A sad end to the year for us - Yasmin of Whitefield, one of our original mares, died peacefully on December 23rd. Winner at the Royal Highland Show, as was her daughter, Gloria of Whitefield, she was dam of many lovely ponies, including Maverick, Yoyo and Minstrel, all of whom have won numerous Championships between them, also Yana, Monty and Yashmina. She was also foster Mum to Angel and Connie, who both benefitted from her care, love and attention. The dear lady is irreplaceable and missed enormously.
Although we haven't had much time this year for In Hand showing, our venture into the Ridden world has been very exciting and we now have the 'bug' - as long as we have Kelly and Sarah to ride the ponies!
Our thanks to Kelly and her 'team' - Katherine, Sarah & Tony - who produced Ricky (Balleroy Maverick) to perfection.
Balleroy Minstrel's introduction to ridden classes as a 4 y.o. has been as spectacular as it can get. From three entries, he has been Ridden Champion each time, qualifying for PUK Championship show in the spring. For more information and photos, see Cate's web page: www.taliskerhighlandponies.com
Monty continues his dressage successes, qualifying for the NPS Championships at Addington Manor next spring.
Inca had her first outing under sadlle at the same venue, with pleasing results and 10 out of 10 for 'Best Behaviour'.
Very sadly, our sweet Mistral has gone to Green Pastures. Our condolences to Mel Bailey and her family, who treasured this lovely pony and are devastated at his loss.
Youngsters September 2008
Balleroy Minstrel has had an excellent start to his ridden career, with Catriona Drury:
BSPS area 16 - 1st Heritage Novice ridden and qualified for the BSPS championships
Newton Hall - 1st Heritage Novice ridden - 1st PUK confined novice - qualified PUK championships - Champion ridden M and M
EANPS Autumn Show - 1st NPS novice ridden - qualified for NPS championship - Champion ridden.
"Enjoying your Highland Pony" - Ricky winning the Open Highland Class
7/8 August: Ricky (Balleroy Maverick) had a successful show this week at NPS Malvern, winning the NFU Mutual Open Ridden Highland class, making him Champion Ridden Highland.
He was 3rd in the Highland Section of the NPS Picton Final. Their big excitement was then to ride in the Evening Performance, with music and floodlights - where Ricky behaved beautifully under Kelly's careful guidance. All very exciting for a pony in his first year of showing under saddle and we are thrilled.
Above Photos by courtesy of Colin Nicholas Photography
Freddie (Balleroy Mercury) won the NPS Picton Qualifier at Malvern in June with Helen, in his first ever ridden class.
Balleroy Minstrel has just been backed by Katie and is now being ridden. Both looking very happy and relaxed.
East Anglia Native Pony Society Show
Huntingdon
Ricky (Balleroy Maverick) had great success at the East Anglia Native Pony Society Show at Huntingdon
He was beautifully ridden by Kelly Gorman and brilliantly shown In Hand by Kelly's father, Tony.
He had a near repeat of his younger brother's (Balleroy Minstrel) successes in 2007, winning:
- In Hand Highland Adult Championship
- In hand M& M Gelding Championships
- In Hand Mixed M&M Championship - Haven Trophy.
For full results see the 2008 Results Page.
Ricky won the Large Breeds Picton Qualifier at BSPS Show Brockenhurst
Balleroy Yana
(by Minstrel of Whitefield
o/o Yasmin of Whitefield)
2001 - 2008
(Pictured here in 2007)
Sadly Balleroy Yana died of Acute Grass Sickness on 10th April 2008.
Yana was the full sister of Balleroy Minstrel and lived with her half-brother Balleroy Monarch (Muffy) in Perthshire, Scotland.
Yana had the most fabulous temperament and showed the versatility of her breed, having been ridden Western as well as English.
She is sadly missed by all who knew her, especially her owners Angela, Alan and David.
NB. Check out the Grass Sickness Fund website - don't think that all grass sickness cases look like those on the website- Yana looked just a little thinner than her 2007 photo, which is why it was so difficult to see.
Followed by the Good News:
The arrival of the 2008 foals
Yoyo had a colt, named Rocky and a filly from Isla of Strathmore named Iona.
Next, the arrival of Dudu's colt foal, named Rob, followed closely by
Rose having a filly whom we have called Rosella
We had a very traumatic entry to Windsor Show, where Ricky was 3rd. in the senior class.
Ricky has now gone over to Kelly Gorman, who will be riding him for me at some shows this year.
In between times the thoroughbreds have produced the goods, Polly having a particularly smart filly, called Mandoline, full sister to Manchega both being by the eventer McGuigan. I know these are not Highlands, but Polly thinks that she is a Highland and has brought up her foals accordingly!