Hollybank News Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Canterbury Welsh Show in January was certainly one to remember for Hollybank Stud. Although retired to broodmare duties, Bendigo Royal Charm (Milly) was left empty for this season and with the decision made not to Show Nawarrah Park Lady's Man at this year's show, the opportunity was there for Milly to put in an appearance.

We were pretty happy when she was awarded the Section B Adult Championship and her son Hollybank Royal Silver, who is by Lady's Man, was the Champion Section B Youngstock winner. They went up against each other for Supreme B which was won by mum. Milly then went on to win the Best Purebred Welsh Exhibit and topped the day off by beating the Inhand Partbred Supreme for the Supreme Inhand Pony of the day. This entitled her to then return for the second day of the show and she competed against the Supreme Ridden and Champion Harness Exhibits to win the Catherine Howell Trophy for the Supreme Exhibit of the Show.

Also competing at the Show was Cedar Park Regal Man and he was Champion Section B Ridden in the capable hands of Charlotte Roberts as well as the Supreme Mannered Pony of the Show.