Thursday 4 February 2010

Talisman Farm Sport Horses AND Sport Ponies!

When I was introduced to Crossiebeg Brennan via email, I fell in love - it was love at first sight and, as happens when one falls in love, it was quite unexpected and there was very little I could do about it. I honestly tried very, very hard to find something to not love about him but, try as I might, I failed miserably and, as a result of my new love affair, Brennan is about to embark on a very long journey from Invercargill in the deep South of the South Island to Talisman Farm in Masterton.

Brennan is a 3yo purebred Connemara colt by the lovely imported stallion Capparis Casanova (Domo Cavallo Praize) and out of Taihoa Cloudy (Barwidgee Erriff x Canningvale Bonnie Bess/Chiltern Sunsilk). He should mature 14HH. Brennan is eligible for licensing as a Class 1 Connemara Stallion under EU Regulations (because of the status of both of his parents) but I am still trying to get my head around the whole classification system for Connemara's as it is different in NZ to the EU and it is also currently under review. Irregardless of any changes however, he will be eligible for licensing (and has already been seen as a foal by visiting inspector, Tom McLochlainn who described him as a “good cut of a colt, if you can look past the colour”) - I get the feeling that chestnut with lots of chrome is a little 'out there' for the Connemara which to me just gives him a little more of that ever so important 'X' factor.

I have been asked many, many times if Hamish is or has Connemara blood so it seems quite fitting that Brennan should come to stand alongside him. I am excited about the opportunity to have a crack at breeding larger/full size hunter type ponies using Brennan and to be able to continue my love affair with the Irish horse. My dream of standing a RID stallion is not really able to be realised at this time but I am sure that Brennan will fill that gap remarkably well.

Brennan will be broken to saddle and then the hunt will be on to find a suitable rider for him. I hope that he will compete (lightly - as finances allow) in dressage, show hunter, show jumping and eventing. If anyone knows of a confident and competent 12-15yo who might be up to the task - Please get in contact with me!

My darling Hamish will always be number one here and with me but I don't think Brennan will steal too many mares off him as he will always be popular with those who are aiming to breed good natured, smaller hacks and for whom breed registration is not such an issue. Having Brennan means that we will be able to offer people a licensed pony stallion whose progeny will be eligible for stud book inclusion. I also now have a stud that I can eventually put over my one and only Hamish daughter, which is an added bonus!

I would like to thank Sheila Ramsay, without whose help, Brennan would never have even come to my attention. Sheila stands Brennan's sire, Capparis Casanova and has been hugely helpful and informative - she is a fount of Connemara and Horse breeding knowledge. Also, of course, Fiona Comer, who bred Brennan and has agreed to let him come and live with us here and last but not least, my wonderful long time cyber-friend Christine Chisman who very kindly went and visited Brennan on my behalf to take video and photos and check out his temperament - An inspection that he passed with flying colours. So, my heartfelt thanks must out to these three lovely ladies.

Now, without further ado, let me introduce 'Crossiebeg Brennan':

Awffffff cuteness!!!
Hairy pony! (and a little bum high at the moment)
Taihoa Cloudy - Mum
Baby Brennan
Dad - Capparis Casanova

3 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Lou. Go for it. You'll be fortunately to have a great wee jockey to ride thes ponies one day. Deb xx

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  2. If the breed society don’t consider the colour as being desirable - why breed from it? or do you know better then them??

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  3. In response to Anonymous's question - Colour doesn't even factor in the breeding equation here at Talisman Farm. This colt possesses traits outside of his colour (temperament, movement, conformation) that make him exceptional and therefore a very worthy breeding proposition. Thank you.

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