Mr Versatile

Yesterday I travelled to Wellington with Louisa, Dan and Rae to the second day of the Wellington Dressage Group's summer series. Louisa had Dangermouse (Danny) and Rei-Huia Squiggletop (Syd) along for the outing and I was able to catch with TF Life O'Reilly who has been living in Wellington with Kim. 

Reilly looks great and Kim is doing a really super job with him. All three horses were entered in the unregistered 1st level classes and Kim also had Reilly in one of the unregistered 2nd level classes. All three boys put in super performances. Syd and Reilly ended up in third equal place in the first 1st level test on 65.455% and Louisa and Syd were 4th in 1.2 with Kim and Reilly in 10th (both classes had 27 entrants) so a great effort from horses and riders. Reilly had a bit of a hiccup in the 2nd level test with his first canter but even after fluffing a few movements they still managed a respectable 5th placing and 55.806% - Plenty of potential there and some really promising marks from the judges. 

At the first day of the series Reilly and Kim had managed to win one class so a good start to their dressage career - especially for a little event horse. Reilly also played dolly horse yesterday at Onslow Show and came home with a 2nd in rider, 2nd in show hack and 3rd in paced and mannered which, considering his rather exuberant behaviour, was a great effort (again 20+ horses in his classes). 

Some pix of Reilly and Kim:

 

More Breeding News

Great news from two outside breeders this week. Lonsdale Tempeste has a maintained pregnancy at 28 days and Honey, the TB mare who we chose to win the Free Breeding to Brennan this season has had an 18 day positive scan. So, now we are just awaiting news from the part-bred mare that was bred via AI up north and the very first mare to be bred to Brennan this season (who was bred back in November, would love to hear about her!) and, all going well Brennan should have 9 lovely foals on the ground next season which would be wonderful! 

Here are some pix of the babies taken this week:

Ailbhe's belly spot

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The latest breeding news

Well our breeding season is now officially over as all our girls are successfully in foal! Last to scan positive during the week was Rei-Huia Bernadette, the gorgeous 16.1HH Irish Sport Horse mare we are leasing from Rei-Huia Sport Horses. Bernie was AI'd to Brennan on the same day as Biwmares Madonna and both mares are due around 21 December this year. Bree, who is in foal to Hamish, is due around the 2nd of October and Hooty, the 18th of December. So far we have two outside mares confirmed in foal to Brennan and we are awaiting news from three other mares. We have leased our amazing Kingsway Diamond mare for a final foal (to Brennan) however on her pre breeding scan she was showing signs of having gone anoestrus so we have decided to leave her this season and start trying nice and early next season. I have every faith that if anyone can get her in foal Victoria from SYENZ can and she certainly (as the photos I have put up today show) is in exceptionally good health!

Maude - 23 years young!

We are still getting stud inquiries and we are still happy to provide semen for AI however would prefer not to take mares for live service unless they can come and short stay or come on a walk in, walk out basis.

We have a lovely German girl, Kirsi, staying with us at present. She has helped entertain herself by riding Meg and Brennan and doing all sorts of helpful things around the farm and the house. It has been so lovely to have such a friendly and proactive visitor - I would like to adopt her but I think her mother and boyfriend might object, hehe. Here are some photos of Kirsi riding my 'kids'.

and last but not least, I have been riding a bit too...

That's all for now folks :o)