RATHOWEN  STUD 

RIDING PONIES,  ARABIAN RIDING PONIES,  

GALLOWAYS

NEWS

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

RATHOWEN BLUE MOON (LANGTREE FAME & FORTUNE X RATHOWEN OUT OF THE BLUE) - 1ST 3 Y.O. RIDING PONY FILLY BRISBANE ROYAL    This is Bloomers first outing and expertly shown by the George Family.

CONFUSIONS OF RATHOWEN (COURTLAND BOY BLUE (IMP.) X THOUGHTFUL MISS)  - 1ST LED RP MARE N.E. 14.2 

RATHOWEN SCARLET RIBBONS (COURTLAND BOY BLUE (IMP) X RATHOWEN RUSSET) - 1ST LED RP MARE N.E.13.2 H.

CHAMPION RIDING PONY MARE:  CONFUSIONS OF RATHOWEN (Kelly Bond)

RESERVE CHAMPION:  RATHOWEN SCARLET RIBBONS - (The George Family) Last year it was the other way round!!  1st Open Pony Hack 13 - 13.2h. CHAMPION PONY HACK - THIS IS BACK TO BACK WITH LAST YEAR'S CHAMPION!!!

SUPREME RIDING PONY EXHIBIT:  CONFUSIONS OF RATHOWEN.

RATHOWEN THE DIVA (Courtland Boy Blue x Glenrowan Diffinity) - 3rd Led RP Yearling (Sue Lyons)

REGENCY ROCK STAR - (Courtland Boy Blue x Infinite)  - Champion Led Saddle Pony (Genevieve Everingham)

There are other placings, but we haven't got them yet.

N.S.W.  ALL BREEDS FOAL SHOW

If you can't beat them join them.  Sounds like an admission of failure but after working non-stop last year to present naturally two top quality fillies to be absolutely non-competitive against those that were body clipped I decided to have ours presented this year in a competitive manner.  How competitive?

Rathowen Ruby Red - Champion Riding Pony Filly, Supreme Riding Pony Exhibit, Champion Arabian Riding Pony Filly, Supreme Arabian Derivative Exhibit, Champion Part Welsh filly, Supreme Part Welsh Exhibit.  SUPREME EXHIBIT OF SHOW - shown by Jaimie McCormack.

Rathowen Free Spirit - Champion Australian Saddle Pony Filly, Supreme Australian Saddle Pony Exhibit, Reserve Champion Riding Pony filly, Reserve Champion Arabian Riding Pony , Reserve Champion Part Welsh Filly.

Rathowen Ricochet - Reserve Champion Riding Pony colt. 

E.F.A. HOTY Time in Queensland again. I haven't even had time to congratulate Kim Taunton on her success at gaining Newcomer of the Year at Queensland Rising Star Day with the lovely Rathowen Dark Crystal when the Horse of the Year Show came and went.  I suppose I have an excuse or two being at the AGM for the RP's in Melbourne but I have been slow in putting up the results.

Our two little darlings Shreds (Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons) and Fuchsia (Confusions of Rathowen) had a wonderful day, Shreds taking the Led Large Pony of the Year, then progressing to the Ridden Large Pony with the same success, and Fuchsia taking out both the same awards for the small galloway.  I have to give a huge thank you to all involved Nina and Sally George and Miss Beau Cunning for Shreds and the inimitable Kelly Bond for Fuchsia.  Kelly also had success with Lucy's Show Hunter Pony, Jurah Serenity.

Hard on the death of his mother came the terrible news of the death of Rathowen XL - Felix to all his many friends and admirers.  He was the most amazing pony with the brilliant movement of his sire and compact correct conformation that took him to many Royal and National Championships under the care of both his first owner, Annette Woods and then under that of Maggie Lees for whom he flourished .  Maggie is devastated as we are.  

15th June. It's been one of those weeks. Kelly bond and Confusions has been having an enormous run of success with both Fuchsia and Plush on the Queensland scene, and Sue Lyons has had Davinia (Rathowen the Diva) out twice for two Res. Champs both times, very nice for an inexperienced yearling.

We had to put two of our old timers down this week, which is always sad.  Old Kirreway Xina dam of National Champion Rathowen XL owned by the Sefton Stud of Maggie Lees and Bill Pryse, and also Kirreway Soloist.  Soloist, a well-performed pony in her own right had started to show signs of Cushings last season.  She had produced very well for us, being dam and grand-dam of many champions, including Soliloquy of Rathowen, Rathowen Solomon (Australian Champion), Rathowen SoHo, Solitaire of Rathowen, Shades of Rathowen, and Rathowen Soprano of Spring.

We have sent one of the best Riding Pony foals and the first of those by Kolbeach Freedom to EB Lodge to be shown.  She is a most promising filly, with outstanding movement, and will be better prepared and shown by Andrew Buckely, Sam Heald and Julie Tayler than she would here at home in competition with all the other little hopefuls.  This filly is Rathowen Free Spirit (see Youngstock) and is from Rathowen Sepia Shadings (by Langtree Valentine (dec,) out of Shades of Rathowen, and went with Rathowen Ricochet (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Royalwood Reflection) to join the Show Team at EB Lodge. 

  20th April.  Time flies when you're having fun but it flies whether you're having fun or not, actually.

Toowoomba Royal.  The George Family's Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons made up for the fact that the three "thoughtful" sisters all had problems, with Confusions, Contemplations and Pensive, all of whom have been good contenders at Toowoomba out of action.  Shreds, however, despite trying to join them when she stuck her foot over a hot wire and pulled back resulting in a small but deep cut, showed that she could tough it out, and went up Champion Led Riding Pony Mare, Supreme Led, Champion Ridden, and then topped it off with Champion Open Pony Hack!

Photo by Lorelle Mercer

12th March, 2008  - One up on last weekend.  Martine and Saxony went Champion at the now misnamed "Purple" Show.  Not to be outdone Jaimie McCormack took Champion Arabian Riding Pony with Sue Oberg's Rathowen Red Ruffles, sister to both Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons and Rathowen Lady In Red.  She also went Reserve Champion Riding Pony, and a few other good things.

3rd March, 2008  It's nice to get going again, although by remote control.  Martine Duncan ventured out to the "first' event in the now Flu-free Sydney area, taking little Rathowen Saxony (Princess) to Hawkesbury and Hills District Hack Assoc. Show, and caused a little stir by taking Reserve Champion Pony Hack.

Congratulations to Terrie Lamey on her success at Bathurst Royal with Rathowen Envy (Courtland Boy Blue x Salieri Girl (originally named Rathowen Sanction, and brother to Kelly Bond's Salutations.)  Not content with Champion Newcomer he went on to take the Open Champion Galloway Hack.

Matthew Patterson (Tas.) rang through to say that Rathowen Macnamara, leased to the Mainland (Victoria) won Champion Galloway at the EFA Summer Show last week, and went Champion Galloway Ridden by a Child at Barastoc on Thursday.  He also went Res. Champion Led Galloway (Junior).

Martine Duncan of Grose Vale has now purchased the lovely Rathowen Saxony who she has leased now for some while.  Saxony has only been out twice for a Champion Pony Hack at Gosford Ag. show last year.

8.12.07  It's a boy - a huge chestnut colt, to be big galloway.  

More babies - photos when they "unscrunch!" -  only one left to go now, the Thoroughbred mare Salieri Girl, who is as big as a house although she is only five days overdue.  This weeks contribution to the numbers are a bay filly by Courtland Boy-Blue from Portia (Colorado Rose by Jan Murray).  This is her first foal, and a fine effort, with a star and snip and one white sock behind.  She has no problems, and the foal is doing well.

This morning greeted us (3.50 a.m.) with another filly - chestnut, white stripe and one white foot behind, and very beautiful, from Rathowen Lady In Red (Rusty) by Kolbeach Freedom aka Clancy.  I wish Rusty had taken to motherhood with the same aplomb as Portia, but her insecurities showed through as she refused to believe that her new baby would actually follow HER!  We had to back her out of her paddock and all the way to the stable so she could keep her eye on it. She roared like a stallion when it needed a bit of incentive to go into the loosebox, and Ian actually touched it!  Clancy is very pleased with his first effort.  Four foals, four fillies, and all of them pretty special.

Radway Royal Sonnet (Imp.) did her usual excellent production, with a chestnut filly by Kolbeach Freedom, beautiful filly nicely marked, and pleasant to deal with which is just as well as she promptly cut her front leg just before I left for the National Riding Pony Meetings in Melbourne, leaving Ian to have to medicate her, etc.  Thank you, Jaimie for all your help.

Royalwood Reflection (Syon Royal Portrait (Imp.) x King's Cover Girl by King Cyrus) has produced an excellent bay colt which looks as if it will be small galloway.  Very swish.

Kirreway Xina (Carolina's Cat's Whiskers (imp.) x Piccolino T.B. Mare) has surprised us with a leggy chestnut filly by Courtland Boy Blue, white stripe and one white stocking behind, very well-grown, looks to probably be small galloway.

No shows, not much to skite about - except for foals.  We are very pleased with the first two babies by Kolbeach Freedom, one from the old Faithful, Rathowen Russet, dam of R. Lady In Red, Red Ruffles, and recent Brisbane Champion for the George Family, Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons.  This will not be all that big, probably about 13-13.2, but she is a definite pocket rocket, bay with a nice white stripe (crooked, of course, just to make sure she didn't let us think we were having it all our own way), and two long sox behind, and what looks like two short ones in front but hard to determine until I see her wet.  Very stylish.

Rathowen Sepia Shadings (Langtree Valentine x Shades of Rathowen) has given us the other one, very tiny, bright chestnut, even white stripe, two stockings and one long sock.  Super quality.  So far so good.  The others are all warming up... 

Brisbane Royal - the end of our shows for a while.... (No I didn't know about the Flu when I wrote that!)

Congratulations now to Rathowen Pensive, Champion ANSA mare and Supreme Led ANSA Exhibit. She also placed very well in all her Galloway classes, including third in the Child's for Kirsty Harper Purcell.

Her sister Confusions has just won the Champion Led Arabian Derivative Mare, for Kelly Bond, whose other entry won the Ridden Championship.. 

Now for the third of the Three Sisters.....

Congratulations to Carlie and Tempo!  Carlie Taunton and Contemplations of Rathowen won her Galloway class 14.2-15h. and then went up Reserve Champion Galloway Hack.  This follows Runner-Up Galloway of the Year at Grand National earlier in 2007, so it's been a great year for this combination.

(I've got the fourth sister.  Considerations, here at home, with her beautiful chestnut filly by Penmarric Killarney!)

Also to The Koorey  family of Queensland for their Champion Show Hunter Galloway Rathowen Timothy ridden by Kim Durante.

More on Brisbane Royal - Monday 13th - Who said the thirteenth was unlucky?  Shreds went out in the Novice Pony Hack and won.  Then the Open, with Jasmine Hunt's Rathowen Status Quo (Courtland Boy Blue x Rathowen Quona) second to her, and Mezaire also in the final line-up.  Then, right in the middle of Feed-Up a phone call came to say she had taken the Championship, beautifully ridden by Beau Cunning.  We will never be able to thank Nina, Sally and Peter and Beau enough for all their hard work and dedication.  If it weren't for Nina and Sally Shreds would still be sitting in the paddock, probably in foal by this time to Kolbeach Freedom the same as her lovely sister Rathowen Lady in Red whose ridden career was cut short due to injury,, and her illustrious mother, Rathowen Rustic (Incestuous lot, aren't we?).  

Scarlet Ribbons -  When I started this I had just heard that Shreds (Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons) had won her Led Riding Pony Class, and that Fuchsia (Confusions of Rathowen) had also won hers.  Hooray for that!!! We wondered how they would go against each other in the Championship, but were well aware that there are a lot of other beautiful Riding Ponies to take them on. However, much as we adore Fuchsia who went up Supreme last year, Shreds is all Pony, Pony, Pony and so...  

She's certainly underway!  First Royal and she won the 12.2 - 13.2 Ridden Riding Pony, as well, and went up Reserve Champion - a bit flustered by it all, but handled it okay.  Congratulations, Sally, Nina and all associates!  Also Kelly for her great performance with Fuchsia (see below.)

BRISBANE ROYAL.  We've always loved Brisbane Royal, and hate the fact that we haven't been able to make the trek up there lately. Last year was brilliant with Kelly Bond's Fuchsia (Confusions of Rathowen) taking out the Supreme Led Riding Pony Exhibit. This year her old stablemate Sally George's Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons (Courtland Boy Blue x Rathowen Russet) made her debut, to take out the 12.2 - 13.2 hand Led Mare class.  Fuchsia won the 13.2 - 14.2 hand class again, with another Courtland Boy Blue mare taking the under 12.2 class.  A mare by Rathowen Parody won the Broodmare class!  Scarlet Ribbons then went on to take the Champion Mare award, with Fuchsia Reserve, and then Scarlet Ribbons, ably shown by Sally George, took the Supreme. Kristen Taunton's Tremayne Standing Ovation was 2nd in a large Filly class, with stablemate Rathowen Review, also by CBB, third.  We reckon Harry deserves extra oats tonight! Congratulations all.

11th August - Gosford Show.  First outing for little Rathowen Saxony (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Radway Royal Sonnet (Imp.) now under the care of Martine Duncan and Julie Tayler, and she came up trumps.  Winner of the Novice, she went on to take Champion.  She is a spunky little brown mare, sister to Royal Winner both in Australia and in NZ for Mrs. Viv Staples, R. Sommersette. She is a great mover with a lot of future.   

The Queensland Contingent seem to be having a good season.  The George Family's Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons, sister to Lady In Red and Red Ruffles, is making her mark, following a successful treatment of an old injury that had blemished her previously.  The Queensland Riding Pony Show was her first venture out after the "op", and although still a little "puffy" from it, she managed to take Reserve champion Led Mare, and went on to take the Ridden Championship.  Next was the North NSW Hack championships, where she won the Newcomer championship, and went on to go Reserve in the Open, thereby qualifying for Grand National.  Her next venture was the SHC of Queensland Newcomer/EFA Rising Star weekend, and she was Champion at both of these.  Well done to Nina and Sally - it looks like she's on her way.

The two faces of Nina George LLB (Hons) B.A. (Jour):  Congratulations on both occasions!

Congratulations also to Carlie Taunton and Contemplations - nice wins for both of them, Zanthe Heaton and the Heaton family doing super well with both Mezaire and Perhaps So, Kristen Taunton with the Harry babies Tremayne Standing Ovation from the beautiful Writhgil Ovation, back in foal to Harry, and Rathowen Review, Champion and Reserve Champion Filly at the Queensland RP Show.

Kelly Bond has also been busy taking Supreme Hack of Nambour Show with Confusions.

                                                                                *****************

No, we haven't dropped off the face of the earth, but have been trying to catch up on fundamental things like weaning and handling the youngsters and doing routine maintenance before the shows and stud season gets going again in full force. For the first time in a while we had our own out at both Campbelltown and Hawkesbury Shows in the form of the brown pony mare Rathowen the Pagan (Chippenham Warrant x Fairlight Acres Style Pattern) who will be out under saddle in the coming Spring.  However, to get back into the swing of things we had her out In-Hand, and Campbelltown was kind to her.  She went up Champion in the Arabian Riding Pony ring, and Champion and Supreme in the Part Welsh, and Reserve Champion in the Riding Pony. At Hawkesbury she went up Champion in the Arabian Riding Pony ring, but was the wrong bloodline for the Riding Ponies - we should have taken one of the Harry's, as both the Champion and Reserve were by him .

The Sydney Show season used end pretty abruptly after Campbelltown and Hawkesbury Show, but now it seems to drag on in dribs and drabs, which means the poor ponies get little respite, and do not get a proper spell or let-down and neither do their owners. St. Ives is now in the middle of May, and hopefully we have a break after that, with only the foal show to interrupt.

Kelly bond had a lovely Arabian Challenge Show, taking Supreme Arabian Derivative - Led with Confusions and also the Champion Ridden Galloway, Ridden Hack with Saffron who also took out the Philippa Russell Memorial Sash -

Another Show Season is drawing to a close with the 2007 Grand National over and done with: Only the Royal and a couple of local shows to go, and peace for a little while!!!!

Congratulations to all who competed at this year's Grand National, and to these in particular:

Top Five Show Hunter Galloway:  The Koorey's Rathowen Timothy (Heatherbrae Master Aladdin x Rathowen Timoni) -15 years old and still going strong.

Grand National Large Pony of the Year The Priestley Family's Saltram Centrefold (Courtland Boy Blue x Robbanie Miss Jones {Heatherbrae Master Aladdin})

Runner-Up Grand National Small Galloway of the Year:  Kelly Bond's Confusions of Rathowen (Courtland Boy Blue x Thoughtful Miss)

Runner-Up Grand National Large Galloway of the Year:  Kim and Carlie Taunton's Contemplations of Rathowen (Courtland Boy Blue x Thoughtful Miss).

All the results haven't filtered through yet from Toowoomba Royal but so far:-

Carlie Taunton and  Contemplations of Rathowen - Supreme Ridden Arabian Derivative.

Kelly Bond with Confusions of Rathowen - Supreme Led Arabian Derivative, Champion Led Senior Riding Pony Exhibit, Res. champion Australian Saddle Pony Exhibit,  Champion Galloway Hack, SUPREME LED OF SHOW. Kelly also run her Lady Rider class.

Congratulations also to Kristen Taunton with Tremayne Standing Ovation for her win in her class, and Jackie Heaton with Rathowen Perhaps So for their success in her classes.

NATIONAL RIDING PONY SHOW

NATIONAL RIDING PONY NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - RATHOWEN PALADIN -  THE CHARLESWORTH FAMILY AND CAMERON WOODS.  Rider CHERIE SPINKS.

CANBERRA ROYAL  - Congratulations to:- 

I don't know where to start, and if I leave out anyone, or any result, please excuse me. I'm still shell-shocked.

LED GALLOWAY MARE 14H - 14.2  CONFUSIONS OF RATHOWEN - KELLY BOND

CHAMPION LED GALLOWAY MARE - CONFUSIONS OF RATHOWEN - KELLY BOND

Novice Galloway Hack 14-14.2 -4th

Ladies Galloway Hack - lst

Led Riding Pony Mare - 2nd, RESERVE CHAMPION LED MARE, 2ND  13.2 - 14.2 RIDDEN MARE

LED AUSTRALIAN SADDLE PONY MARE N.E. 14.2 - 1ST, SUPREME LED AUSTRALIAN SADDLE PONY EXHIBIT

LED GALLOWAY GELDING 14.2 - 15H.  RATHOWEN STORM WARNING - LOCKHART FAMILY

CHAMPION LED GALLOWAY GELDING - RATHOWEN STORM WARNING - LOCKHART FAMILY

HEAVYWEIGHT GALLOWAY HACK -14.2 - 15H.

LED RIDING PONY COLT, FILLY OR GELDING N.E. 14.1 - RATHOWEN QUANTUM - SANDRA TOTH

CHAMPION LED RIDING PONY YOUNGSTOCK - RATHOWEN QUANTUM

 SUPREME RIDING PONY EXHIBIT - RATHOWEN QUANTUM

RATHOWEN RED RUFFLES - S. OBERG 2ND  Led Arabian Derivative 3 years and Under.

RATHOWEN COLUMBINE - L. HARRIS  5TH Led Riding Pony mare  n.e. 14.2

RATHOWEN PALADIN - ANNE CHARLESWORTH  2nd Novice Pony Hack, 3rd led R.P Gelding, 3rd Ridden 12.2 - 13h, 4th Child's Ridden Pony

RATHOWEN TOY SOLDIER - T. STEDMAN-TOWELL 2ND Ridden R.P. Stallion n.e. 14.2, 1st Ridden ASPA Stallion n.e.14.2 h.

RATHOWEN VIZIER -  C. HALL - 2ND Led Arabian Derivative Gelding (haven't got the others).

and congratulations to the Harry offspring that were successful

REGENCY ROCK STAR - G. EVERINGHAM  RESERVE CHAMPION ARABIAN DERIVATIVE MARE

Dresden Touch of Glamour, Rosebrook Victoria, Rosebrook Rhythm and Blues, Saltram Centrefold, 

National Runner-Up Galloway of the Year at Werribee, Rathowen Macnamara once again has won Galloway of the Year for in Tasmania for Matthew Patterson.  Congratulations Matthew and Martin!

Debbie Taylor-Thies has had a fabulous win with her recent acquisition, Dreamtime Eye Candy (Courtland Boy Blue x View Bank Bubbling) going Supreme Derivative Female Exhibit at the recent Victorian Classic.  The filly was the foal Bubbling was carrying when she was sold some time ago.  Congratulations on a great win and immaculate presentation.

Well, Summer Royal has been and gone, and no, we didn't get there.  However, some of the ponies did represent nicely.  First and foremost was Julie Conti's Rathowen by George, (photos further down in this section) who took Champion Australian Saddle Pony Stallion, Reserve Champion Arabian Riding Pony and was placed in his Riding Pony  Class.  Julie also had major success with her Warmbloods.

Helden Park Petit Fleur by Courtland Boy Blue had her usual success, winning both in led and ridden classes, and taking Reserve Champion Ridden Riding Pony.

On the local scene:  Congratulations to the following for their success:

Sydney Regional Hack Show:  Rathowen Paladin -  Cameron Woods - Reserve Champion Large Pony.

Bowral Annual Show:  Rathowen Vizier - Christie Hall - Champion Large Pony.

Pambula Annual Show:  Rathowen Criterion -Renae Fowler-Haye - Reserve Champion Galloway Hack in both Rings

Albion Park Annual Show:  LJS Heavens Above - Lisa Cleary - Champion Large Pony. (Photo further down)

                                                  Saltram Centrefold - Priestley Family - Res. Champion Large Pony Hack.

                                                  Rathowen Storm Warning  - Lockhart Family - Reserve Ch. Galloway Hack. 

And Also: Peta McMinn of Tasmania on her success with her recent acquisition, Rathowen South Wind, sister to R. Storm Warning for Supreme Led Exhibit at the Tasmanian Riding Pony Show, and for her win under Saddle as well.

Congratulations to Matthew Patterson for his great effort in riding Macnamara once again to Runner Up National Galloway of the Year at Werribee last week. And to Martin O'Byrne for his help in the production. Mac put on a breathtaking display to take the sash. Also to Paladin and Contemplations for excellent work at the very highest level.  

Grand National Qualifiers:  It would appear there are about eight in which we have a great interest, and these we wish all the best in their preparation.  Lisa Cleary and LJS Heavens Above (N.S.W.), Rathowen Paladin (N.S.W.)  (hardly having drawn breath from Werribee), the Show Hunter Galloways Rathowen Timothy (Q.) and Rathowen Rustic (N.S.W.), Rathowen Storm Warning (N.S.W.), Contemplations and Confusions of Rathowen ( both Q.), Rathowen Macnamara (Tas.) 

N.S.W. YOUNGSTOCK SHOW.  While we were gallivanting around Werribee some of the youngsters were holding up there end at the N.S.W. Youngstock Show at Hawkesbury showground, run by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society.  The Heaton Family, down from Queensland for a successful Pacific Coast Championship with R. Mezaire, took a few bows home with Rathowen Perhaps So (Tia) (Courtland Boy Blue x Langtree Perhaps Love).  They went Champion Riding Pony Filly, Champion Saddle Pony Filly, Reserve Champion Partbred Welsh filly, but bombed a bit in Arabian Riding Pony class due to a bit over-exhuberance!  Never mind.  At least that was left for Sue Oberg's Rathowen Red Ruffles to win and then to go up Champion, and she also stood Reserve to Tia in the Riding Pony championship.  Also taking Reserve Champion Arabian Pony Gelding was Sandra Toth's Rathowen Quantum, with his full-brother, Rathowen Quartz placing well, handled beautifully as usual by Jaimie Maccormick for Sue Oberg.  Congratulations everyone.

Well, she did it again.  Congratulations to Lisa Cleary, Sara Muratore and LJS Heavens Above (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.)) on her winning NSW Show Horse Council Large Pony of the Year (Photo below).

        Photos by Lorelle Mercer

Looking as beautiful as ever Heavens turned up a stunning performance to take out the title.  We wish her all success at Grand National.  Her half-brother, Kolbeach Freedom (Fairley Tempest (Imp.) x  Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.)) has started his stud duties, his first mare for Rathowen being Russet, dam of Lady In Red, Scarlet Ribbons (see photo further down) etc.

Update 28th November.

Pacific Coast Championships:  Pacific Coast Champion Large Galloway went to The George Family's  Rathowen Storm Warning (photo following), in the capable hands of Roy Davies.  This is his first major show since he came down from Queensland.  

Also successful at the same show was another Queenslander Zanthe Heaton who rode Rathowen Mezaire to win the Open Pony 13.0 - 13.2 hands.

Bangalow Show saw Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons take the Ridden Riding Pony Championship and Reserve Open Champion for the George family, a step down in size from Nina's normal mount, Rathowen Storm Warning.

Rathowen Storm Warning, (Photo above) the George's Family of Queensland successful large galloway, is being campaigned now in New South Wales in the capable hands of Roy Davis and Bruce Flood.  To prevent too many withdrawal symptoms they have leased a PONY! The previously unshown,  Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons (Photo below), sister to the popular Rathowen Lady In Red, Red Ruffles, Russell, True Blue, Rudyard, and current Runner-Up Grand National Galloway Show Hunter of the Year, The Stickland Family's Rathowen Rustic, has headed North to a new world of the showring. So far she has been to Nimbin, and she won her breed classes, and went Novice Champion Under saddle, then came Alstonville All Breeds, when she went Intermediate Champion, and then Redlands where she went Open Champion.   She's on her way. 

          Rathowen Scarlet Ribbons   (photo Paula Anthony)                Her sister Rathowen Red Ruffles (photo Tracey Bavinton)      

Her next show was in conjunction with the EFAQ Judging Seminar, and here she went Novice Champion, with her old paddock mate, Rathowen Mezaire (photo below) owned by the Heaton Family and ridden by Zanthe Heaton taking the Open Championship.  Mezaire is full sister to Rathowen Macnamara, owned and shown successfully by Matthew Patterson and Martin O'Byrne, in Tasmania.  Mac has had a good run in the last twelve months. After taking Runner-Up Galloway of the Year at Werribee, he has since been Runner-Up EFA Galloway of the Year in Tasmanian, and Champion Galloway at both Hobart and Launceston Royals, and also HC Galloway of the Year.

Rathowen Mezaire ridden by Zanthe Heaton

Rathowen South Wind (Courtland Boy Blue x Kirreway Skye) has been sold into the ownership of the McMinn Family of Tasmania.  She has been shown very successfully for Debbie and Ashleigh Pratten by Terrie Lamey of Mendooran, who did the initial schooling on such successful horses as Rathowen VIP (Exp. NZ), Rathowen Electra (past NSW Galloway of the Year), Rathowen Criterion, etc., and Rathowen Rustic (Runner-Up Grand National Show Hunter Galloway of the Year.  Edwina Wilkes reports that Electra has just become a mum, albeit by remote control.  She was AI'd to Royalwood Boy Soprano, and ET'd into a surrogate trotting mare, who has produced a magnificent brown filly. 

Rathowen By George (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Rebecca of Ravenswood) (photo below), the bay two-year old colt owned jointly by Rathowen and Julie Conti of Dreamtime Stud in Victoria, and shown by Julie, had a good weekend at the Victorian Arabian Championships, where he wound up Champion Arabian Riding Pony Stallion from very good company.  He is a lovely natured colt, with a bit of height about him and plenty of movement, and beautifully prepared and shown.

Rathowen By George    (Photos by Derek O'Leary)

His older sister. Rave On Rathowen (below) also has been doing well in South Australia for her young owner, being Champion at her last show, and taking her tiny rider to success in her riding classes.

Rathowen Saxony, full sister to Royal Show winner, Rathowen Somersette (exp. N.Z.) (now a successful broodmare for Viv Staples Phoenician Stud in New Zealand, is to be campaigned by Martine Duncan and Julie Tayler, who have had great success in the past few seasons with Rathowen Toy Boy (National Newcomer of the Year).

Rathowen Macnamara (below), current EFA Runner Up National Galloway of the Year, has had another good season for Matthew Patterson and Martin O'Byrne. being Runner Up Tasmanian EFA GOTY, and then going Champion at both Hobart and Launceston Royals, and taking the Tasmanian SHC Galloway of the Year. Good wishes for Werribee again this year.

Photos by Lorelle Mercer

Rathowen Timothy (Heatherbrae Master Aladdin x Rathowen Timoni) has qualified for Grand National by taking the SHCQ Show Hunter Galloway of the Year ridden by Kim Durante.  J. and D. Etheridge's Dresden Touch of Glamour (Courtland Boy Blue ) took the Queensland Led Galloway of the Year. 

Confusions (below) has been at it again for owner Kelly Bond, taking Supreme Led Riding Pony Exhibit at the Brisbane Exhibition, the Led Arabian Derivative Mare class with her sister R. Pensive second to her. Pensive then went on to win the Ridden class. Confusions took numerous placings under saddle, and shortly afterward was Runner-Up Queensland SHC GOTY.  Next in line to her in this was older sister, Carlie and Kim Taunton's Contemplations.  

       Confusions of Rathowen

Another one of the family to qualify for Grand National is Rathowen Paladin (below) owned by Ann Charlesworth  of Kurrajong and shown by Cameron Woods, but ridden beautifully by Cherie Spinks.  Cherie is no stranger to the Harry stock, having shown both Saltram Springtime and Saltram Centrefold for many years. 

Rathowen Paladin ridden by Cherie Spinks

Congratulations to Kelly Bond, EFA Queensland Galloway of the Year, with Confusions of Rathowen, second time running.  Also to the George Family for a fine performance from Rathowen Storm Warning ridden by Nina, and to Contemplations ridden by Carlie Taunton.

Rathowen XS (photo below), galloway sister to Maggie Lees XL, current National Senior Led Riding Pony of   the Year, has been having a good run.  Now being shown in the capable hands of Jennah Richardson of Vancouver Park she has chalked up some nice performances at recent shows. Ch. Led Galloway, Lockhart Show, Champion Ridden Galloway at Wangaratta and also Champion led galloway, and Young show saw her take Champion Led Arabian Exhibit, as well as Reserve Champion  Led Riding Pony.

Brother to well known Queensland identity, and many times Champion at Brisbane Exhibition, Rathowen Parody, has surfaced and fallen on extremely fallow ground - since the ownership has transferred to that of the Charlesworth Family and Cameron Woods, Rathowen Paladin has scarcely been out of the ribbons.  Last Performance was Newcomer Champion at the Riding Pony winter Pony Show.  Rosebrook Victoria also too the Mini champion under saddle.

Sydney Royal 2006 has been particularly good for us.  It started with the lovely little brown mare, Debbie and Ashley Pratten's Rathowen South Wind, beautifully presented and shown by Terrie Lamie of Mendooran taking the 14 - 14.2 Led Galloway Mare, and then going on to win the Bamborough Trophy for the Best Led Galloway mare overall.  Not content with that she then won her Riding Pony Led Filly Class, went second in the Arabian Derivative Class, and then won the 3 Year Old All Breeds Futurity Class from a class of 33.  Many congratulations and thanks to this team.  South Wind won her partbred Welsh class last year, and then took Champion Partbred Welsh mare.   ( Photos by Lorelle Mercer.)

                Overall a good show for us, and for Harry's progeny.  To be congratulated are these winners, and apologies to any omitted - it got to the point that keeping up with them became very difficult, particularly as many have multiple registrations:  Sue Oberg's Rathowen Ruffles, 2nd Riding Pony filly, 4th Arabian Derivative; Robyn and David Boylan's Rathowen Toy Boy produced beautifully by Julie Tayler placed highly in several Led classes, but also took second in both the the Novice and Open Pony Hack, and the Ridden Riding Pony classes: Rosebrook Victoria, shown by her petite owner Caitlin Pennie 2nd Led Riding Pony Filly, sixth Ridden RP, Rathowen Vizier (Christie Hall) a multiple collection of awards both led and under saddle, Rathowen Toy Soldier (the Stedman-Towell family), Rathowen Beyond Blue (Joanne Swarbrick) 1st Arabian Derivative Gelding, with Kerri Patchett's Rathowen Celebration , who won last year, 2nd to him this year. Dresden Touch of Satin won the Lady's Galloway and last but most certainly not least Lisa Cleary's LJS Heavens Above kept up her wonderful record and won her Led Riding Pony Class, and followed it up with the Ridden Riding Pony class, and the ultimate Championship.  Congratulations all and many thanks. 

Congratulations to Mrs. Sandra Toth, and her son Mitchell, on their success with Rathowen Quantum (C.B.B. x Rathowen Quibble).His first outing was Maitland show , where he won, and second time out was the East Coast Arabian Championships.  Congratulations on his win, as he is only a yearling!

Grand National has come and gone, and congratulations to our qualifiers there:  Rathowen Storm Warning (the George Family), Rathowen Reflective, Rathowen Macnamara,  Confusions of Rathowen,  Rathowen Rustic, Rathowen Pensive, and also Harry's contributions LJS Heavens Above, and Dresden Touch of Satin. 

The National Riding Pony Show was our first venture out with our new acquisition, Keira Park Ambience (Kirreway Ambition (dec.) x Keira Park Amber) and we had not even unloaded when we heard "Rathowen" over the mike.  Rathowen Toy Boy owned by Robyn and David Boylan, under the production of Julie Tayler, had taken the National Newcomer  of the year title.

Next were the Senior Show Ponies, and Felix (Rathowen XL - Courtland Boy Blue x Kirreway Xina)  (photo below) owned and produced beautifully by Maggie Less and Bill Pryse was selected as a finalist, and then went up National Senior Show Pony of the Year!  congratulations Maggie and Bill, and to Karis who showed him expertly.  

Then our little newie was a finalist. She didn't go any further than that, but she behaved beautifully, and it was a lovely first outing.

Little Rosebrook Victoria (CBB x Mirinda Holly Green) took the Open Small Pony Championship the following day at Castle Hill. What a beautiful picture these two present together - her and her tiny rider.   

Canberra Royal saw  the stock do nicely.  R. Storm Warning did his usual fine performance and won his galloway class, R. Vizier won his novice pony hack class for Christie Hall, The Ryan Family's colt won his led class, and Confusions went up Reserve champion Led Riding Pony Mare or filly.  She also placed in her ridden Riding Pony Class, and in her Galloway class as well.   

Foaling is finished at last and a few of the stock have found new homes. The promising bay colt,  Rathowen By George (Courtland Boy Blue x Rebecca of Ravenswood (Treharne Talisman {Imp.}) has found a new home with Julie Conti in Victoria.

                      Julie Conti's Rathowen By George

Following a brilliant NSW State Riding Pony Show, Jackie Ryan informs us of further success with her little Rosebrook Victoria (Courtland Boy Blue x  Mirinda  Holly Green) taking the ridden Championship at the recent Annual Australian Saddle Pony Show with her tiny  8 year old rider showing her to perfection.  Many congratulations to both breeder and rider.

Werribee 2005 was wonderful for the stock by Courtland Boy Blue.  First Cab off the Rank was Lisa Cleary's LJS Heavens Above, with her sensational performance and win in the National Large Pony of the Year, 2005.  No, we didn't breed her, but yes, she is by Harry, and also she is out of the same wonderful old Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.) that is Clancy's dam as well.  Ridden to perfection by Sara Muratore, Heavens was outstanding.  Congratulations to all her connections.

Then the Galloways came in a rush, one following the other.  What an embarrassment of riches. Firstly the baby, Confusions with Kelly Bond, in her first major outing.  She looked a little apprehensive but the Werribee atmosphere is daunting, and she handled it very well and was most impressive particularly with her breathtaking trot.  Her time is yet to come.  

Next was the inimitable "Bubba", Rathowen Storm Warning, no real stranger to this level of competition, ridden expertly as usual by Nina George.  He performed brilliantly, and was placed third overall.  He was presented as usual to perfection, credit to both Nina and her mother, Sally.

 Then came the Tasmanian representative, Rathowen Macnamara, ridden by his owner Matthew Patterson, with an outstanding performance to go up equal to the winner, Janevelyn Jazzman, but to take the Runner-Up on countback.  Mac had not been the easiest one to present, with a setback or two in his lifetime, and his win was a triumph and just reward for Matthew's dedication and hard work. Well done.

After that I could breathe, all four having kept both their cool and their four feet on the ground!!!

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Gosh, I do have trouble keeping up with things, but it's that time of the Year.  

Hack Council Horse of the Year saw Kelly Bond and Confusions of Rathowen go up Small Galloway of the Year, with sister Contemplations in Top Five.  This follows Fuchsia's E.F.A. Title.  Nina George on Storm Warning was Runner-Up Large Galloway of the Year to Sanlirra Spellbound.  Rathowen Pensive was fourth.  Congratulations and thanks to you all.

Matthew Patterson has really done it in Tasmania with Rathowen Macnamara.  Galloway of the Year, and Champion Galloway at both Launceston and Hobart Royals.  Can he do much more?  Congratulations.

 Christie Hall also hit the High spots with Rathowen Vizier, taking E.F.A. Newcomer Large Pony of the Year, and also Rider of the Year, and Runner-Up Hack of the Year with Colorado.

With visiting mares to the Stud, and our own mares foaling and all that unpredictable stuff, shows are almost an impossibility.  We didn't get to the Riding Pony Show, but were pleased that Joanne Schwarbrick's R. Beyond Blue and Kerry Patchett's R. Celebration won and went second in their classes.

Huge Congratulations to The George Family and Kelly Bond of Queensland.  “Bubba” alias Rathowen Storm Warning was Runner-Up E.F.A Galloway of the Year, with the “baby” of the rather successful Thoughtful Miss family (Considerations, Pensive, Reflective, Contemplations and Confusions),  Confusions of Rathowen taking the Title.  Many thanks go to the hard work put in by Kelly and Nina and Sally – this being more of a shared affair than one would realize.  “Fuchsia” was leased to The George Family, and showed by her in her earliest shows, but leased on to Kelly when the family moved house.  Since then the combinations of Kelly and Fuchsia and Nina and Bubba have been formidable.

 N.S.W. State Titles – Congratulations to Joanne Swarbrick with Rathowen Beyond Blue, Champion led Arabian Riding Pony Gelding, and Reserve Champion the well-performed Rathowen Solomon for Mark and Debbie Colbran, who also did extremely well with him at Sydney Royal this year, and are making a mark in the Dressage Arena also.  Class winner and pladegetter also was Sue Oberg’s R. Red Ruffles .

 Brisbane Royal was a mixed bag.  Rathowen Pensive was Champion ANSA mare for Toni Harper-Purcell, and Toni has informed us that her 12 year old daughter is now riding her very successfully, taking out most of her Riding classes. Rathowen Reflective was also successful under saddle in ANSA classes.

 This was Fuchsia’s first Royal, and she reacted a little to the atmosphere.  Regardless she was second – Novice, third Open, fourth Ladies, a most commendable effort for such a baby.  Storm Warning took second in the Gents and Sixth in the Open.  Dresden Touch of Glamour, sister to the well-performed Dresden Touch of Silk, who was Supreme Led Riding Pony Exhibit some years ago took Reserve Champion Galloway Hack. There were other placings too, but I have not caught up with them yet. Please pardon.

 Debbie Pratten’s Rathowen South Wind has been placed with that capable lady Terrie Lamey to school and show now she is old enough to ride.   Terrie’s name does not hit the high spots enough because she is a country lady, but she did all the first schooling on such well performed horses as Rathowen VIP, Rathowen Electra, Rathowen Rustic, Rathowen Criterion, etc., and has the two youngsters, R. Cartel, and R. Sanction yet to start. 

14.6.05  And then there were five!  Theo alias Rathowen Reflective shown by Jo Parry and Rachel Clarke has qualified at the North N.S.W. Hack Championships. I think there has been yet another "grand-child" - one by Rathowen True Blue (Nicholas) in W.A., too, which is very pleasing.  It is very rewarding to see the stock breeding on. 

5.5.05 Kelly Bond rang us this week with News that Fuchsia (Confusions of Rathowen)  had done the right thing at Rockhampton Show and qualified for the Grand National, winning the small Galloway Championship.  Older sister R. Pensive kept things in the family by winning the big Galloway championship, and so bringing our qualifiers to four already.  Fuchsia had a good State Riding Pony show, taking Reserve Champion in both the Led and Ridden.

22nd April.

Kolbeach Freedom (Fairley Tempest (Imp.) x Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.))   (photo Lorelle Mercer)

Hawkesbury Show was good for us, although we only took the two babies, Rathowen the Pagan and Kolbeach Freedom.  They each had classes in three rings, and performed well, adding a few qualifying wins for next year's Royal.  K. Freedom (Clancy) won both his Riding Pony Class, and the Arabian Derivative Class, and then went on to take both championships.  Pagan won her Riding Pony Class, but had to settle for second in the Arabian Derivatives to Topaz (by Harry) who took the Reserve Championship for the Lees family, shown capably by Anika. 

It seems we have only just finished with one Grand National than everyone is out qualifying, or trying to, for the next.  Toowoomba Royal saw Rathowen Storm Warning take the large Galloway Championship to qualify him.  Little brother, who will probably be called R. Stolen Thunder, is about to be weaned.

Sydney Royal is with us again, and first news for us was Rathowen Reflective’s success taking the Novice Galloway Championship.  Congratulations to Rachel and Joanne and all his connections.  “Theo” then went on to take Reserve Champion ANSA under saddle, as well as other placings.  This was a good start for the “Harry” stock.

R. Pensive had a collection of placings both Led and Ridden. Heatherbrae English Rose was third in her Led Galloway Class.  LJS Heavens Above (Harry x Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.)) went up as Reserve Champion Large Pony Hack ridden beautifully by Sara Muratore for Lisa Cleary.  Heavens also won her Led Riding Pony Class.  Toy Boy won his Led Riding Pony  class immaculately  produced by Julie Tayler for the Boylan Family, and shown by Mark Kenzig.  Mikki – Rathowen Celebration by Rathowen Right of Way, won his Led Arabian Derivative Class for Kerry Patchett, and R. Vizier was second in the older Derivative section – both were beautifully shown by Christie Hall. Saltram Centrefold was second in the Novice Saddle Pony 13.2 - 14h, and had some other good placings as well.

Our own results started dismally, with a second placing in the Riding Pony Colt class for the new colt, Kolbeach Freedom (Fairley Tempest (Imp.) x Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.)), who worked well for Tor Van Den Berg.  However, he went up in the Part-bred Welsh colt class over what was almost the same field, with the winner of the Riding Pony class this time having to settle for fourth out of four.  “Clancy” then went up Champion Colt or Stallion.  Rathowen South Wind (Harry x Kirreway Skye) won her filly class, and then went up Champion Mare or Filly for Debbie Pratten, so it was in the family for Supreme, and ultimately won by Clancy.  He was shown again  by Tor Van Den Berg, who had fantastic results in the Warmblood Sections.  We have to thank Jaimie and Jonno for their help in preparation, and Naomi Forge for her spectacular browbands.

“Aussie Champs” as the Australian Arabian Horse Championships are affectionately known produced some good results for us. 

First time outer, Rathowen Red Ruffles, sister to Lady In Red and to  Rustic, etc., made an impressive debut taking the Reserve Arabian Riding Pony Yearling Championship with Tor Van Den Berge handling. She has now been sold to Mrs. S. Oberg of Bringelly.

Rathowen Red Ruffles (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Rathowen Russet) and Tor Van den Berge's hand. (Photo Tracey Bavinton)

  Lady In Red took the Ridden Arabian Riding Pony Championship – she took the Led Championship a couple of years ago, but has not been out since October.  She was capably ridden by Melissa Hughes, while Jaimie is temporarily out of action. 

Rathowen Lady in Red  (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Rathowen Russet) ridden by Melissa Hughes.  (Photo Tracey Bavinton)

  Sarahn Delta Blue also by Harry won her class, too, and Rathowen Toy Boy once again proved his superiority in the Gelding Championship.  Congratulations to the connections of Bevanlee Backchat for her Mare Championship – she is by the inimitable “Eddie” as we called him – Rathowen Souvenir Edition who is resident in Western Australia.

As usual I am having trouble keeping up with what should go on the web-site!  Firstly, the National Riding Pony Show held at Horsley Park.  As a stud we didn’t attend, but Rathowen XL was a finalist in the Led Adult Riding Pony of the Year, and also went Runner-Up Ridden Riding Pony Stallion of the Year.  His owner tells us that he had won the Champion Derivative under Saddle at Melbourne Summer Royal and was Runner-Up at the Victorian Classic, too.

Rathowen Rustic was Runner Up Child’s Riding Pony of the Year here, and eclipsed this the following week at the Grand National by taking Reserve Champion Show Hunter Galloway of the Year with his fourteen year old Rider, Rebecca Stickland! Rebecca’s younger sister, Casey, had taken the EFA Inter-School Champion with him shortly before all this success.

Grand National success also to Storm Warning – Top Five Large Galloway of the Year, and Reflective Top Ten.  LJS  Heaven’s Above went TopTen for Lisa Cleary. 

14th Feb 2005

Kelly Bond rang through with the news that Fuchsia a.k.a Confusions of Rathowen( Courtland Boy Blue x Thoughtful Miss) took the Supreme Hack of the Show at Logan Village (Q) Hack Council Championships on the weekend.  Fuchsia has been out of things for a bit while Kelly recovered from a broken arm (not Fuchsia's fault).  Rathowen Storm Warning (The George Family) took Reserve Galloway, which was a success story for them as they originally started Fuchsia on her winning way.

The Stud/Breeding/Show season, which is hectically all one and the same, always presents difficulty in keeping up with news, and apologies are offered to anyone left off the report.  Also please excuse any errors – sometimes friends ring in with their results which don’t get recorded accurately because there is never a pen or paper within coo-ee……

 Our sweet little Sally (Rave On Rathowen) (CBB x Rebecca of Ravenswood) has come out under saddle for Mrs. Debbie Thies with great success at Vasa (top Ten Open Small Pony and Top Four Novice Small Pony) and also at Hidden Valley (Champion Novice Small Pony, and Top Ten Open Small Pony).  This is her first year out under saddle.

 Michelle Shepherd from Tasmania rang through on her way home from the Tasmanian Riding Pony Show to report that Rathowen Song and Dance  (C.B.B. x Radway Royal Sonnet (Imp.)) had taken the Supreme Led Exhibit.

 Congratulations to Emma Coates with her Supreme Led Exhibit of Show at Pambula with his full sister, the diminutive Rathowen Saratoga :-      

 Also from Tasmania  Matthew Patterson’s Rathowen Macnamara  has taken Galloway of the Year and thus qualified for Werribee in December. 

 Melbourne Summer Royal: We must report on Rathowen XL’s (C.B.B. x Kirreway Xina) Stallion Championship at Melbourne Summer Royal. “Felix”, previously owned and shown by Mrs. Annette Woods to his Championship at Sydney Royal a few years ago, was recently sold interstate, and it must be gratifying to have a major win to his credit so soon.  Congratulations.

 XL also  took the hotly contested Arabian Riding Pony Stallion Championship and the Ridden class, and Helden Park Petite also by Courtland Boy Blue was Reserve Champion Riding Pony Filly.

 Congratulations to all those qualified for Grand National.  There are quite a few, some of which are repeat appearances.

 Rathowen Electra – Edwina and Jenny Wilkes (N.S.W.)

Rathowen Macnamara – Matthew Paterson (Tas.)

Rathowen Pensive (Toni Harper Purcell) (Q.)

Rathowen Reflective (Rachel Clarke) (N.S.W.)

Contemplations of Rathowen (Taunton Family) (Q.)

Rathowen Storm Warning (George Family) (Q.)

Rathowen Rustic (Strickland Family) (N.S.W.)

Rathowen Mezaire took her young rider Laura Galeano to qualification in N.S.W.

And to Rathowen True Blue, brother to R. Rustic and to R. Lady In Red, sired the HC Galloway of the Year in W.A. to qualify him.

 Congratulations also to Mrs. Jane Brookes of W.A. for showing Rathowen Pageant (Courtland Boy Blue x Fairlight Acres Style Pattern) to HC Led Riding Pony of the Year.

 Christie Hall has been having a run of success with Rathowen Vizier (C.B.B. x Rathowen Vision of Spring), who is scheduled to come out under saddle this year as a Newcomer. He was Champion Led Gelding at the N.S.W. Riding Pony Show, and Ch. Arabian Riding Pony at his next outing.  He is full brother to Rathowen VIP, who made the trip over from New Zealand for Werribee as their representative having taken their Pony of the Year, and performed very creditably despite never having been under such conditions previously.

3rd September, 2004

We had a lovely Brisbane Royal, even without Confusions competing.  Kelly Bond, after a very successful series of outings had the misfortune to break her arm and missed both HOTY and the Ekka.  However, R. Storm Warning won his Novice Galloway, and R.Pensive the Ladies’ and Reserve Champion.  In one class four Rathowen bred galloways took bows! Contemplations with Carlie Taunton and Rachel Clark’s Reflective also had a good show, and congratulations to Kristen Taunton for her success with her homebred colt. Laura Galeano, riding Mezaire, took sixth in the Open Pony Hack, and third in her riding class.

Thanks to the dedication, efforts and skill of clients, purchasers, etc., we have seven qualified for Grand National -  six of which are up for a second time around, which proves the first time was no fluke.  Storm Warning (Nina George), Electra (Jenny and Edwina Wilkes), Macnamara (Matthew Patterson), Reflective (Jo Parry and Rachel Clark), Pensive (Toni Harper-Purcell), and Contemplations (Carlie Taunton), and Rustic has qualified for Show Hunter with Terry Lamie, but has since been purchased by the Strickland family in the Sydney area.  Rathowen VIP (Courtland Boy Blue x Rathowen Vision of Spring), who was Newcomer of the Year in New Zealand some time ago has qualified to come over to Werribee representing New Zealand!

 Also just qualified this weekend at Tamworth is Lisa Cleary’s magnificent LJS Heavens Above (Courtland Boy Blue x Highmead Fancy Free (Imp.)), and Laura Galeano riding R. Mezaire for her Riding Class.

 We have just brought out our petite and lovely brown filly, Rathowen the Pagan – Chippenham Warrant x Fairlight Acres Style Pattern -  first show was Penrith with good classes, and she won in all her eligible rings – Riding Pony, first and Champion, Part bred Welsh, first and Reserve champion, and first in a strong Arabian Derivative class where her diminutive size was a decided disadvantage. As the Chippenham Warrant filly from R. Somersette (Exp. N.Z.) 'The Phoenician High Court' is still going strong in the showring, the saddle world’s gain when Warrant was gelded may have been the Breed World’s loss, as he seems to have proven a capable sire.

 Lady in Red has also just come out under saddle ridden by Jaimie McCormick, already picking up some good bows and needs one more qualification for Sydney.

4th July, 2004  More News from Kelly Bond and Confusions, taking Champion Galloway Hack and Supreme Ridden Horse of Rosebank Show last week.  Very nice performance from a three year old.  

Terry Lamey, who started both R. Electra and Rathowen V.I.P. (N.Z.), has sold her galloway Show Hunter, R. Rustic move back to the Sydney area, to the Strickland family, who are very strong in the Pony Dressage movement.  Rustic (Vince) was Champion Show Hunter at Bathurst Royal and is the fourth "Harry" qualified for the Grand National. Terry has bought R. Electra's full brother, a bay, and the bright red chestnut colt foal from Salieri Girl by Harry.  

21st June, 2004

This update was started yesterday, but latest news from Queensland came in last night that Kellie Bond followed up her 2004 EFA New Star Champion Galloway of the Year with Confusions of Rathowen by taking out the Hack Council Rising Star Galloway of the Year as well.  This is a wonderful start for a wonderful combination, and follows Contemplations success last year. 

Another nice combination about to start competing is Jaimie McCormick (Allotta)  partnering Lady In Red.  Jaimie, who worked for us for quite a while in her single days,  has shown "Rusty" in hand from when Rusty was first started, and looks very well on the big-moving, little mare.  We are hopeful of getting two little darlings out in hand this coming season - Rathowen the Pagan (Chippenham Warrant x Fairlight Acres Style Pattern) and Rathowen Saxony (Courtland Boy Blue x Radway Royal Sonnet) .  These are both brown, same size, both with white stars and the same white foot behind - no, you aren't seeing double!

Last year's dark brown filly from Kirreway Skye by Harry, Rathowen South Wind which went to Mrs. Debbie Pratten, had a great success at her first outing, taking Supreme In Hand under the prowess of Anthony Mountney.      

Since the Royal-That-Never-Was (for us, anyway) we have been pretty busy, weaning and dispatching the sold foals, and trying to survive the drought, the latter being a real worry.

 We have had some nice recent results from elsewhere:  R. Storm Warning (Nina George) was large Galloway Champion at the 2004 North N.S.W. Hack Championships, with R. Reflective (J. Parry) Reserve.  R. Electra (Edwina Wilkes) was small Galloway Champion, which meant all these qualify for 2005 Grand National.  Both Contemplations (C. Taunton) and Pensive (T. Harper-Purcell) placed.  

 2004 Queensland E.F.A. New Star Galloway of the Year and also Supreme Led Youngstock Exhibit -  Kellie Bond with three-year-old Confusions of Rathowen.  “Fuschia” has had a wonderful run of success, starting out with Sally  and Nina George, and now with Kellie in the saddle.  Fuschia is the last of the five offspring from Thoughtful Miss by Courtland Boy Blue, four of which have competed at the Grand National.  

Rathowen VIP, despatched to New Zealand some years ago, and Newcomer Pony of the Year over there almost immediately, piloted by his new owner Nikita Brown (at fourteen), has qualified to return to Australia to compete at Werribee, having taken out the prestigious 2004 New Zealand Pony of the Year. “Victor” was purchased as a yearling and started his career with Terry Lamie, who also started R. Electra, 2003 Pacific coast champion Galloway and 2003 N.S.W. H.C. Galloway of the Year.

Grand National 2004   Very Happy with the Results, and congratulations to everyone who competed.  Just getting there is fantastic.  Storm Warning (Nina George), Electra (ridden by Gina Beck) and Saltram Centrefold (Cherie Spinks) all "top fived", and just out of major bows!

 Sydney Royal 2004 for our own ponies was a bit of a fizzer. A bit overwhelmed by work and Ian not being in the best of health for a bit, one by one we cancelled our own entries, so that the only one left in was Considerations, who had been back in only four weeks, and looked abysmally light on.   She managed third in her Arabian Derivative Class, but little Toy Boy shown by Robyn and David Boylan of Glossodia saved the day for the ponies, and Reflective went up to take the Sash for Best Gelding Exhibit, and placed well in his Ridden.

 R. Pensive did brilliantly for her new owners, the Harper-Purcells of Queensland, and won the Led large Galloway Mare, and also Champion ANSA Mare.  We didn’t show in the Riding Pony section at all, but some Harry babies took some good ribbons in both this and the open sections:  Rosebrook Victoria, Woranora Cascade, Saltram Centrefold, R. Solomon, R. Electra, etc.

 It has been one of those seasons where nothing has fitted in, with the result that we haven’t been able to get out to any shows ourselves.  However, we have been nicely represented by a few of the ponies:

 Rathowen Macnamara and Matthew Paterson have been having a really successful run, both in led classes and in ridden Galloway classes, and will be up for the Grand National.  Others that have qualified for this prestigious event are: Rathowen Storm Warning and Nina George, Jenny and Edwina Wilkes Rathowen Electra, Rathowen Reflective owned by Jo Parry and Cherie Spink's Saltram Centrefold who is by Harry, and is in the large pony section.

 Eleven year old Laura Galeano and Rathowen Mezaire have had a really good couple of shows.  Laura has been doing superbly in her riding classes, taking Champion girl rider at most of her recent shows, but St. Ives Show topped the lot.  Mezaire (Courtland boy Blue x Weston Maree) won the Champion Ridden Arabian Derivative, Reserve Champion Ridden Riding Pony, Champion Pony Hack (Open) and Laura again took the Championship for her Riding.  The following week at the Australian Arabian Championships she was Reserve Ridden Arabian Riding Pony Mare, Reserve Youth Competitor and one other Reserve Championship.  Congratulations also to the Boylan Family who took Res. Ch. Arabian Riding Pony Gelding, and to the new owner of Rathowen Shining, who went Reserve Australian Champion Arabian Riding Pony Mare.  Shining was also Champion Arabian Derivative mare at Blacktown Show.

 February 25, 2004

Well, we have had a fantastic year as far as results are concerned, but you certainly wouldn’t know it by the website.  The drought brings with it not only the added expense of extra feeding, but also the work involved on a daily basis.  The horses out at “the swamp” look as if they are going to burst, but we don’t like leaving anything pregnant out there as they are basically unsupervised, and having witnessed a few “slipped” foals that have gone wrong risking both their lives and that of the mare as well,  I would not like to subject any mare to such a fate were no one there to intervene.

 Focus on Rathowen (Courtland Boy Blue (Imp.) x Feature of Rathowen {Chippenham Architect x Kirreway Soloist}) owned by Mrs. Debbie Taylor-Thies and presented as immaculately as usual went his winning way at the National Riding Pony show at Canberra last weekend.  He qualified in his Stallion Class, and then went on to be Runner Up Senior Riding Pony of the Year.

Melbourne Summer Royal was a “miss” as we still had mares to serve, and one mare dragging the chain with foaling, but still left our mark.  Focus on Rathowen who has already had a win there as a Riding Pony, and a Champion as an Arabian Riding Pony, swept the entire field in the Arabian Derivatives and was Supreme Exhibit.  He is the same cross as Lady in Red who took Supreme at Sydney, being from a Chippenham Architect mare by Courtland Boy Blue.  Debbie Taylor-Thies is to be congratulated on his presentation, and also that of Rave On Rathowen who won her Arabian Riding Pony Filly class, and went Reserve Champion.  Focus was also Reserve Champion Riding Pony Stallion.

Congratulations must go to:  Nina George on her second win of HC Galloway of the Year in Queensland with Rathowen Storm Warning, Edwina and Jenny Wilkes and Rathowen Electra for HC Galloway of the Year in N.S.W. and also the Pacific Coast Championships, and Matthew Patterson in Tasmania for Supreme Newcomer of the Year in Tasmania with Rathowen Macnamara. His sister, Mezaire, is home from Queensland and has taken up residence with the Galearo family of Dural, and young Laura (11) has already had considerable success, being Supreme Champion under Saddle at the Sydney Regional Hack Council show, with Laura taking Champion Girl rider there and also at  Morisset Show.

 On the homefront Lady in Red continued her winning way after Supreme Arabian derivative Exhibit at Sydney and Senior Champion Arabian Riding Pony Mare at the Australian Arabian Championships, and took the National Show Senior Arabian Riding Pony Championship. Soprano of Spring repeated last year’s success with Supreme Part Welsh  Youngstock Exhibit at the N.S.W. All Welsh.  Considerations went Champion at Blacktown Spring Show, but we have had a busy season studwise and not shown much. 

 News from New Zealand was that Somerset’s foal by Chippenham Warrant, The Phoenician High Court, shown as a yearling went Supreme Riding Pony Exhibit only a little while ago, and followed that up a few weeks later with with a Supreme Led of the Show! Somerset’s second foal, a chestnut filly by Radway Talk of the Town is something very special.  Can’t wait for her to produce a colt!

17.6.03  Our babies had a brilliant Rising Star Show in Queensland.  Danielle Rowles showed her Solitude of Rathowen (Tudor) to Rising Star Large Pony of the Year, and Carlie Taunton showed Contemplations (Tempo) to Rising Star Galloway of the Year.

Jane Brookes from W.A. reports that little Rathowen Pageant has been going great guns the last few shows, taking mostly either Champion or Reserve with her new Junior rider on board.

10.5.03  Sydney Royal Show has come and gone, and with Hawkesbury out of the way we can settle down for the winter, and let the ponies relax for a while.

We had a good Royal, although we had a virus through the horses just before it, and had to keep our fingers crossed that none of the ponies entered contracted it.  It didn't do much more than elevate the temperature and made them lethargic and off their feed, but when Saratoga started leaving tucker we knew something very wrong was about.  So we scratched her, and had to be content with just three entrants - Lady In Red (Rusty), Soprano of Spring (Springs), and Considerations (Philos).   

Off to a bad start without Springs even getting off the circle in the Arabian Derivative Class, but Rusty repeated last year's performance and won her class, then unbelievable took Champion second time running over some very well-credentialed animals.  Male Champion was Willowcroft Regal Emblem, beating last year's Supreme Trincada Strike.  It is always a big ask for a mare to overcome the aura of a stallion, but Rusty and James went for broke, and turned up a super workout to take out the Supreme.  I couldn't believe that she had won the champion twice running, but we were all pretty stoked with the Supreme.  Reserve to Rusty was Naomi Forge's Escarda Spellbound, who slipped a lovely black filly foal by Harry last season.  Philos took second in her class to the champion Galloway winner, so we were very happy.  Her brother, Theo, (Reflective) also won his gelding class. not to mention second in the ridden, plus placings in the Galloway ring. 

Springs made up for things in the Riding Pony section winning the large two and under class, then going second in the Partbred Welsh, and on to Reserve Champion.

Hawkesbury approached with Jaimie opting for Bathurst, and James unavailable, so I took Springs hoping to find someone who could keep up with her to show her for me.  Sue Allfrey and Michelle McGilvery helped out, she won all her three classes, and went Champion Arabian Riding Pony Exhibit, and Reserve Champion Riding Pony and Reserve Champion Partbred Welsh.  That's the end of the season for her, now.  We have work to do on all the weanlings. Her brother, Solomon, with Mark Colbran in the saddle took Reserve Champion Galloway Hack the day before for Debbie and Mark, who have been showing him to much success this season.

Jaimie took Taz to Bathurst and won the Arabian Riding Pony mare class, but was beaten for Champion by Rathowen Toy Boy, now owned by Robyn and David Boylan of Glossodia, who showed him to win the Open Led Pony Championship, and Reserve Champion Riding Pony Exhibit, as well.  Congratulations on their efforts. 

Fuschia (Confusions of Rathowen), yet another of the Thoughtful family, had her first show for The George Family in Queensland going Reserve Champion at her first show, the Riding Pony Show. Sister Tempo (Contemplations) is having a good run for the Taunton family, taking Open Champion at her last two shows, which is very nice for a three year old.  Carlie Taunton and Danielle Rowles have also been having a good run with their ponies, Mezaire and Solitude.  I believe Rathowen Pensive, brought to prominence by Susan Paine has been sold to the Harper Purcell family, and we wish them good luck with her.  She looked brilliant at the Grand National, as did Tempo, and Nina George's Rathowen Storm Warning. 

16.2.03  It's been a while since I updated the show results, so here goes.  Jaimie McCormick and Jonno, with James Mullen and Lindy Stewart did the trek down to the relocated Melbourne Summer Royal, and had a successful show, with a bow to each of the ponies in everything they contested.

Lady in Red won her Led Mare class and went Reserve Champion Riding Pony, and took a minor placing in the Arabian Riding Pony class.   James also showed Soprano of Spring to second in her yearling class, and placed in the Arabian Riding Pony class and also Partbred Welsh.  Saratoga measured up from her normal class, and was overshadowed by the bigger ponies but still managed a third and a fourth.  

Springs stayed over for the Victorian All Welsh, and took Reserve Champion Partbred Welsh Filly.

We have had some lovely news from New Zealand, where our much loved Somersette, now owned by Viv Staples of The Phoenician Stud, not only presented her owner with one of the few fillies by Chippenham Warrant before he was gelded, but it is black and beautiful and winning already.  Somersette went Champion at the Royal Show, and the foal won her class.  The foal has been named The Phoenician High Court.

Debbie Taylor-Thies took little Rave On down to the Victorian Classic, and took Supreme Arabian Riding Pony Exhibit, and Mark and Debbie Colbran won Supreme Arabian Derivative Gelding with Rathowen Solomon, otherwise known as Piglet.  He also won the Intermediate Championship under saddle.

Rathowen Toy Boy took Supreme Youngstock Championship at the APSB Show in the Hunter Valley last weekend, as well.

Jaimie McCormick headed south with Saratoga to the Sutton Forest Youngstock Show, and came back with Champion Riding Pony Filly and also Champion Arabian Riding Pony Filly.  We didn't fare quite so well at the Youngstock Show at Clarendon the following week, however, taking Reserve Champion Arabian Pony filly.  However, Toy Boy (from View Bank Bubbling) took the Riding Pony Champion Gelding.

7.12.02  Solitaire foaled this morning, yet another colt from her - so far we have had four foals, four colts from this mare.  However, they all have been colts worthy of being kept as such, Sentinel going Reserve Champion at Sydney Royal, her second, the tall bay by Sufton Romany Lore (Imp.) having served his first mares this season, and the third, the bright red chestnut, Sentry, by Harry, yet to make his debut.  This is a seriously attractive colt, who moves very well, and who has surprised us as he has exceeded all expectations.  Mind you, Sentinel was also a late bloomer, so perhaps he's just trying to keep up with big brother.  Here's hoping!  The new baby, yet to be named, and also by Harry, is a red bay born (surprise, surprise!), so heaven knows what colour he will eventually be - end colours have ranged from yellow bay to almost black!  He is after the pattern of Sentinel - no white, but very much more substantial - I would guess he would be right up l3.2 - 14h. by the look of him.  Very attractive head and front.

This finishes foaling for here, although there are still some stragglers elsewhere.  This has not been the best season for us - we don't lose many foals but three slipped - one very early in the piece by Fame, and two later by Harry.  We also suffered "broken arm" repercussions, when a couple of mares we thought were in foal turned out not to be, so our numbers are down.  Because I was using my left arm to try mares last season I was not prepared to push Harry up too close, so two of the shy mares were missed.  Our filly percentages were excellent, however, as we did sell two mares in foal, and both had fillies.  So in all we only had two live colts, one of which is to be gelded, and one of the foals slipped was a colt. The colt we will geld is out of the Thoroughbred mare, Salieri Girl by Willowcroft Explorer, and he will be large galloway by the look of him.  He is a lovely boy, bright chestnut, nice stripe and one white foot and brilliant movement.

Lady in Red (Rusty) won her class and went Reserve Champion at the recent NSW Riding Pony Show. Her sister, the two year old liver chestnut, Scarlet Ribbons, has gone to Cherie Spinks to be broken in. Soprano of Spring (Springs) went second in a good yearling class.

Considerations was Champion Led Galloway, and Champion Galloway Hack at St. Ives with Mark Tarrant on board.

Congratulations to Debbie Taylor-Thies who once again took Supreme Derivative with her Anglo filly at the recent Victorian Arabian Championships.  She also showed her recent addition, the bay filly, Rave On Rathowen to Champion Arabian Riding Pony , which was her first outing.   This is the first foal from Rebecca of Ravenswood (Treharne Talisman),  her second, also a filly but chestnut has now arrived, and is looking good.

James Mullen took Soprano of Spring to the NSW All Welsh Show held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, and had head to tail success, winning her Partbred-Welsh filly class, Champion Filly, Champion Led Youngstock, and Supreme Partbred Exhibit.  What with the rug, the garland, and three broad sashes there was not much left of Springs to be seen.  Congratulations, James, and thanks.

Debbie and Mark Colbran have had considerable success with Rathowen Solomon (from Kirreway Soloist), winning the First Season Ridden sash at the Arabian Saddle Championships, with Mark on board.  He went extremely well both there, and was a finalist in the Galloways at the EFA HOTY as well.

Queenslanders had a lovely time at their HC HOTY.  Pensive followed up her win at Brisbane Royal by going Large Galloway of the Year for Susan Paine, and Storm Warning took the small Galloway of the Year title for Nina George, with Contemplations going Runner-Up for Carlie Taunton.  Solitude took Best Youngstock in the Led Pony section, and Vivienne won her Led Class in the Riding Ponies on the Sunday. All of these are by Courtland Boy Blue, with Penny and Tempo full sisters. Congratulations to every one.

Word came back from South Australia that Rathowen Timothy (Heatherbrae Master Aladdin x Rathowen Timoni) was still out and about, and winning well.  He was Champion Galloway Hack at Strathalbyn Show. 

Considerations had some nice exercise at the NSW EFA Horse of the year, and was a finalist in the Galloway of the Year coming in fourth on her points .  Solomon was also a finalist in the Newcomer Galloway of the Year the day before.  Lady in Red won  her class in the Led Riding Pony section.

A big weekend for the Queenslanders with the Gold Coast Three day Show on. Rathowen Mezaire (Carlie Taunton) won her Newcomer class, with Solitude second.  Mezaire then took the Newcomer Championship.  She also took Reserve Champion – Open, and Reserve Champion Arabian Derivative under saddle.  Solitude of Rathowen (Danielle Rowles) took Reserve Champion Led Riding Pony, and Supreme Arabian Derivative Exhibit.  Contemplations of Rathowen at her first show under saddle won her Maiden Galloway Hack class, and was 2^nd in the Novice for Carlie Taunton.

 Rathowen Storm Warning went his winning way taking Champion Newcomer Galloway, and Rathowen Pensive took the Open Championship for Susan Paine.

 First shows of the new season for us this week.  Pacific Coast Hack Championships for Considerations who broke in her trot, and went down to third in her only class.  Such is life.  Saltram Centrefold, by Harry, was second in his class, and performed very creditably for Cherie Spinks. This is a pony with a big future.

 Lady in Red went to Penrith Show with James Mullen, and took Champion Led Riding Pony Exhibit, a very nice start to the season.

 Rave on Rathowen has gone to join Focus on Rathowen at the Double TT Stud of Mrs. Debbie Taylor-Thiess near Albury, and Rathowen Blitz joins Rathowen SoHo under the ownership of Mrs. June Bode.

 Congratulations to Susan Paine and Rathowen Pensive Winner of the Novice Galloway 14.2 – 15 h.  at Brisbane Royal.

 We did it again this weekend.  Just didn’t get around to going to Blacktown, and it’s right in our own backyard.

 HOWEVER  Jaimie MacCormick ( ex-Allotta) took the micropony, Saratoga, and won both her Riding Pony class and her Arabian Deviate class, and took Reserve Champion Riding Pony.  Rathowen Toy Boy won his Riding Pony class, and was last seen at the top of his Arabian Deviate class, too.

 Rathowen Rustic ventured south, and had a lovely day.  Champion Led Galloway, Novice Galloway, Intermediate, 2^nd in his Open and Reserve Champion Galloway Hack.  Congratulations to Terrie and Vince on an excellent start to his ridden career.

 The Queensland contingent descended on the Gold Coast last weekend, with some rather good results.  R. Mezaire won her Newcomer class, and went on to Champion Newcomer, and Reserve Champion Open.  Solitude (Tudor) was second to her in her class.  Mezaire also was Reserve Champion Arabian Derivative, Ridden for Carlie Taunton.  Tudor was Supreme Arabian Derivative, Led for Danielle Rowles.  Contemplations (Tempo) won her Maiden Galloway class and was second in the Novice.  Rathowen Storm Warning won his Novice, and went Novice Champion for Nina George, and Susan Paine too the Open Championship with Pensive 

Here at home we had the Pacific Coast Hack  Championships.  Considerations was unsettled and only too third in her class, but Saltram Centrefold too second 13.2-14h.capably shown by Cherie Spinks.  James Mullen took Lady in Red to Penrith to win the Riding Pony Championship.

18.8.02  We didn't go to Brisbane Royal - a bit close to foaling time for some of the mares, but we were represented and very nicely. "Pax" alias Rathowen Parody once again won his Riding Pony Stallion class, and went Champion, thanks to Jill Arthy's usual immaculate presentation. He also won the Saddle Pony Stallion.  Rosebrook True Blue took third in the same Riding Pony stallion class, and also won the ridden Riding Pony Stallion for the Ryan family, ridden by Cherie Spinks, who sold her little Saltram Springtime up to Queensland while making the trip.  R. Storm Warning once again won his gelding class for Sally George, and was third in his ridden class . Contemplations took fifth in her Riding Pony class, and there are some other results not yet to hand.  Rathowen Pensive, sister to Contemplations and Considerations, won her Novice Galloway 14.2 - 15h. for Susan Paine.

11.8.02  Had some good news this week.  Little Rathowen Vantage (Janinos Little Joker x Rathowen Vision of Spring) once again went Small P.O.T.Y. in Northern Territory.  We have not heard from him for a while and are so pleased he has turned up, once again, in the ribbons.

While we are on the subject of "turning up" we have heard that the chestnut galloway gelding, Rathowen Macnamara has been purchased by Matthew Patterson in Tasmania, which is very exciting as he showed amazing potential as a youngster.  He is full brother to the pony Rathowen Mezaire who went E.F.A.  Newcomer Big Pony in Queensland a few weeks ago, so we will be keeping our fingers crossed he can perform as well. 

4.8.02 Considerations went out for the first time in a little while to the Hawkesbury and Hills Hack Association Show, which was a three ring circus,  very satisfactorily from all accounts.  She won her Open Galloway class ridden by Mark Tarrant, and Rathowen Electra was Champion in one of the rings for owner Edwina Wilkes.

N.S.W. All Breeds Foal Show.

 What a riot this show always is – except for babysitters there is not a horse over a year, and workouts are more often than not a disaster.  But it is always fun to see what is coming up.

 Soloist’s foal, Rathowen Soprano of Spring, behaved long enough to get “scrubbed up” for the occasion.  Riding ponies would have to be the worst, as they must be presented plaited, etc.  We took three one year, and that was horrific.  This year there was only “Springs”, but she brought home as many sashes as the three.  She won all her filly classes – Riding Pony, Arabian Riding Pony, and Partbred Welsh, and was Reserve Champion in the Riding Pony ring, and champion in both the others.  Then she fronted up and went Supreme Arabian Derivative foal, and teamed with Saratoga to win the Sires Progeny Championship Group.  She worked very well,  with James leading, but was getting a little jaded by the final lineup for Supreme Foal of the Show, which consisted of two Riding Ponies (one of which was Arabian Derivative) one Welsh A, and a Warmblood.  Winner was the Warmblood, a very attractive foal.

 It was first outing for Vivid Image, a foal sold with her dam, Vision of Spring, last year, and she went Reserve Arabian Riding Pony foal to Springs for Liz Tomlinson of Carlingford Park, who had presented her beautifully.  Saratoga spat the dummy (and the Blacit), and generally had a “bad hair” day, but placed in her classes, and took home a sash bigger than herself after the Progeny Groups.

 Queensland HC Rising Star

 The Queensland Rising Star event run by the Hack Council produced some nice results for some of the ponies, but we were disappointed that Tempo did some damage to herself and couldn’t get a start.  Tudor (Solitude) was Reserve Champion Led Pony filly, however, and Mezaire, who was having an “off” day was Reserve Champion Saddle Pony. 

Russell delighted us by taking the Runner-Up Galloway Champion . This must delight James Mullen, who used to own Russell, and also leased Mezaire for quite a while and showed her in hand very successfully.

 We do seem to have considerable trouble keeping this web-site updated, so apologies to anyone who gets missed – it is not intentional, but the more one has out there competing, the easier it is to miss one or two.

 The Queensland contingent all seem to be doing very nicely.  Rathowen Mezaire (Courtland Boy Blue x Weston Maree)  has taken a large number of Novice Championships, culminating in the EFA Newcomer Large Pony of the Year for Kim and Carlie Taunton, with Danielle Rowles as pilot.  In return Kim showed Danielle’s Solitude of Rathowen to take the Supreme Led Youngstock award at this show .  This is very pleasing because Danielle had the full sister, Soliloquy, all ready to show when she broke down due to an old knee injury –  “Tudor”, previously  unshown and unbroken, was loaded on the same truck on which “Lily” came home,  and the rest is history.  Some things were meant to be.

 At the same show Susan Paine’s Rathowen Pensive (Courtland Boy Blue x Thoughtful Miss) was runner-up Newcomer Large Galloway of the Year, which is a good follow-up on her Supreme Ridden at Boonah, and Ch. Large Galloway at the North N.S.W. Hack Championships, qualifying for the Grand National.  Penny is sister to Considerations, E.F.A Newstar Galloway of the Year in N.S.W., and to Joanne Parry’s Reflective, and to Contemplations, recently arrived in Queensland to join Mezaire and Solitude.  The last of the Mohicans, Confusions, is yet to go out. 

 SYDNEY ROYAL

 Spat the dummy and didn’t go!  Well, not to the Riding Ponies, anyway.  Regardless of her current run of success, Lady In Red was short on performance over the qualifying period, which was “broken arm” time for me, and she wasn’t accepted for Sydney, despite all sorts of appeals.  Living as close as we do, we did not even get day boxes, and the prospect of handling the two yearlings, Song Sung Blue (Denver) and Confusions (Fuchsia) was not exciting (or perhaps too exciting) so when Denver had a bump on her hock that was slow receding, and Fuchsia a swollen gland that was highly visible it took little persuasion to stay home and catch up on the ironing.

 So the Harry’s honour was left in the capable hands of Heavens Above, who did not let us down, taking the Reserve Championship for Mares or Fillies.  This will be Heaven’s last show before she joins the broodmare ranks for Lisa Cleary!  All the very best, Lisa.

 Plucked up enough courage to face Derivative Day, with Philos (Considerations) having the led galloway (small) class as well. We had some misgivings about her condition as she was light on after the heavy work preceding the Grand National, and this proved only too true. She was not looked at in the Galloway class, and only managed a fifth in her Derivative class, but that is a sacrifice you make when a youngster first goes into work, and she had the distinct disadvantage of doing too well, too soon, and was faced with an environment with which her experience might not allow her to cope. At least she was one of the ones that the judge rode, and she didn’t disgrace herself.

Rathowen Lady In Red,  (shown by James Mullen) (Photo The Land), however, won the 12.2 –14h. class, and then proceeded to take Champion.  Theo (R. Reflective) was second in his class, and Electra was second in the Galloway class for Jenny and Edwina Wilkes.

Heatherbrae Matrix, who won the Galloway class last year, won the Three Year Old Futurity for Joanne Parry.  Matrix is by Harry out of Nara, a truly wonderful mare, who at nineteen won the Derivative Brood Mare class.  She is a sentimental favourite of ours, as she stood Aussie Champ Arabian Riding Pony Mare the year Harry was Champion Stallion.  Both the foals that came from resultant matings have both been Royal Show winners.

Woronora Cascade, by Harry from Weston Marie Christine was Best Partbred Welsh Gelding Exhibit  for Jody     .

N.S.W. RIDING PONY PAGEANT

James Mullen with Lady In Red had one of those lovely days, taking the three-year old class, three year old Championship and the the Supreme Youngstock Championship.  Runner-Up was also by Harry – Lisa Cleary’s outstanding little filly LJS Heavens Above.

AUSTRALIAN ARABIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rathowen Solomon (CBB x Kirreway Soloist) won the Gelding Championship in the Arabian Riding Ponies for Mark and Debbie Colbran, shown by Mark, and Lady In Red was Reserve Aussie Champ, Mare or Filly for James Mullen.

EAST COAST ARABIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lady In Red was the three-year old Filly Champion, shown by James Mullen, and Rathowen Solomon, owned by Debbie Colbran,was the Gelding Champion, shown by Mark Colbran.

CANBERRA ROYAL

James Mullen once again had a fine showing with Lady In Red, who won her Arabian Riding Pony Class, from Edwina Wilkes Rathowen Electra, and went third in a large line-up of straight Riding Pony fillies.

QUEENSLAND Crabbet Arabian Show:

Rathowen Vivienne shown by Chris Elwyn won her yearling Arabian Riding Pony class, and went Reserve Champion.

GREENBANK SHOW, QLD.  INVASION BY RATHOWEN.

Vivienne, who is so tiny that one needs a microscope to pick he