Hollybank News Blog

Hollybank Stud made a record effort and took 8 ponies to the 2015 South Island Welsh Show. We had some extra troops down from the North Island to assist with preparation and leading in the form of Kylie and Hailey James from Onika Stud, as well as Jenna Hansen who has also been helping out this season. Bendigo Royal Charm was Champion Section B Senior with Skibbereen Serenity Reserve. Bamborough Pick'n'Mix was Champion Section B Junior with Hollybank Victory Dance Reserve. Cedar Park Regal Man was Champion Section B Gelding with Hollybank Royal Silver Reserve. Hollybank Royal Command (pictured) won the Section B foal class and then went on to win Best Welsh Foal of Show, Bendigo Royal Charm was Best Section B Exhibit and then went on to win Grand Champion Purebred Mare and Cedar Park Regal Man was Grand Champion Purebred Welsh Gelding.

The 2015 Canterbury Welsh show was pretty much a repeat of the 2014 show for Hollybank Stud, with Bendigo Royal Charm and Hollybank Royal Silver once again being awarded the mother/son double of Champion Section B Adult and Champion Section B Youngstock respectively. Bendigo Royal Charm was Supreme Section B and again went right through to take out the Supreme Exhibit of the Show. Her current foal Hollybank Royal Command, who also attended the show with mum, won the Best Foal Award.

On the last weekend of November Hollybank Stud once again made the big trip south, this time taking four ponies. On the Saturday we went to Balclutha A&P show with two ponies, Cedar Park Regal Man was Champion Welsh and little brother Hollybank Royal Silver was Reserve Champion. On Sunday we headed to Gore in 4 degs and sleety showers to the Southland Welsh Show. We considered putting the ponies on the floats and heading home as we were sure the show would be cancelled, but in true Southland style everyone turned up and carried on as usual, with instructions for us to wear our gumboots out in the ring! Cedar Park Regal Man was Champion Section B Adult and Hollybank Victory Dance was Champion Section B Youngstock and went on to be Runner-up Supreme Purebred Welsh.

Hollybank Stud was thrilled to have some visitors from the UK in November. Robert Parker-Jones who was the judge at Canterbury A&P Show and Christopher Littlewood spent a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon with us, offering lots of helpful advice and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

The 2014 Canterbury A&P Show was a day to remember for Hollybank Stud. Nawarrah Park Camilla was making her first ever appearance at Canterbury and the day started well with her winning Champion Mare/Gelding and then taking out Supreme Welsh Exhibit under judge Robert Parker-Jones from the UK. Dad Nawarrah Park Lady's Man was Champion Welsh Stallion and daughter Hollybank Chantelle was Reserve Champion Welsh Youngstock. Nawarrah Park Camilla then finished up the day by winning the Inhand All Breeds Supreme Award of the Show.

In June 2014 I attended the NZ Welsh Pony & Cob Society AGM in Palmerston North where I was re-elected for another 3 years on the Welsh Council. At the end of year prize giving Nawarrah Park Lady's Man was awarded the Punga Trophy for Inhand showing for the third time, together with the Section B Sires Rating Award, the second year in a row he has claimed the double of the Punga Trophy and the Sires Ratings Award in the same year. Cedar Park Regal Man was runner-up for the Punga Trophy, another double for father and son.

Hollybank Stud had a great day at the Canterbury Foal Show this year. Hollybank Victory Dance (Cherrington Cadenza IMP x Hazelmere Vanita IMP) was entered in both the coloured and welsh sections. "Cody" was awarded Reserve Champion Coloured Foal and won the NZ Golden Horse sash for the Best Dilute Foal registered with the Society and in the welsh section he was Best Section B Welsh Foal and Reserve Champion Purebred Welsh Foal.

Also competing at the show was Hollybank Penarth (Nawarrah Park Lady's Man IMP x Glenmore Penllwyd IMP) with his new owner Rowan Bartlett and he was awarded the Champion Pony Hunter Foal.

Hollybank Stud has recently welcomed some more visitors from across the ditch.  In January we had Jill, Megan and George Howe from Nawarrah Park Stud together with Di Aumann from Pemberton Stud in Victoria.  Then in February we were visited by Jenny and Wes Gardiner of Karanga Stud in Victoria, and Fiona and Jack Forge from Kimberley Park in New South Wales.  Pictured is Jill and Megan catching up with Nawarrah Park Lady's Man and Jenny with Karanga Lady Arabella.

It was a huge thrill for Hollybank Stud to have Nawarrah Park Lady's Man featuring on the cover of the February 2014 edition of the New Zealand Horse & Pony Magazine, together with an article about the Stud. The Horse & Pony Magazine then donated some magazines for Lady's Man to personally autograph with a hoofprint on the front and these were given out as special prizes at the South Island All Welsh Show. Another autographed copy also made its way to the Nawarrah Park Stud in Victoria, Australia where Lady's Man was bred.

At the South Island Welsh Show held in Ashburton in February it was Skibbereen Serenity's turn to shine. "Nellie" is by Nawarrah Park Lady's Man out of Kylandee Chintz and was led at the show by Philip Peter. She had a cracker of a day, starting out with Champion Section B Youngstock and Best Section B Exhibit, followed by Grand Champion Purebred Welsh Junior, and then went on to take out the Supreme Purebred Welsh Exhibit of the Show. Cedar Park Regal Man was backing up again with Champion Section B Gelding and Champion Section B Ridden.