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NEWS

Edition Three : February – April 2007

Stud in General

The rains in early March bought some welcome relief however as a result of high temperatures and windy condition the relief we experienced was short lived. I must admit that it was great to finally see some green grass; even if it was very short. If it does not rain soon, it will be too late for our region as the winters are just so cold. It will be disastrous if the drought continues.

The drought has resulted in fencing problems caused by stock pressure and wildlife, particularly kangaroos. A phased approach has now commenced to re fence BHM as the kangaroos have played havoc with the fences, especially the electric fences. It is amazing the damage kangaroos do to fences when they are looking for food and water. It is estimate that the project will take 12 months, hopefully it will be well worth it – we will keep you posted (excuse the pun!).

AHAA Australian National Show

What a great show the 2007 AHAA Australian National was for BHM. Five horses represented the stud for the following outstanding results.

   

Left: BHM Chocolate | Middle: BHM Black Porscha | Right: BHM Black Elegancia

The show had record entries and it was good to see so many lovely horses and catch up with friends. We look forward to the Nationals coming back to NSW in approximately 5 years; by that time we will have Galero progeny to compete as well.

The Nationals was such a hot, full on and tiring weekend for all, especially for the horses. Elli had actually lost weight and had a slight cold. As a result we did not compete at the Victorian Championships. Instead all the horses are now turned out to rest, eat, have fun and grow.

Special thanks to All Creatures Photography and Victoria Oska for the great photos.

   

Above: ‘Elli, Porscha and Chocolate are now turned out to rest, eat, have fun and grow’

Welcome to the BHM Team

We are very proud to have Rebecca Walshe join the Black Horse Manor team. Rebecca joins Natalie Blundell as one of our professional trainers and riders. We feel very privileged and lucky to have two such wonderful horsewomen. Rebecca will at this stage concentrate on Elli however she is looking forward to ride Chocolate. Rebecca is very well known in the dressage circles and is one of Australian’s up and coming successful competition riders. She recently won the Australian Dressage of the Stars 4yr old finals on her horse, Stylish. This is the event we are aiming for with both Elli and Chocolate. Rebecca has her sights set on top level international competition so I have my fingers and toes crossed she can reach her goal on a BHM horse.

A dream come true – Rebecca winning gold for dressage and Natalie winning gold for eventing - both on BHM mounts!

2006/07 Breeding Season

Finally the BHM breeding barn has closed down for the season. The only mare that was not returned was Marieta as she will be covered early September to bring her back in line for early season foaling. We are expecting 8 Galero babies, with Kenia-FC (Imp) the first due to foal in August. We cannot wait for the foaling season. We just love the babies and really cannot wait to see more Galero babies! It will be interesting to see if we get all fillies this time – we hope so.

Gheerulla Mayara

 

Above: Gheerulla Mayara and Fiona

This special lovely lady is progressing very well in her pregnancy as the photos demonstrate. We cannot wait to see this foal. With this combination of Maya and Galero, what a baby it will be – a definite champion!!!

2006/07 Foal Update

BHM Anastacia

Annie is growing into a lovely filly and will definitely be a rich dark bay. Annie is so conformationally correct; she has the most amazing hindquarter and boy can she move! Annie is quite tall and will probably make 15.2hh. Her temperament is so laid back, which is so typical of her breeding. There is no doubt that Annie will make someone a fabulous riding mount.

BHM Possum

What a cheeky little girl! Actually she is not that little and by the looks of her, she will probably mature well over 16hh. Possum is just a stunner and by all indications will be a fabulous filly to show. Her movement ensures that she will follow in Elli’s footsteps as a future dressage prospect.

Midnight Susie

We saw Midnight Susie after we lay her owner to rest. It was both a sad and happy moment. This filly is coal black and being a 5th cross Australian Andalusian; she well and truly looks Pure Spanish. We look forward to Midnight Susie coming to BHM for her preparation and training for her led career.

Southern Cross Mea

 

Finally some photos! Cheryl is just ecstatic about Mea and is in the process of weaning her. There is now doubt Mea has Galero’s head. Cheryl is looking at commencing Mea’s show career shortly so we will let you know in the next newsletter of her results.

BHM Black Elegancia

During the ‘06 Christmas break; Col broke Elli to saddle for BHM. We like to start our horses young (Elli is only 2½ years old) and give them a slow preparation over a few years before they undertake serious work. Col does a fantastic job with young horses and spends a large amount of time on ground work. Elli took to the procedure like a duck to water and was not fazed when the time for her to be backed arrived. Mitch Weir is Col’s rider and it was not long before Mitch was riding her in the large arena with Col riding the school horse. Col always rides a school horse with the babies for their first couple of rides to encourage and support them.

   

Left: Col on his school horse and Mitchell riding Ellie | Middle + Right: Natalie and Elli

After only five rides, we took Elli to Natalie Blundell’s where Natalie did a fantastic job of teaching Ellie to move forward freely, balanced and accept basic aids.

A week before the AHAA Nationals, Elli returned to Canberra for one weeks schooling with Rebecca Walshe, her rider for the AHAA Nationals. Not only is Rebecca BHM’s stud vet, but she is also an extremely talented, successful and professional dressage rider who will be Elli’s rider in the future along with Natalie.

The AHAA National was Elli’s first outing under saddle, and Elli’s and Rebecca’s first outing as a team; and what a team they made! After five weeks under saddle (only 1 week with Rebecca), Ellie won the Pure Spanish Ridden Mare 2yrs and under 4yrs and placed 4th in her Prep dressage test. We were so proud of her after the dressage, Elli performed beautifully. Her score really did not reflect the quality of her test (62.35%).

  

Above: Rebecca and Elli at the 2007 Nationals

Rebecca and Natalie are so impressed with Elli that it certainly looks like Elli may very well be the first Pure Spanish to compete in the Young Horse Dressage of The Stars.

Elli, together with the rest of the show team, is now turned out for the winter to rest, grow and play. She will come back into work as a 3 year old for her second preparation in October 2007.

For Sale

The 2007 foaling list is now available for anyone interested in purchasing young stock. We are offering conditional payment plans for partbred stock if a purchase is made before weaning.

Of interest to breeders is the foal out of Galero/Kenia FC. This foal is fully imported bloodlines and will be a definite asset to any stud. It will be one of the few P.R.E foals offered by BHM out of this combination as we will be retaining some foals in the future for replacement breeding stock.

BHM Nikita

   

Above: BHM Nikita wand Sam Woodford

Nikita was purchased by Sam Woodford as a yearling. Nicky is a 1st cross filly by Manuka Diestro out of one of our foundation TB broodmares, Lady Victoria. Sam has been taking Nicky along slowly and hopes to compete her in dressage and eventing. Nicky is now a 4yr old and is ready to start ‘big school’. Sam has high hopes for Nicky so we will keep you informed of her progress.

Jessica and Olliessica and Ollie

 

Above: Jessica and Ollie a week before the accident

Jessica and Ollie have become a fabulous team, even having their photo on the front cover of the Wagga newspaper. Ollie has turned out to be the best kids first pony we could every have hoped for. However on Easter Saturday, Ollie’s saddle slipped whilst Jessica was practicing, causing her to fall. Poor Jessica broke her arm and now has her left arm in a cast. Jessica is more upset that she is not allowed to ride for 6 weeks that the fact that she has broken her arm! We wish Jessica a quick recovery and hope Ollie enjoys his holiday.

Rio Quarter Horse Stud

The drought is having a major effect on the stud. Unlike the Canberra region, Tumut has had no where near the amount of rain. As a result we will postpone showing any youngsters until later in the year. Col has commenced weaning and we have had fun helping him with his babies. His babies are growing beautifully and ‘Eclipse’ is still a stunning colt. We now also have another filly chosen to show – ‘Del Rio Duchess’.

 

Col has put Peppa Duke (Imp) back into work and both Jamie and I are enjoying riding him. I am currently trying to talk Col in to competing non-pro cutting again but until this drought eases up, we do not have much time to get horses competition fit. Maybe next year.

On the Home Front

Unfortunately our trip to America has been postponed probably until next year – although with the changes and uncertainty as a result of the new administrators of the Spanish Stud Book, it is probably for the better.

Jamie has just turned 16 and of course like all 16yr olds couldn’t wait to get her ‘L’ plates. Luckily Col has offered Jamie to drive his car as I am not yet comfortable with Jamie driving mine! Jamie is now in Year 11 and full on with assignments – I feel sorry for her as that is all she seems to do. She never seems to have too much free time and I am just so glad that she is dedicated.

Here at BHM we will literally close down for the Canberra winter for a well earned rest. This means a few months off, where all we really need to do is wean Annie and Possum, and handfeed - but no showing, no stud work, nothing! We will of course help Col at Del Rio. The cycle starts again in August when our first foal is due.

We anticipate that the next newsletter will be out in approximately six months times o in the meantime... enjoy winter, hopefully it will be a wet one, and stay safe!

Sabina and Jamie Callaghan

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