Hollybank News Blog

Cedar Park Regal Man (Nawarrah Park Lady's Man x Bendigo Precious Gem) is having a terrific new career under saddle and is currently out on lease to Cath and Stella Williams from Springston. Stella and Cedar have been out and about doing many shows in First Ridden as well as jumping up to 90cm, with mum Cath still doing the odd inhand show with him. Pictured are Stella and Cedar after a successful day at the Canterbury All Welsh Ridden Show in December 2015.

Bendigo Royal Charm (Milly) also attended the 2016 Canterbury Horse & Pony Breeders Show. The day didn't start well for me, after Milly won Champion Adult Welsh under judge Daniel Harvey from Australia, a leg injury to myself forced me to hand over the lead to Maia Waretini. This didn't actually turn out to be a bad thing....after leading Milly to Supreme Welsh Exhibit, Maia and Milly then went forward to the Supreme All Breeds Award. Maia went for it and did the best run-out I have ever seen Milly do....they came close and out of 12 breeds Milly finished Runner-up Supreme All Breeds behind the very well known Riding Pony Maxwellton Penelope Pitstop. Incidentally, Milly won the Supreme All Breeds here six years ago on her first attendance as a two year old. Also in attendance were Hollybank Wee Whisper, who was again Champion Welsh Youngstock, and Cedar Park Regal Man (Nawarrah Park Lady's Man) who was Supreme Welsh Gelding.

A few days after the Canterbury All Welsh Show we were delighted to have a stud visit from the Australian judges Janet Murphy of Keyi Stud and Anthony Deane of Llanfairbryn Stud, escorted by Shirley Bennett of Glendale Stud.  Once again, wonderful to have the chance to show off the rest of the ponies at the Stud to the visiting international judges.

The 2016 Canterbury All Welsh Show was another great one for Hollybank Stud with Bendigo Royal Charm winning the Champion  Section B Adult, Supreme Section B, Best NZ Bred and, for the third year in a row, went on to take out the Supreme Overall Exhibit. This is also the sixth consecutive year that Hollybank Stud has won the Supreme Section B at Canterbury with three different ponies. Hollybank Wee Whisper (Nawarrah Park Lady's Man x Karanga Windchime) was also competing with Philip Peter and was Champion Section B Youngstock.

Bendigo Royal Charm attended the South Island Premier Show in December 2015.  Another successful day for her under an Australian judge.....she was Champion Purebred Welsh and went on to take out Supreme Welsh Exhibit. 

After visiting Heniarth Stud, the following day I went to the Cadlanvalley Stud of Howell and Yvonne Davies at St Dogmaels, Cardigan, Wales.  I found myself in "horsey heaven" surrounded by beautiful palomino ponies (my favourite colour!). Once again another lovely afternoon spent with lovely people admiring the stunning Section B Welsh ponies from Wales. I also had the pleasure of meeting Cadlanvalley Miss Prim, a yearling filly who went on to win the yearling section B filly class at the 2015 Royal Welsh.

In June 2015 while on holiday in the UK, I visited the Heniarth Stud in Kidwelly, Wales. I had a lovely afternoon with Richard Miller and Meirion Davies looking at all their beautiful ponies, and had the great privilege of meeting the famous three time Royal Welsh Champion Eyarth Windflower (pictured).

In June 2015 I attended the New Zealand Welsh Pony & Cob Society AGM in Timaru. At the prize giving Nawarrah Park Lady's Man was awarded the Section B Sires Ratings for the third consecutive year. Second in command at Hollybank Stud, the imported stallion Imperial Messiah finished in second place behind Lady's Man. Lady's Man's daughter Nawarrah Park Camilla also finished second in the Punga Trophy Competition for most points over all NZ in inhand showing.

Nawarrah Park Lady's Man went into semi-retirement this season, having only attended two of the early shows. As Methven A&P Show was the last show of the season and Lady's Man was standing at the gate awaiting his turn and looking a million dollars, it was decided he could come out of "retirement" to attend our local Methven Show. He was a real gentleman on the day and seemed to really enjoy being out again, he had a cracker of a show coming home with Champion Adult Welsh, Supreme Welsh Exhibit and Supreme Inhand Exhibit of the Show. His son Hollybank Royal Silver was also in attendance and they completed the father/son double of Champion Adult/Champion Youngstock in the welsh section.

The day after the South Island Welsh Show Australian judges Darryl King from Victoria, and Kathryn Mitchell from Dalbrae Stud, Adelaide, along with Kathryn's mum Marlene Mitchell visited Hollybank Stud, escorted by our New Zealand Welsh Pony & Cob Society President Kevin Townsend. After the pony tour we all headed up to Terrace Downs for lunch, Kevin, Kathryn and Marlene then headed off to the airport while Darryl got taken on a local farm tour courtesy of Francis Royston. He then stayed the night, his chef skills came out and he cooked a lovely dinner for us all!