The Payten Ponies.

The Payten brothers Alf, Percy and Jim, and their sister Rose, of “Woodbine”, Campbelltown, had been breeding ponies for a number of years prior to the establishment of the Australian Pony Stud Book Society. They actively selected sires and used foundation mares of different strains and breeds, the result being fine quality ponies. One of their most influential stallions was the cream stallion Arcus. The story of his background is quite fascinating. He was apparently left with the proprietor of the Royal Hotel in Cooma in the 1880s, as payment for an unpaid bill. Going through a number of owners, he was eventually purchased by the Payten brothers who used him as the cornerstone of their breeding program. His lineage was an interesting mix of Thoroughbred, (through his grandsire Smuggler, a first generation Australian Thoroughbred), pony, through his granddam Minette, who was a champion pony mare, and surprisingly, brumby, through his dam, who was apparently a creamy brumby mare. Arcus sired a number of daughters and sons whose lines still exist in the Australian Pony Stud Book today. Of all his sons, a colt called Marcus, out of a Welsh pony mare named Olive would go on to become highly influential. He was a beautiful type of pony that produced many fine progeny. 

"Marcus" by Arcus, bred by the Paytens.

The Paytens did not just breed beautiful ponies, they exhibited them at shows, in hand, in harness and under saddle. Rose Payten, (more famous for her tennis), was a proficient harness driver, taking out many awards, not only at local shows but also at the Sydney Royal Show, mainly throughout the 1920s.

Rose Payten driving her pony "Picture". 

The contribution of the Payten family to the establishment of the Australian Pony is invaluable, as they were hugely instrumental in breeding foundation stock. 

Written by Claire Lynch

 Sources:

The Pony by Lorna Howlett

Pony Magazine Australia V.1 Iss.3.

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