This website is under construction and is owned and authored by Wesley Robert Hayes. Robert Bowker curates the website
Origins & Legacy
- Founded in 1948 by Betty Arnold, Olford is the oldest existing Arabian stud in South Africa and the only farm dedicated to breeding 100% Crabbet-blood Arabian horses.
- Founder Betty Arnold imported three Crabbet mares—Sharona, Silverlet, and a third—from Crabbet Park in England, establishing the foundation of their enduring breeding program.
- Breeding Focus
- Olford has consistently produced purebred Crabbet Arabians with rigorous purity—three main female lines: the Silver, Sera, and Dancing families.
- The farm is known for breeding for riding suitability, temperament, athleticism, and not just show-ring refinement — a philosophy deeply rooted in Betty Arnold’s vision.
Continuing the Tradition
- Today, Olford is owned and run by Wesley Robert Hayes, who upholds the pure‑Crabbet tradition with around 50 purebred mares and stallions.
- As of 2023, the stud celebrated its 75th anniversary, proudly continuing the legacy of breeding 100% Crabbet Arabians in South Africa.
Notable Horses
- Stallions like Olford Sera’s Gold and mares with prefixes such as “Olford Silver…”, “Olford Sera…” and “Olford Dancing…” reflect the pure lines.
- Horses like Olford Silver Snap (born 2010) are descendants of the original Crabbet mares and carry the hallmark of the Olford breeding program.
In Summary
- Olford Arabian Stud is the cornerstone of pure Crabbet Arabian breeding in South Africa—founded in 1948, guided by a steadfast vision of purity, quality, and usability.
- Today, under Wesley Hayes, the stud remains a living legacy: a line of athletic, well-tempered, and beautifully bred Arabians that continue to compete in performance and ridden disciplines.