NEWS

Edition Six : Christmas 2008

Above:
Dams still need good rain to fill.

This year winter seemed so long! It was really hard to fit everything into a day where daylight hours were outnumbered by dark! The arrival of August saw the first of our 2008 babies and thus the work cycle recommenced.

The Stud in General

The recent rains have brought some very welcome relief for what was looking like a very sad, dry, dusty summer. I remember when we first moved to this region we used to receive rainfall in the inches and wondered when we would have dry days. Now we talk in mils and celebrate when we are lucky enough to receive 10 mls (under half an inch). Evan with the recent rains our dams are not full and we have not had sufficient growth, but luckily, Tumut and Forbes have had a fantastic spring. Both properties have grass up to the horse bellies thus our mares and foals will be turned out to these properties once the stud work has been completed.

CRT - Queanbeyan, Murrambateman, Hally Stud Sponsorship

We have just completed negotiations with CRT – Queanbeyan, Murrumbateman, Hall for a major sponsorship deal for BHM. We are so excited about this deal as it shows confidence in our stud as being a known successful professional business in the Region. CRT – Queanbeyan, Murrumbateman, Hall only sponsors one stud business in their region and we feel so privileged that BHM was chosen. The sponsorship is an ongoing offer and we look forward to working closely with the team at CRT.

2008 Foals

The foaling season is always our favourite time of the year. This year we were presented with six Galero babies and all six met our expectations.

The first to arrive on a snowy, very wintery August night was BHM Silver Diamontina, a black PRE (will turn grey) filly from our imported mare Kenia-FC. This filly is a full sister to BHM Silver Ballerina and almost her twin. Diamontina was quickly followed by:

BHM Black Jack - a jet black colt out of Princess and a full brother and clone to BHM Black Knight;
BHM Black Magic - a jet black Spanish Warmblood out of Ari;
BHM Masterpiece - a bay PRE colt out of Marieta;
BHM Black Velvet – a jet black Spanish Warmblood out of Destiny; and last but definitely not least
BHM Heaven Sent – a jet black filly out of Ellegance. A full sister to BHM Godsent.

Above: Del Rio RS Cactus

We are still awaiting the arrival of foals due to several outside mares.

This year we also foaled down two cutting bred QH mares owned by BHM in partnership with Del Rio QH Stud. They were:

A bay roan colt by the newly imported cutting sire ‘RS Chisum” out of Cactus Pep Lena named Del Rio RS Cactus; and
A black/white colt by the black/white paint stallion, Holster Special Chance out of Velvet Lynx. We named this fellow ‘Painted By Chance’.

2008/09 Breeding Season

This year we have clustered our foaling dates for 2009 by covering our mares early in the season and as soon as possible after foaling heat. As a result all our foals for 2009 are due between August and November. This allows us to manage our time and resources more efficiently as well as optimise our pasture rotation to fit in with maximum pasture growth. Although August and September can still be cold, we have the facilities to manage any issues that may arise.

The foals expected next year are as follows:

PRE

Galero XIV x Kenia-FC due August 2009
Galero XIV x BHM Black Porscha due September/October 2009
Galero XIV x Caballeriza Marieta due October 2009 (filly not for sale)

Spanish Warmbloods

Galero XIV x Rhynnok Arizona due September/October 2009 (Filly not for sale)
Galero XIV x Grauf Destiny due September 2009

Derivatives

Galero XIV x Smooth Kiss due August 2009
Galero XIV x Rayanui due August 2009 (Filly not for sale)
Galero XIV x Miss Compliance due August 2009
Galero XIV x Princess due August 2009
Galero XIV x Ellegance October 2009

Inquires for the purchase of any of the foals are welcomed. We will be offering payment plans for foals purchased in-utero and before weaning.

Frozen Semen

Our attempted frozen semen from Don Schufro to Marieta was not successful. I am really keen on keeping a Galero daughter from Marieta so we put her back to Galero. We will try frozen semen with Marieta again after I have bred my Galero filly. As we are keeping Elli in work, the plan to use Sandro Hit is on hold. It is unlikely Elli will not be bred from for a couple of years.

Galero

Unfortunately due to issues with Galero’s previous injuries, Galero will not longer be offered by natural service to public stud. This means that he will not be available to outside PRE mares. We did not make this decision lightly; however it was made with the interest of Galero’s welfare in mind. He will still be available via chilled semen but this availability will be dependant on my work load and pre-bookings will be essential.

BHM No Colt Policy

As part of our business policies we have introduced the BHM No Colt policy. This does not mean our girls are not allowed to produce colts! What it does mean is:

all colts born will be gelded at 7- 8 months of age;
no PRE colts will be advertised for sale as colts. Any person wanting a BHM PRE colt must negotiated prior to foaling or gelding; and
only derivative colts will be offered for sale as colts prior to gelding.

There are several reasons why we have introduced this policy. The main reason is we feel that there are not enough excellent quality competition geldings available for the dressage market. Offering these high quality horses as geldings makes them more affordable, thus providing the opportunity to lift the breed’s profile in the industry. Not everyone wants colts and not everyone can afford colt prices. By gelding at 7 – 8 months of age the boys can put their effort into growing height not stallion muscle thus reaching their maximum potential. This is not to say we will never sell a PRE colt – interested parties just have to negotiate in-utero or prior to gelding.

Sold Horses

Above: Angelica and Knight at the NSW Championships

BHM Black Jack

'Jack' has been sold to Susie Burns of NSW as her next dressage project. We are thrilled that Susie has purchased Jack and cannot wait to watch him mature under Susie's guidance.

BHM Black Knight

BHM Black Knight is now the very much loved possession of Angelica Maloney of NSW. Angelica showed Knight at the NSW AHAA Championships and placed 3rd in the Led Partbred Gelding class.

BHM Masterpiece

Masterpiece has been purchased by Katie Gibson of NSW as a colt (after much negotiation!). Katie was looking for her next dressage mount that had the potential to competitively compete against the big Warmbloods and could not resist Masterpiece. He truly is a magnificent boy and we are very confident that Masterpiece will not disappoint Katie.

BHM Black Velvet

‘Velvet’ was purchased by Alice Verhagen of Qld. Alice actually ordered Velvet before she was born however we asked Alice to come and see her before she actually purchased her. When Velvet was born we knew straight away that anyone who saw her would love her and we were confident that Alice would not be disappointed. Sure enough, one look and Alice was hooked. Velvet is just gorgeous!

Jack, Masterpiece and Velvet will all go to there new homes in early 2009 after they have been weaned.

For Sale

We are offering the following young horses for sale:

BHM Signature
Galero XIV x Oakleigh Annaleise

10 month old black and white gelding. Registered Pinto. Signature is expected to mature approx 15.2 – 16hh. His markings are almost identical each side. He has amazing movement and if not sold will eventually be educated down the eventing/dressage path.

Price: $6600 inc GST.

BHM Black Magic
Galero XIV x Rhynnok Arizona

Jet black Spanish Warmblood gelding. Owned in partnership with Natalie Blundell. Magic has been purpose bred for dressage. He is expected to mature 16hh and has the shape and movement expected of top quality dressage horses. If Magic was a filly he would not be for sale.

Price: $13,200 inc GST.

BHM Black Galliano
Galero XIV x Rayanui

Jet black 1x gelding. Galliano is expected to mature approximately 16.1-16.2hh. He is owned in partnership with Natalie and if not sold will be trained for eventing. Like Magic, if Galliano was a filly he would not be for sale. Price $8800 inc GST

Above: Painted By Chance

Painted By Chance
Holster Special Chance x Aureoa Velvet Lynx

Loud black and white registered Paint colt. Will mature approximately 15.2hh. Will make excellent stud prospect or an exceptional gelding.

Price: $6600 inc GST

ANCCE Scholarship

To promote the PRE, ANCCE is offering scholarships for €9,000 (Approx $Aus18,000) per year to selected 5, 6 and 7 year old dressage horses that meet their criteria. Further detail can be obtained by accessing the PREAA and ANCCE websites. Our intention is to apply for this scholarship for Elli in 2009.

Competitions

This time of year we do not generally compete at many competitions due to stud commitments however we managed to attend the NSW AHAA Championships and the National Capital All Breeds Show with fantastic results.

Above: Elli and Nikita wining Champion and Reserve Champion Ridden Female Andalusian

BHM Black Elegancia

Elli returned to ‘big school’ after a well earned six month rest. Her love of work is reflected in her trainability and performance. Initially we had planned to put Elli in foal to Sandro Hit in December. This meant she would be four months pregnant if she qualified and competed at the Dressage of the Stars in 2009 and would be retired after this competition. However, Elli is demonstrating so much potential as a serious high level open company competitor that we have decided to put this plan on hold and continue her training.

At the NSW AHAA Championship show Elli just shined. She was awarded:

State Champion Led Spanish female
State Champion Ridden
Preliminary/Novice Champion
1st Preliminary 1.4 with a score of 72.9%
1st Novice 2.1 with a score of 68.9% - her very first Novice test!
NSW Dressage Horse of the Year

At the National Capital Horse Show again Elli made us proud. She was awarded:

1st Preliminary 1.3 Open Dressage with a score of 72.95%
2nd Official Preliminary 1.4 Dressage with a score of 73.75%
Reserve Champion Led Spanish Female
Champion Ridden Andalusian Female

Above: Baila turned out with the other horses at Tumut

BHM Silver Ballerina

I am really happy with how Baila is growing. She is such a lovely natured filly and really pretty. Her behaviour at her first shows was exceptional and like Elli, she just shined; making her owner, Michael Rodriguez, a very proud man!

Baila was awarded:
NSW State Championships

1st Gotico Park Open Led Yearling
Champion Junior Led Female Spanish

National Capital

1st Led Spanish Female under 2yrs old.

Baila has been turned out at Tumut with the other young horses and will not come back into work until Spring 2009.

Del Rio QH Stud

Foaling wise it was a very quiet year for Col, as his stallion, Pepa Duke (Imp) was stranded in Sydney over the entire 2007/08 breeding season due to EI. The three foals he did have were foaled down at BHM. It did mean that, like BHM. Col was able to cover his mares early for an early foaling period in 2009.

On the Home Front

I have just commenced an appointment with a new Government Department as a career step. This means that my ‘real’ daytime job is extremely hectic and does not leave me with much spare time. I love management so I am enjoying the new challenges. Unfortunately my commitment to my new position clashed with the seminars held by ANCCE in both NZ and Australia and I was unable to attend.

I have managed to add two more breed specialist judging qualifications to my resume. They are:

The Pinto Horse; and
The Miniature Horse.

I would like to gain additional breed qualifications in 2009 however I am not sure whether I will have much time available for study.

Col celebrated his 60th birthday this year whilst we were attending the Victorian Cutting Futurity. With a group of his friend we celebrated at a local restaurant and had a wonderful night. Col looks fabulous for an old man!!!

Jamie has finished Year 12 and is currently enjoying herself away on holidays. When she gets back it will be head down looking for work, obtaining her drivers licence and preparing for university. I am so glad we live near Canberra as this means she can go to university and still live at home.

My son, Matthew has retired from the Navy and has returned to Canberra to work and live. It is so good to have the family together again. We will be having Christmas at home this year, which will be the first time in many years and we are all looking forward to it. Plenty of food, Xmas cheer and family friends – what more could we ask for Christmas!

The next newsletter will be out in June.

So until then, have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

Sabina Callaghan

PHONE : +61 2 6236 3055