Final update for 2010!

The winter of 2010/2011 started very early, and December was more or less written off due to the bad weather and ice on the roads. On the plus side, the snowy weather means that the six youngsters we’ve left out in the fields seem to be loving it, looking like fat teddy-bears with snow hats on. When we finally bring them in it will be for the sake of the ground and the grass.

Competition News - September/October

We felt guiltily pleased with our decision not to take Contis to the 6yo Championships when it was abandoned after a miserably wet week. Contis however finished the season on a good note with a top placing at Little Downham on the same day. Meanwhile, Umbria did very good dressage and cross country, but still needs a little more discipline in the showjumping.

Stud News

A busy stud season saw us fulfilling numerous calls from distant parts of the country, usually from people who had never seen our stallions – this seems to be a new trend and one that constantly surprises us. This year we had our first embryo-transfer client and we look forward to a successful delivery later next year. All the mares we took for grading at the Trakehner Show are now fully approved for breeding.

Competition News - August/September

August is probably best forgotten with some disappointing results all round, but Haarlem completed his Blenheim preparations with a smooth run at Highclere. He then did a very nice run at Blenheim CCI3*, finishing the season with a lovely clear across country – his second year running as trailblazer.

Competition News - July

Barcelona ran at a lovely new course at Glanusk, where she unfortunately unseated her rider. A bruised and battered Ruth did well to take Haarlem round Barbury Castle CIC3* a week later, another prestigious venue we look forward to revisiting when fully fit. We finished July with a trip to Aston le Walls where Haarlem completed the Advanced course.

Competition News - June

The beginning of June saw an outing to Great Tew, where what appeared to be an easy course caught everybody out. Barcelona had a double clear in the ON, but Contis and Umbria were in disgrace. Contis redeemed himself at the Novice Regional Final at Milton Keynes, where he was 4th to horses who have been running at Intermediate for a year, thereby earning himself a place at the Novice Championship Final.

Breeding News - 2010 Foal Crop

The busy competition season has not been the only excitement of the summer, as all of the broodmares have fulfilled their obligations and we have had five super foals born for us at the Stud. This year's crop includes foals by both Hannibal and Contis, and we are thrilled with the quality once more.

Competition News - May/June

Contis went to Houghton International for his first CCI1*, where pilot error in cross country produced an undeserved 20 penalties but he was very good in all 3 phases. The beginning of June saw us at Bramham International and the toughest 3* course seen for ages. Haarlem was foot-perfect until unfortunately his rider fell off on the home stretch.

Competition News - May

May brought a rainy day at Keysoe, where the performance for most horses matched the poor weather, but Umbria showjumped well for a clear round. Aston le Walls mid month was a better day out, where Contis won his Novice section by an unheard of 8 penalties. Umbria improved in the Novice, Barcelona ran well across country in the Intermediate and Haarlem was good in the OI against an array of top horses.

Competition News - April

April saw an outing to Weston Park where a rider injury called for a stand in jockey on Haarlem in the Advanced - Nigel Taylor did an excellent job at very short notice. Both Haarlem and Barcelona then ran well at Withington Manor, and the month was finished off on a good note with a 2nd for Contis at Milton Keynes and a 9th for Umbria at the same venue.

Breeding News - Semen Export

Hannibal has had a collection and freezing session at West Kington Stud, and we are now able to offer frozen semen for USA, Australia, NZ, Canada and South Africa, as well as to the UK and all EU countries. Chilled semen is available from both stallions for UK clients.

Competition News - 2010 Eventing Season underway

A pre-season trip to the Eventer's Day at Addington brought another win for Contis in his class. The first actual event of the season was Isleham, where Contis was 7th in the BE100. Stablemates Umbria and Barcelona both had a useful run, but Haarlem was off colour with what turned out to be a virus.

Competition News - Aston-Le-Walls Dressage

February 7th saw Haarlem winning both Elementaries and Contis winning both Novice classes with Umbria 2nd in each.
A trip to the same venue on March 23rd saw Haarlem winning Medium 61 on his first outing at this level, with Barcelona 2nd and 3rd in her Elementary classes. Umbria won her Novice Qualifier, with Contis second in his class.