"I'd like to start this month's blog by offering our sincere condolences to Jen Freeman in Devon, whose stunning two-year-old gelding Elton Hfd (Oliver Hfd x Drossan) had to be put down following a field accident which resulted in a broken hip. We all have to face tragedies from time to time, but it hurts just as bad each time it happens.

A long season

Finally the breeding season nears an end. The mare that joined us for her first insemination in August finally scanned in foal - a much appreciated result so late in the season!

Another heart-stopping moment was when a stunning mare that we ourselves bid for at the Brightwells Auction sold in foal to the stallion Ampere, then went home to her triumphant new owner only to scan not in foal. Fortunately all was not lost. Holden Fold Stud is the agents for Ampere, whose semen is of super quality, so were able to send the new owners a new batch of semen and the mare us back in foal safe and sound.

The 2011 breeding season has to be the longest to date, but ended with great success rates. The Autumn heatwave kept the grass growing so yearlings and foals were out in the fields for a little longer which was a welcome respite. As October neared, in they came for the winter and we got on with vaccinations/passport application pics/vet drawings and chipping of the weanlings. Sounds straightforward but it's an intensive procedure requiring patience and tact.

Working mothers

Broodmares are a hardier bunch, braving the changes in temperature and allowing us to leave them out for a little while longer. There'sa misconception regarding a broodmare's workload and how long they need to be out of work - and many owners start 'maternity leave' earlier than necessary. In the wild they would continue to forage and travel the same distances every day until reaching lush foaling grounds in the spring. As long as the mare appears healthy and attention is paid to her wellbeing, we keep the sporting broodmares in work and competition as normal.

This season we have one mare in foal still in work, called Barinka Hfd. After competing at the BD preliminary regionals in February, she was put in foal to Mooiman Hfd and has competed throughout the summer season, moving up to Novice level and notching up wins with scores above 70%. More recently, her first attempt at Elementary level notched up win to add to her and her unborn foal's CV!

No show at Christmas

We'd hoped the organisers of Olympia might extend an invitation to the Irish Federation so that we could compete there this December, but sadly it wasn't to be. Glamour models are allowed to perform dressage displays but Irish International riders are to be turned away! We have many international Grand Prix placings to our name and have previously accepted invitations from the world's leading studbook, KWPN, to perform demonstrations at their prestigious stallion show in the Netherlands. To all our Irish friends and supporters - we tried!"

Until next time,

Angela