“For the first time at Holden Fold we entered March without a foal on the ground. When the covering doesn’t go to plan the previous year and the foals are later than you anticipate, it has real affect on the year ahead. The first mare to foal, Alifra hfd PROK (Obelisk x Jazz) owned by SVG Sport Horses, was due to foal on 6 March. She eventually graced us with her new born ten days late foaling, on 16 March, but well worth the wait. A stunning dark bay colt by Mooiman hfd. She had a text book birth; she came in from the field waxed up, restless and foaled down at 11pm. The foal was perfectly presented and with a little TLC from Brian, little Giorgio Armani Hfd (Mooiman hfd x Obeisk) was enjoying a humongous intake of milk and the ever important colostrums within 30 minutes, The whole procedure was so smooth I was able to get quite a bit of filming done. We were both back in bed for 3am when we were happy he was getting up and down easily for a drink, ensuring we saw the muconium passed and of course a little piddle from the newborn, I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoy being part of this little miracle every year.

Giorgio to stay

 
This foal so impressed us that we bought him to run on with our own 2011 foals at weaning. As an investment for the future, we feel it is good business to purchase our future sale horses from our own British breeders if we can, especially when we see animals of this quality being bred. So welcome little Giorgio Armani Hfd, you will stay here for the first few years of your life!

Open day cancelled

Although there are six more mares to foal, the next isn’t due until 15 April and taking into consideration the real possibility that foaling can be up to four weeks late, we took the decision to cancel the 2011 Open Day, an event we have hosted for the past four years. Other factors influenced this backtrack, including an unusually busy stallion season with a  waiting list for stallion phantom training up the end of May, every stable being full and yearlings out in the field, we have had to turn away bookings for foaling mares and training horses so for one year we’ve decided to cancel and deal with the work in hand.

Promoting other stallions

In Europe it is commonplace to have studs promote stallions owned by rival breeding stations. The competition is healthy and honourable and we Holden Fold have long admired this trend, so when we were approached by fellow DEFRA approved Hunciecroft Farm Stud Ltd to discuss a business plan along these lines we were extremely interested. Following healthy discussion, we can confirm Hunciecroft Stud Ltd DEFRA approved AI breeding station in Nottinghamshire will be agents for Mooiman hfd (Flemmingh x Roemer) - the only fully approved KWPN international dressage stallion in the UK, Oliver hfd (Voltaire x Graf Grand) - fully approved dressage and jumping  stallion and Spyder GB Hfd ( Sanyo x Sambuco B) - AES graded as licensed coloured German warmblood dressage and jumping stallion, Hunciecroft have currently finished a massive revamp of their beautiful facility set in the grounds of a fabulous country estate. To celebrate this they will hold an open day in May and Holden Fold will take all three stallions to do a display and join in the fun. I will confirm the exact details in my May blog.

Completing semen freezing

Coming to the end of March the last stallion completing semen freezing for EU use meant the stables were quickly filled with stallions for phantom training and of course the baby horses’ work programmes continue. I really like the little Mooiman hfd x Wellington Keur/Sport/Dress/Prest gelding; he has great suppleness and a willing use of his body - two very important qualities needed for a top class sport horse. The dressage/event youngster San Tropez (Santana hfd x Rough Lad) is off the lunge and getting on with the baby horse programme is the stunning little coloured warmblood Rolex Hfd (Royal Dance x Samber). Quick on their heels, we are able to start work with the next youngster in the queue Don Diego H (Metal x Riverman) to the delight of his owner, who is so excited at the thought of riding her youngster since buying him from Hfd before Christmas.
 
Leaves are on the trees, daffodils are everywhere but there’s not enough grass on the ground yet for turning out. The mares get a leg stretch, a nibble in an ever reliable back field which never gets muddy and always has a nibble for the mothers to be. We wish you all safe, successful foaling this season.”