FOALS
Mt Tawonga Playgirl kept us waiting this yeay going 21 days late. She foaled down on 20 October 2010, a big chestnut colt with just the right amount of chrome. Moonbah Gambling Man is going to be a tall boy and is already showing athleticism and movement that we are sure we will see him in the performance circuit in the future. GM will be for sale as a gelding on weaning.
Next to foal down was Equinox Cashmere. We thought the wait for GM was long but Cashy wasn't going to be left out and she held on for a full 365 days. But it was well worth the wait. Cashmere foaled down a pretty little clone of herself. Moonbah Liberty Silk is a petite, sweet natured girl.
The difference in these to foals is vast. GM is bold as brass and in your face. yet Libby is a sweet little princess who just loves a cuddle.
OUT AND ABOUT
Moonbah Fortunate One headed to Isabel & Sandi's place at Michelago in early October for show prep and training. Along with Moonbah Ridge Kaybee they were brushed, rugged, brushed, given lessons and brushed some more.... After lots of fun and games, some frustrating times and loads of elbow grease (mostly Bell's) the two youngsters were ready for their first solo show. We took the two to Queanbeyan Show in early November. Although they had no competition on the day they both behaved like seasoned professionals and were more than deserving of their wins.
In late November we took the two youngsters and their sire, Briarlane Ebony Fortune, to the National Capital Horse Show in Canberra. The rain was bucketing down most of the day so we didn't get much of a chance to show off our 3. It was a quick run from the stables to the ring, pull the rugs off and present to the judge who was huddles under her tent. We were the only Morgans there this year but it was another great experience for the youngsters and i was over the moon and proud as punch to have my Man and his first two progeny all out in company at the same time.
Early this year Sandi decided to put her TB gelind on the market as he just wasn't working out to be suited for her. She came and picked up Moonbah Ridge Toy Boy out of the paddock, where he had been for the previous 6 months. He was fat and unfit to say the least and with only 18 months since he had been broken in, still green. She had just 4 small rides on him and took him to the Murrumbateman Adult Riding Club Dressage & Showjumping Competition Day. Considering his limited exposure to this sort of thing he excelled and Sandi enjoyed a competition outing for the first time in a long time. He has since been to a few more outings at Adult Riding Club days and continues to impress Sandi. She calls him her teenage boy because he is a cheeky thing with a short attention span. Like a typical boy he loves the high adrenalin activities like showjumping, sporting and being on the trail but thinks this dressage thing is a bit silly & girly and he lets Sandi know it.
I think if Toy Boy was a couple of inches taller he would be pulled off the market, but Sandi feels that 15hh is still a bit small for her and so Toy is still for sale and looking for his forever home. And Sandi is anxiously waiting for Equinox Tabitha to foal this year. They have had words and a black colt is on order!!!!
In early January I took my grandaughter Chloe (age 5) and Ronaldo Bay (age 3) to their first competition together. They competed in the cross rails class at the Snowy Mountains Showjumping Festival. The festival is one of the largest horse events in Australia with over 500 horses competing over 4 days of showjumping. Ronnie & Chloe had a great time and Ronnie continues to prove that he is worth his weight in gold. He has only been ridden 4 times in total by anyone other than Chloe (who is still on the lead). Yet he handled all the excitement of the festival like an old hat.
Briarlane Ebony Fortune and I have had quite a few outings for this season with lessons in Yass & Bungendore with Michael Godding and some local dressage competitions. Amongst other things we have mainly been focussed on building our relationship and we are both so much happier for it.
BREEDING
Briarlane Ebony Fortune (Sammy) has definately had a busy year in the breeding stakes. We are expecting at least 8 foals, later this year and early next year, but it may be as many as 9.
Our 2011/12 Expectant Mothers are:-
Non Morgan Mares
Spirit of The Sun - Thoroughbred
Owned by Sandi & Isabel
Weemala Dalliance - Clydie x QH
Owned by Sandi & Isabel
Hannah - Stockhorse
Owned by T & L Tresider NSW
Pure Morgan Mares
Equinox Tabitha - Moonbah Ridge Morgans
Red Bluff Tarra - Moonbah Ridge Morgans
Equinox Cashmere - Moonbah Ridge Morgans
Fernleigh Creek Tealle - Shibui Morgans
Tuis Diana Song - Shibui Morgans
We also served Mt Tawonga Playgirl late in the season but have not had 100% confirmation of her pregnancy at this stage.
So if all 9 girls deliver in the coming season it will be a total of 15 foals for our Man in just 3 short seasons here in Australia.
