious appointments.

She was a WPCS assessor and gave up much of her time attending various events, volunteering on the society stand and was honoured as an Honorary Life Member of the society in 2008. Mary also enjoyed her time travelling the UK with Geraint in 1993-1994 as Geraint was WPCS President. Over latter years Mary enjoyed visiting the office when picking or dropping off passports for Owen’s exporting business, she appreciated the help of the staff and their friendship.

Mary was especially proud of the achievement of her children Owen and Lisa and took a backwards seat to hold the fort at home when they both took over the showing. She returned to the circuit when grandchildren Catrin and Lowri came along, firstly with babysitting duties and then travelled miles with Lisa and the girls in the lorry where she had important jobs. One was to ensure that both Catrin and Lowri were fed and watered followed by ensuring they were dressed accordingly ready for the ring whilst Lisa saw to the ponies.

As Catrin and Lowri got older they were very fortunate that Geraint and Mary provided them with one of the best mares that has been on the circuit being Nebo Julie Ann. This brought great pride to both Geraint and Mary watching Catrin and Lowri having great success with her. Mary has been lucky enough to meet her great grandchildren Lois and Morgan and has loved watching them grow and come to the characters that they are now.

Mary’s wishes were for a private service which will be held at Dewi Sant Church on the 9th of July.