I am back from my South Island adventure and had such a great time! I flew to Christchurch where I was picked up by my friend Chris and we spent a couple of days and nights here visiting Irish horse breeders and saddleries. What a treat! We got up close and personal with many beautiful Irish Sport Horses but the highlight for me was meeting four purebreds, including NZ's only resident purebred Irish Draught stallion, Coalmans Touch. Meeting Matty was something I have wanted to do for ages so it was wonderful to be able to give the boy a cuddle and a wither scratch (which he nearly turned himself inside out over).
Thornfield and Eyreleigh Sport Horse studs had many lovely young Irish horses to ooo and aahhh over, including two of NZ's five purebred mares and one purebred gelding at Eyreleigh. These horses are just magnificent in the flesh. Incredible bone and substance but still light and athletic and very personable - I would have loved to have brought them all home with me! I am now even more determined to breed a purebred for myself.
Day three we headed further south to Oamaru where we visited Robbie in his new home with Sheree and Chris. It was lovely to see my boy so settled and happy with his two ladies. For some reason known only to myself, I neglected to take ANY photos. I guess I will just have to go back! Robbie demolished 3kg of monster carrots in record time and, last seen, was hoovering up the 'crumbs'.
I then spent 3 days and 3 nights with Chris and her family on their Southland farm. During this time we took her lovely young Irish Sport Horse filly by Coalmans Touch to the RDA where we were able to ride her out of the inclement weather. Chris also has a yearling gelding by Coalmans Touch out of her Zabalu mare. He's one to be watched I'll wager - A classy saddle hunter of the future (and for sale, if anyone is interested...).
Anyway, enough of my waffle and now for some photos:
Thornfield and Eyreleigh Sport Horse studs had many lovely young Irish horses to ooo and aahhh over, including two of NZ's five purebred mares and one purebred gelding at Eyreleigh. These horses are just magnificent in the flesh. Incredible bone and substance but still light and athletic and very personable - I would have loved to have brought them all home with me! I am now even more determined to breed a purebred for myself.
Day three we headed further south to Oamaru where we visited Robbie in his new home with Sheree and Chris. It was lovely to see my boy so settled and happy with his two ladies. For some reason known only to myself, I neglected to take ANY photos. I guess I will just have to go back! Robbie demolished 3kg of monster carrots in record time and, last seen, was hoovering up the 'crumbs'.
I then spent 3 days and 3 nights with Chris and her family on their Southland farm. During this time we took her lovely young Irish Sport Horse filly by Coalmans Touch to the RDA where we were able to ride her out of the inclement weather. Chris also has a yearling gelding by Coalmans Touch out of her Zabalu mare. He's one to be watched I'll wager - A classy saddle hunter of the future (and for sale, if anyone is interested...).
Anyway, enough of my waffle and now for some photos:
Connie - Eyreleigh Tullamore RID
Connie - Eyreleigh Tullamore RID
Connie - Eyreleigh Tullamore RID
Connie - Eyreleigh Tullamore RID
Connie - Eyreleigh Tullamore RID
Eyreleigh Finnoula RID and Eyreleigh Scarteen RID
Eyreleigh Scarteen RID - Thady
Eyreleigh Shilalegh - ISH gelding out of Connie
Noula - Eyreleigh Finnoula RID
Thornfield Richie Mac Finn ISH
Noula
Noula
Thornfield Rhyan ISH
Coalmans Touch RID
Thornfield Mackin
Coalmans Touch RID
Eyreleigh Shilalegh ISH
Glenluce Abbey ISH
Glenluce Abbey ISH
Glenluce Abbey ISH
Glenluce Quinn ISH
Glenluce Quinn ISH
Glenluce Quinn
Glenluce Quinn
