One of lovely things about Manorvale's 20 years in the professional showing game is the wonderful young riders we are fortunate to have worked with along the way.
Some who started out having lessons or riding Manorvale ponies as little "tackas", way back when, are still with us now as accomplished adults.
It's an invaluable asset to have fabulous riders like Tim Hadlow, who started his show career with Manorvale as a tiny 10 year-old, coming back to ride for us at the big shows.
At the recent Victorian Arabian Classic it was great to have one of our "originals" Claire Deavin back in the camp.
Claire flew across from Tasmania to ride the stallions, Orabanda Acolade and Manorvale County Royal.
The evergreen Acolade, looking better than ever, was champion ridden purebred stallion, while County Royal won his ridden ARP class.
Lucky for us Claire came as a package deal with her mum Chimene, who was kept rather busy helping to get the nine horse in our Classic team into the ring!
The Classic was a full-on but successful show for Manorvale, especially with our contingent from Orabanda Arabians.
The sensational purebred colt Kharbonation J (imp USA) took out the 3 year-old class and was then reserve champion.
In the derivative led events Orabanda's classy yearling colt, Orabanda Envy Me, was champion led partbred stallion or colt, while their lovely mare Aloha Symphony was champion Anglo female.
Thanks to the charming Mr Heath Rowbottom for handling for us at the Classic.
Also in top form for us at the Classic was our up and coming team rider Gabbie Thompson, who took out champion ridden Arabian Riding Pony on Manorvale Diamond Diva and champion ridden Anglo Arabian with Aloha Symphony.
Gabbie's background is in eventing and dressage, but she has taken to showing like a duck to water.
At the Spring shows it was great to have Sarah Brown back riding for Manorvale.
Sarah was unlucky to have come to work for us right when the EI outbreak happened.
Consequently there was not a lot of showing happening during her time here.
Sarah took the ride on Annika White's Kolbeach Canasta during his stay with us, winning Supreme Ridden Exhibit at the busy Cobram Ag Show.
At Brisbane Royal last year Manorvale was fortunate to have the services of two fabulous young riders for the first time.
Bridgette Chalmers and Kaycee Wallen, who both hail from QLD, did a super job with Manorvale Diamond Diva.
We look forward to working with these lovely young ladies again in the future.
Thanks to all the wonderful jockeys who have partnered Manorvale horses and ponies over the years.
We couldn't have done it with out you.
Breeding News
After a two month stay we have said goodbye to Royalwood Boy Soprano.
"Curly" certainly was a busy boy during his time at Manorvale.
Congratulations to all the mare owners who are now looking forward foals by him next season.
Of our own mares Kolbeach Fleur (Fernleigh Fine Print-Helden Park Fantasia) has returned a positive preg test to Boy Soprano, with Everon Park Tamiel and Aspen Park Jewel hopefully following her lead soon.
We are very excited to have our thoroughbred Southlands (by Southern Appeal) positive in foal to Manorvale Royal Show.
Royal Show's first crop of foals has been outstanding.
As expected he is crossing extremely well with mares of thoroughbred breeding.
Congratulation to Lisa Schoonderbeck on her cracking Royal Show colt out of her TB mare Chica Svelta.
Lisa was so pleased with this baby she sent the mare back again for a 2010 foal.
We have also repeated the mating of Royal Show to Helden Park Fantasia (by Courtland Boy Blue imp), which produced the exceptional galloway colt Manorvale Blue and Royal this season.
Our 2009 foals will soon come into the stables for weaning.
All are for sale at very reasonable prices.
Jenny Gardiner from Karanga Welsh Ponies sent through a photo of her super AI filly by Lemonshill Top Note (UK).
What a little beauty!
