news 2002

Just received the news that Holmedown has come 2nd in the HPEC Amateur Breeder competition and Holmedown Cobweb was 4th Mare of the Year

Well finally decided to take Cyd out today (namely he let me catch him!) to explore the lanes and bridle paths near Higher Rowthorne. Bearing in mind he has not been ridden since the X-Country on 6th October he was remarkably well behaved (ish). I took Beth, one of the spaniels with me for company and we were out for three hours just exploring the wonderful scenery - I am quite high up and can see the Exe Estuary in one direction and Exmoor in another, and it is very beautiful. Have some lovely bridlepaths nearby. Am thrilled with the fields, as although we have had non-stop rain since I took over Higher Rowthorne, being high and undulating (Devon term for fairly steep!) apart from just round the gates, the fields are solid - not even hoofmarks! the complete opposite to my previous place. Definitely have no regrets about buying the farm now.

Well summer has definitely gone and autumn has arrived with gale force winds and torrential rainstorms. The ponies are installed in their new home at Higher Rowhorne Farm - with the luxury of American barn stabling - no more getting wet mucking out! and huge feed and rug shed.

The highland colt foal, Holmedown Washington with whom I won so much this year has now gone off to his new home with Helen Warne and I wish her every luck with him. He loaded well into the haulier's lorry and I must admit I was very sad to see him go - but not as sad as his mother H.Cobweb who stood by the gate for two days waiting !

Took a couple of hours off from packing (I never want to see another box again, or wrap another plate) and took Cyd to another X-Country ride near Bude, an area which was new for me to ride in. The weather was fine and the ride was eight miles through wonderful farmland with only a few tracks and about 100 yards of road! with a few jumps to do along the way. Home now and everything in the washing machine to get it clean for the move.

Move house on Monday to Exeter (at last !!) have also bought just under 25 acres with an acre of woods, eight american barn stables, plus several field shelters and barns.

Another foal has today gone off to her new home, Firsedge Dark Shadow (F.Sophie x Stoneyoak Dark Czar) has gone to Mr & Mrs Banbury. She loaded very well into the trailer and arrived safely at her new home.

Took Cyd on another long cross country ride today at Ashwater, accompanied by Sue Plummer with her hunter, Spud. It was a long 10 miles - probably more like 12 but the weather was ideal and it was very enjoyable with lots of fields to have a canter in and some nice tracks through woods and forestery.

Took Holmedown Cascade (3yr old filly) to the Holsworthy Riding Club Show, where she won the M&M youngstock class and was also 2nd in the Coloured/Dun Horse and Pony Class.

Also at lunchtime took the Welsh Sec C Newbrook Startlight Express - alias Cyd to a 10 mile Cross Country ride, where he behaved impeccably and jumped everything I asked and crossed the finish in a very good time.

The last Agricultural Show in the area - Ashwater today, and what a show! Holmedown Cobweb won the M&M 4yrs and Over and went to to be Mountain & Moorland Champion, gaining a ticket through to the Supreme. There was also a separate Open Brood Mare Class and an Open Foal Class for hunters etc, and we thought it would be fun to get the foal going by itself. Somehow, Cobweb won the Open Broodmare Class, and more surprising the foal Holmedown Washington won excelled himself and won the Open foal class, beating a hunter foal! - then they won the Open In-hand/Hunter Championship ??? gaining another ticket through to the Supreme. They then came up against a very nice 13.2 Riding Pony under saddle who has had a very good season, and I could not believe it when they took the Supreme Championship of the Show ! A very good day.

Okehampton Show today - took Cosdon Cracker in the Dartmoor stallion class where he was 2nd, and Firsedge Sophie who was third in the Brood Mare Class and her filly foal Firsedge Dark Shadow who was also third.

At the last minute (lunchtime!) decided to go to Northlew Show. Holmedown Cobweb and foal were the cleanest in the field, so we just loaded them up and went for the M&M Class which started at 2.30. She won the class and then went on to be Reserve Mountain & Moorland Champion to a Section A colt.

Holsworthy Agricultural Show Holmedown Cobweb won the Large M&M Breeds 4 and over. I also took Kirstendene for her first outing; once she settled down she did a lovely walk and trot out and finished 2nd in the youngstock M&M. Cobweb went on to be Overall Mountain & Moorland Champion.

Woolsery Show in North Devon today, we just took Holmedown Cobweb and her foal, H Washington. She won the M&M Large breeds, was in-hand champion (qualifying for Glynn Greenwood) then went Reserve Ring Champion.

Well Whitmore Royal Charm and her foal Firsedge Royal Eclipse have gone off to their new home with Joanna Adams in Oxford. The foal was as good as gold to lead and walked into the trailer like he had been doing it all his life (he hadn't been loaded before).

Holmedown Washington has now also been sold to Helen Warne and he will be off at the end of September, together with one of the Spaniel Puppies !

Just got back from a very successful Royal Show at Stoneleigh. Holmedown Cascade was 2nd in the 2 & 3 year old Class and Holmedown Cobweb gained 2nd in the 4 years and over and was also 2nd Reserve overall. It was nice to see such good classes at the Royal with all exhibits forward - it does make a change. Cobweb's foal was also extremely well behaved, shown by Kate from the Talisker Highland Stud.

Well I heard today that the ponies have all arrived safely in their new home, They are to be joined next week by another of my mares Whitover Rebecca and her filly foal Firsedge Phalea who is by Wendel Limerick. Firsedge Royal Joker is off to Sue Lewis' Tedburn stud for the summer to cover her mares. The puppies are growing - nearly a week old now and just starting to crawl - they are still at the awwww stage !!

Well the ponies have left here for their new homes in Austria. Stoneyoak Dark Czar (stallion) together with mares Springwater Jacana, Hopelaws Teal and three year old Denbury Down Dancing Starlight who have been lodging here whilst being covered by Cosdon Cracker. I will miss Dark Czar greatly as I have had him since a yearling and he has given me some beautiful foals over the years, but two of his sons Firsedge Royal Rebel is a stallion standing not too far away, and has had a lovely foal this year, and I have just licenced his two year old son Firsedge Royal Joker (by Jurstonparke Joker)

Not really horse news, but my working Springer Spaniel Beth produced six gorgeous puppies today to friends springer, they are lovely, but aren't all puppies!

Mother loves them dearly and they are all moreorless the same size and liver and white and looking well - 3 girls and 3 boys.

I had a good Royal Cornwall Show - Holmedown Cascade winning the younstock class and Holmedown Cobweb third in the 4 years and over, her foal was very well behaved considering it was only halter broken the night before!! Two highland mares have now gone off to stud to Dunedin Monarch.

Bit of a gap with updates as computer gave up, but have now obtained another one so back on the road ! Holmedown Cobweb had a nice colt foal a couple of weeks ago (by Johnsondene) who is growing well. Holmedown Cascade went to NPA Devon Summer Show yesterday - the first one she has done since last August, and came home with two firsts - she won the Highland Youngstock Class and also the Mixed Glyn Greenwood large breed class. Cosdon Cracker has been busy with his mares, and all my mares seem to have settled well with him. He has one mare left to cover which is going to Austria.

Firsedge Royal Joker came home yesterday after being on loan for a year. He seems to have settled down and may be for sale - see sales list

The last dartmoor foal due has arrived today out of Whitmore Royal Charm - a bay - don't know what yet as cannot get near enough, but it is up and running around quite happily - much to mother's disapproval.

Well it is pouring with rain and a howling gale and Firsedge Zola decided to foal in the middle of the field at 2.30pm during the heaviest downpour for ages.

A black colt. The two spaniels and I watched in disbelief as all the other highlands and dartmoors stood round her about three feet away to help protect from the rain as the foal was born - absolutely amazing, she didn't mind them being there and it was as if they knew that they had to provide shelter somehow. I went home drenched and then went back at 6 pm to find foal suckling well as above - with the four of the highlands and the other dartmoor mare standing keeping guard - the yearling dartmoor had decided that going off to eat grass was more interesting!

Another foal this morning from Firsedge Sophie a very big black filly by Dark Czar had a few problems delivering it as so big, but now up and feeding well.

Took the Cyd (the Welsh Sec C) on a 10 mile cross country ride today. The ground was absolutely perfect, and he went really well, clearing all the jumps with ease - including a drop that I didn't see until the last minute!! The weather was ideal - sunny with a gentle breeze.

Had another good show today. Just took Cosdon Cracker where he was 2nd in his first ridden class, qualifying for the SWPA Ridden Championships and was also 2nd In-hand. He was well behaved and just took the ridden class in his stride and did not worry at all and did a lovely short show. It was a mixed class with large and small breeds in together so was very pleased.

Pantmanr's Junket foaled early - again ! (by Dark Czar) Two weeks early, but a lovely filly foal - black with no white markings and feeding well.

Took Cracker out for a nice ride, he is super in traffic and it was a lovely day (rare down here!). Brought Pantmanr's Junket home as she is due to foal in three weeks, and for the last two years has been early, and she is well bagged up, also Firsedge Sophie. Also turned Haven Tamarin out with Stoneyoak Dark Czar - it will be the only mare he has before he is gelded, unless someone wishes to take him on as a stallion.

The first show of the year for me. Ended up taking two ponies, my new dartmoor stallion Cosdon Cracker who won the small breeds in-hand and qualified for PUK and Holmedown Cobweb - highland mare - who won her class, won the owner-bred and went Show Champion, so a very nice start to the season.

Went up to the Central Highland Pony Dance - and had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend staying with Scott MacGregor - was just like going home. Unfortunately I gained two ponies whilst up there (I knew this would happen - why did I go !!??). A two year old filly Drumpark Kara by Maverickdene who I fell in love with whilst mucking out the ponies there (thought it was meant to be a holiday!). I also seemed to aquire a yearling filly Kirstendene by Rory of Balinoe. They both carry the bloodlines I tend to breed from in the Highland Pony.

Well had a busy two weeks. After all the dry weather we have had, we have suddenly been hit by torrential winds and rain and floods everywhere - thought it was too good to last!!.

I have also been lucky enough to obtain Cosden Cracker a six year old stallion who is just being broken by Julie Barton. Julie knew I was looking for something to replace Shilstone Rocks Dunkirk (who is now with Nigel Barnett) and contacted me about him - thank you very much Julie, greatly appreciated. I look forward to riding and showing him this year, and hopefully using him on a few mares.

Well, it has finally been decided that Shilstone Rocks Dunkirk has settled in at his new home with the Barnett family in Sussex. May I wish you the best of luck with him, he has been an absolutely super pony to own and show for the last eight years and I hope he gives you all a lot of pleasure

I have recently purchased Haven Tamarin (Allendale Vampire x Whitmore Titania) from Jackie Lane-Blandford and she has just started to settle in after the long journey here. I hope to be able to show her later on this season, and hopefully put her in foal.

HOLMEDOWN HIGHLANDS	FOR SALE	FIRSEDGE DARTMOORS
INDEX	LINKS	PHOTOS

HOLMEDOWN HIGHLANDS	FOR SALE	FIRSEDGE DARTMOORS
INDEX	LINKS	PHOTOS