New Zealand Trip. Rick & I with Leonie and Ross of Mountain Crk Moressians headed off to NZ to adventure from the South Island to the North Island visiting Morgan farms on our way.
Our first Morgan farm after we arrived in Christchurch was Megan and Tim's 'Kelford Morgan Farm" in Timaru, where they stand Karenza Apollo's full brother 'Twinhill Maximus' We got to see some of Max's new foals as well as some of Quietude Goldrush mares that Megan has purchased from Peter Robson. Megan has an outstanding black colt born this year out of Tui's Dream song, if any one is interested Megan can be contacted on kelford@slingshot.co.nz
Leaving Timaru we headed to Bleinham, some 7hr drive through some magical scenery where we where to meet up with Lee Bason who stands at stud 'Kelford Copperhawk' a 15.2hh liver chestnut stallion out of Tui's Dream song sired by Fairhaven Sexy Rexy.
We where given a tour of Lee's beautiful Morgan horses, then off to a local resurant for a fine dinner together. In the morning we where treated to a little shopping at their local market, a visit to the saddlery store where Lee works ( of course I bought some things there )
Then off to Picton where we boarded the ferry to cross over to the North Island,
In our trusty people mover that we hired we travelled through the North Island towards Havelock North, through wineries, forests and mountains that are awesome.
We arrived at Sandy and Frank Hoopers of 'Mt Tulloch' Morgan stud, where they own the famous 'JMF Royal Secret' a grand old gentleman now, who is found in many Morgan pedigrees in New Zealand and here in Australia.
Sandy and Frank where great hosts, treating us to some local hospitality.
While Frank showed the guys his big boy toys.....his tractors and hedge cutters, Sandy and us girls where enjoying the youngsters and just chatting.
We then headed off the next day to see Sue and Brent Penman of 'Okereru' Morgan farm who owned the late 'Chalk Mt Nimble Sprite'. We had a liesurable time wondering the hills seeing some of Sprite's youngsters and some lovelly broodmares.
Lunch on the verander overlooking the farm gave us time to gather ourselves for the next trip to Taupo, to see my dear friend Dan Magil.
I have been to Dan's farm a few times now over the years but never with Rick, I was so excited to catch up with an old friend who I admire so much
and to show Rick the farm that inspired me all those years ago to develope what we have now.
It was Dan who sold us our first Karenza Morgan horse 'Karenza Apollo', who is the base of our breeding plan and now our senior stallion.
We must have talked for hours from horses to farming to gardens. Dan and louis also grow advanced trees and have a magnificant garden and lake with their own white swans.
After spending 3 days in Rotorua doing tourist fun things and catching up on sleep,
we then travelled to Cambridge to see Bridget and Peter Cameron of Tui's Morgan farm.
It was ashame we had to catch the plane back to Christchurch as our trip here was limited and I'm sure we could have spent the whole day there.
There are some beautiful Morgan horses here and Bridget and Peter are great hosts.
I suppose we fitted so much in, in such a short time.....but what a great time we had while meeting some fantastic people and Morgan horses.
Some pictures of our trip and Morgan horses can be seen at this link.......
Our Morgan Horse National Show was held at Jindabyne NSW, with many Morgan owners making the trip to show off their horses and catch up with many old friends.
While Rick & myself couldn't make the trip this year due to taking our oldest son to the airport for his big trip to Thailand, just couldn't miss seeing him off.
We were very proud to hear that Matt & Simone Monoghan of Kilronan Morgan Performance Horse's took their Haymeron Park Peridote and entered a variety of classes over the week end. Being placed in every class from Ridden Pure Morgan Gelding, Working Hunter, Show Jumping, 75cm, winning the Power & Speed class giving Peridote the Top score. Perri also gained Reserve Purebred Morgan Gelding in Hand, while his half brother Moonbah Ridge Toy Boy won Champion.
Simone came up with the most amazing costume for herself and Perri, winning the Most Original as 101 Dalmatians.
Elise Peters and her Haymeron Park Oscar Kqar were also being placed in Ridden Pure Morgan Gelding, Working Hunter, Obstacle course Open, winning the 45cm jumping class.
Anne Poulter of Billabong Morgan Farm took her beautiful Indigo Roc-Ette, a Karenza Apollo daughter and was placed in her class, Pure Morgan mare 4-5 years.
We would like to thank Simone Monaghan with Haymeron Park Peridote, Elise Peters with Haymeron Park Oscar Kqar, Anne Poulter with Indigo Roc-Ette and Helga Frolic with Moonbah Ridge Toy Boy for supporting their Sire, Karenza Apollo in the Get of Sire class.
Giving Karenza Apollo, 1st & 3rd place in the Get of Sire class.
Congratulations to Anne-Maree Smith and Haymeron Park Bronson for winning the Wirraway Award, after being placed every year they finally cracked it....well done.
Haymeron Park Bronson & Anne-Maree completed their first competitive endurance ride.
Deb & Ashley Dowden visit us here from Challa Station, WA. It was really great to meet them both after our phone conversations. Hopefully in the future Challa Station will produce their own Morgan horses.
Haymeron Park Epona won Supreme Champion Pure Morgan Exhibit at the Gosnells Summer Breed Show, WA. Shown by Leonie Dureen and owned by Leonie Pallentine.
We had the opportunity to purchase a gorgeous filly foal from Jenny Bird as Jen was in need to reduce her numbers.
Our little chestnut filly Redbluff Talia has settled in really well and is making a great friend for Haymeron Park Dream Jeanie. Talia is a daughter of Mt Tawonga Miss Mary and her sire is Marvelous Encore, a perfect filly for our future breeding programme to Baptiste Levis Strauss.
It was with great sadness that Anne-Maree rang to tell us that Haymeron Park Bronson was found in his paddock with a broken leg.
We were all in shock, Bronson was larger than life and certainly kept Anne on her toes with many a call from Ann starting with....'Do you know what Bronson did today?' then we would just laugh. He will be missed by many Anne, may his memories live on forever.
Our dear friends, Martin & Linda Los moved to Melbourne and lucky for us we were able to buy their lovely mare.
Eagleview Brilliance, a liver chestnut mare who is in foal to Baptiste Levis Strauss. We will be having our very first Haymeron Park Palomino foal this Sept; you can view Brilly on our broodmares page.
Rick & I went to Tasmania for a week's holiday and stayed with Anne-Maree and Andrew Smith.
Yes, it was cold but it doesn't seem to matter when you are with good friends.
We arrived on the Thursday and our Haymeron Park Amos arrived by truck on the Friday morning. Amos will be spending some time with Anne on lease and I'm hoping that he will help Anne with his outgoing Morgan nature and sense of humour.
He certainly settled in well and thought all the fuss was just what he deserves, as all Morgan's do.
It was so good to catch up with Ian Leighton and his partner Liz, who will be bringing their new Purebred Morgan colt to Tasmania this July. They are really happy with their new colt from Leonie Kable of Mountain Creek Morgan Stud in Mt Beauty.
The Morgan horse is starting to take off in Tasmania and the future is looking great.
This page last modified on Wednesday, July 07, 2010
