NEWS

Edition Nine : January – August 2010

Where has the year gone? We are in the middle of July and yet it seems like yesterday that we were competing at Dressage of the Stars! I really do not like waking up and feeding in the dark and I definitely hate coming home from work and feeding in the dark. I am a real fan of daylight savings so bring October on!

THE STUD IN GENERAL

Above: The Mitavite Keg

We have finally received decent rain. This winter is more like the winters I remember. BHM looks so green however with temperatures as low as minus 9 at night we will not see the total benefits until spring.

I am a very great fan of Mitavite Breeda. I have used this product for years with great success. Recently Mitavite introduced the concept of a ‘keg’. The keg is similar to a small silo and is delivered by Mitavite. When the keg is empty they come and pick up the empty keg and replace it with a full one. This is a cheaper and more convenient way to purchase this product. It also save waste due to spillage and of course there are no bags to dispose of. I thoroughly recommend the keg.

UPDATE ON BERNIE AND CAMERON SCHULTE

In my last newsletter I reported on how Bernie and his son Cameron were seriously injured in a bushfire near Bathurst. Cameron has recovered very well and has been able to return to a relatively normal life. The doctors are calling Bernie ‘the miracle man’ as persons with the injuries Bernie received usually die. Well Bernie is on his way to recovery. He still has years ahead of him but with the absolute devotion from his wife, Bronwyn, he is progressing. Bernie has been given permission to go to Orange Rehab in late July as a staging point before he is allowed home. You can read further on Bernie’s progress on his blog. www.berncamupdate.blogspot.com.

UPDATE ON MITCHELL WIER

In my last newsletter I also reported on how Mitchell was injured in a car accident. With the possible prognosis of severe spinal damage, it is great to report that his injuries although not good, are not as bad as first thought. Mitch is home and on his way to recovery.

THE MORGAN HORSE NATIONAL SHOW

Earlier this year I judged at the Morgan Horse Nationals. I have always admired this breed and it was lovely to see so many examples of this breed in one place. They appear to have wonderful temperaments and the one thing that stood out was their legs. This breed, although low in numbers in Australia, have wonderful legs. I am not saying perfect but compared to other breeds I judge this point was really obvious.

INDEPENDENT MINIATURE HORSE REGISTRY INC (IMHR) NSW STATE SHOW

In December I am judging at the Independent Miniature Horse Registry Inc (IMHR) NSW State Show to be held at Canberra. Most of my judging appointments are Hack Shows so when I am presented to judge these specialty shows I really look forward to them.

2009/10 FOALS

I still have all my babies at home. I hope to take some to Forbes at the end of July and only keep at home the youngsters I will be showing.

I have decided to run BHM Blacks Instyle and BHM Jaguar on as colts for awhile. They are pretty spectacular so I am reluctant to geld too soon. We may even start them under saddle as colts. You can always geld but you cannot make them colts again! I will be showing these boys, so keep an eye out for them.

20010/11 BREEDING SEASON

This year will be a fairly easy year for us. We only have 6 foals due. Our first foal is not due until September and all our foaling will be finished before Christmas. I am not sure what I will breed this year. Several of my lease mares have returned to their owners and Kenia will have some time off.

The foals we are expecting this year are:

PRE

Galero XIV x Kenia-FC

Spanish Warmbloods

Above: Galero ridden by Steve Hart.

Galero XIV x Grauf Destiny
Galero XIV x Belcam Grisabella
Furst Love x Marieta (foal not for sale)

Derivatives

Galero XIV x Smooth Kiss
Galero XIV x Rayanui

Inquires for the purchase of any of the foals are welcomed.

Galero

Above: Galero ridden by Steve Hart.

I am constantly receiving requests for footage of Galero moving and in particular under saddle. In an attempt to obtain some footage I sent Galero to Steve Hart for preliminary work to allow us to obtain this footage. Steve is a well known horse trainer in the stock horse/quarter horse world and lives about 10 kilometres from BHM. Steve was working under strict instructions to nurse Galero’s injuries.

All was going well and the day came to take the footage. Galero was coming home after the film/photo shoot and we were looking forward to it after such a big build up. Unfortunately Steve was sick and had to go to the doctors prior to filming. By the time he returned it was 3pm which resulted in poor light and long shadows. We did film as Galero was coming home but as expected the quality of footage was terrible. Some of the photos are ok and you can view them on the website. To say I was disappointed is probably an understatement.

Above: Galero and Rebecca.

But...not to be fazed Rebecca, Jamie and I teamed up and took some beautiful footage and photos of Galero moving in hand rather than under saddle. The footage can be viewed on the upcoming Horse Deals Stallion DVD and the 2010 Stallions At Stud website. We also used some of the photos for BHM’s advertising in both magazines. If you wish a copy of the DVD please just contact me.

Galero is still not available by natural service. He is available via chilled semen only. This means that he will not be available to outside PRE mares.

BHM Black Elegancia

At the completion of the Dressage of the Stars campaign, Elli came home for a well earned rest. I commenced to ride Elli myself and I was having fantastic fun riding her. Elli enjoyed riding out and not being a dressage horse. Unfortunately Elli picked a virus in June and became very sick. A secondary infection forced her to have an extended stay at Canberra Equine Hospital. Thank heavens, Elli recovered however she gave us a big fright. So it is time for Elli to have babies. She is now resting in preparation of being put in foal to Galero. If Elli gives me a Galero filly then I may bring her back into work as my riding horse. I cannot wait for her babies!

SOLD HORSES

BHM Benita

Above: BHM Benita

Benita is a Galero daughter I was keeping for myself as a riding horse. However, I had received an inquiry for a riding horse and as I had started riding Elli (and I liked the person) I offered Benita. Well it was love at first sight and a very happy Deb Gaudie of ACT became the proud new owner. Benita had only just been broken in but she is going quietly under saddle and is just a lovely riding horse. Deb and Benita have a long future ahead of them. I look forward to seeing them both at the NSW AHAA Championship Show in October. It is rare that I have riding horses for sale as our progeny are usually sold very young, so it was obviously meant to be for Deb and Benita!

PRE Mundial

Recently ACPRE-Australia Inc has recommenced and is now the Australian contact for P.R.E. Mundial. P.R.E. Mundial is an American PRE Organisation that recognizes Passports issued by both FESCCR & ANCCE. It is an Organisation that Spanish Horse Owners and Breeders can join if they wish.

Although BHM’s Pure Spanish Horses are eligible for registration with P.R.E. Mundial, we have elected not to join at this stage mainly due to financial reasons. P.R.E. Mundial’s aims and objectives are commendable and it is such a positive step for the promotion of the PRE horse. It is such a shame that this promotion could not be undertaken by PREAA (as ANCCE representative) or AHAA. We are however considering entering the P.R.E. Mundial show organised for October 2010.

I just hope the correct information is circulated about this 3rd organisation for the PRE in Australia. Breeders, owners and prospective buyers must be informed that P.R.E. Mundial is an American Association only. People wishing to breed or show purebreds (and yes it will impact partbreds) in Australia, must fully understand the implications what the following possible combination of registrations have on their horses:

P.R.E. Mundial registered only;
AHAA and P.R.E. Mundial registered only;
P.R.E. Mundial and PREAA (ANCCE) registered only; and
P.R.E. Mundial, PREAA (ANCCE) and AHAA registration.

I just hope the 3 associations (P.R.E. Mundial, PREAA (ANCCE) and AHAA) will work together and educate people about the implications; after all they do have a common goal. But going on history...unlikely!

For further information on P.R.E. Mundial or ACPRE-Australia Inc go to the following websites: www.prehorse.org and www.acpre-australia.org.au

INFANTE

Infante was a PRE stallion that was imported from Spain by Leigh Burns in 2009. Sadly Infante passed away in June. This is not only a great loss to Leigh but also to PRE horses in Australian as Infante was truly a magnificent stallion.

COMPETITIONS

This year we intend to compete at the following shows:

NSW AHAA State Championships in October
P.R.E. Mundial Open Show in November
National Capital Horse Show in November
AHAA Australian National Show in February
Canberra Royal in February

The show team will be:

BHM Blacks Instyle
BHM Silver Jaguar
BHM Silver Diamontina
BHM Black Geisha
BHM Godsent
BHM Black Galliano

Above: BHM Silver Diamontina is still turned our at Forbes and will come in for show preparation in August.

Rebecca and her husband have control over Godsent’s training. I cannot wait to see him begin his ridden career. His first competition will be the Championships and I am so excited!

Galliano is going fantastically for Natalie and like Godsent, his first show will the NSW Championships. All these Galero babies out completing will be fantastic!

Col and I will commence breaking Diamontina in after the Championships and then send her to Rebecca and Jim for finishing. Diamontina is our next competition PRE so hopefully she will follow in Elli’s footsteps. I am not sure who will be her competition rider at the moment. Possibly Rebecca but Rebecca is already over committed.

Del Rio QH Stud

Col had major shoulder surgery in March that has seen him out of action since then. He is recovering physically but mentally he is not coping very well with not been able to do physical work. He can be such a grumpy old man!!

Del Rio looks fantastic due to all the rain. Unfortunately all the rain has put his spraying behind thus his crops will be late. No one is complaining though – we love the rain!

Col has about 20 mares due to foal this year so guess who is going to be busy! Luckily he has help and of course in between running BHM I can assist. Col has 2 mares due to foal from American frozen semen and he is really looking forward to these foals. It is the first time I have ever heard Col say he may consider keeping the foals entire if the mares have colts. Col definitely has a no colt policy so this is a big statement for him!

On the Home Front

Above: My Birthday Cake!

This year is not the only thing that has gone fast. I turned 50 in July and I wonder where the heck the years have gone! I certainly don’t feel 50 and it sounds so OLD! Never mind it happens to everyone (hopefully) sooner or later so I just have to deal with it. I had a small party and was thrilled when presented a black horse cake complete with BHM brand. This gorgeous cake was made by Erica Lubransky a lovely young lady and a great friend.

Above: Erica Lubransky who made my fabulous birthday cake!

All is well with Matt and Jamie. They both still live at home. Who ever said kids leave home obviously didn’t have kids!

I have 13 short haired border collie puppies at home at the moment. 6 x 8 week old pups and 7 x 3 week old pups. They are just gorgeous. These puppies belong to Col and when they are old enough they will be sent to Darcy Martin in Sydney for training. These puppies are impeccably bred and are worth a lot of money. I raise them and Col gets the money – doesn’t make sense does it!

Above: The 3 week old puppies

Above: The 8 week old puppies

Hopefully I can catch up with a lot of readers at the up coming shows. The next newsletter will be out in December so until then take care!

Cheers
Sabina Callaghan

PHONE : +61 2 6236 3055