FIRSEDGE DARTMOOR HOLMEDOWN HIGHLAND

Weaned the last two foals today - H.Joliet and H.Lord of Talisker. Both followed their mothers into the barn and into stables really well. Talisker was easy to get a halter on as has been in before and is very friendly in the field. Joilet on the other hand has never been handled or touched - mainly due to the fact that you cannot get within 10 yards of her mother, Jayne of Meadowhead - once you have her in a stable (by herding) you could ride her, lead her up the motorway - climb under or over her with no problems - but as she lived on a hill in Aberdeen and had never been caught in her life when I got her a 7 years old - and now at 23 she isn't going to change. The nearest you can get to her in the field is about 10 yards - hence the foal is the same. We did eventually get a halter on it (and the mare had its usual big sights as she stood still in the middle of the stable whist Vicky and I dived round, under and over her to corner it (including the foal trying to jump over her). But we got it done, and took it for a walk up the road following mother as there is very little traffic anywhere - and Sunday virtually none, and it was much better on the ways home.

Heard from both the new owners of the foals - Killeen travelled well and came of the lorry with no problems. Colorado arrived after a very long journey none the worse for wear, but he is used to travelling, albeit not alone in a lorry. He has proved to be a star and Sally sent me some lovely photos of him in his new field - showing his joy at being out again! and is still very catchable and friendly.

Two foals went off to their new homes today - H.Killeen to Nikky Coll of the Colstone Stud near Bristol, and H.Colorado to Sally Powles in Hereford. Colorado loaded with no problems and Killeen soon got the idea and followed him up.

Delivered the dartmoor filly foal F.Stockleigh Blossom today to her new home - she loaded without too many problems and was reunited with her friend H.Katarina who her new owners bought earlier in the year. My neighbouring farmer kindly topped all my fields, and they look really nice!!

I decided to start weaning the earlier foals today, so F.Stockleigh- (from F.Sabrina - dartmoor) came in, together with H.Killeen (from Drumpark Kara). I had put halters on them a couple of weeks ago and played with them for a day - then turned them back out (neither had ever been in a stable before). They followed their mothers in as good as gold - turned the mums back out, had their headcollars put on and feet picked up as good as gold.

Just got back from Ashwater Agricultural Show - had a super day - H.Cobweb won the mixed M&M 4 years plus, then after a long wait, took the Mountain & Moorland Championship. Her foal, H.Colorado was angelic - took in all the sites of the hunters, the show jumping, the traffic (doesn't bat an eyelid when cars go by to park right where you are standing by the ringside). Sue Plummer also took Firsedge Royal Breeze, who is now 4 years old - and he gained a couple of seconds in hand and ridden.

Was going to have a lay in bed - but work up really early so decided to go to a local show. Went up the farm and into the field and decided to take H.Kansas (yearling filly) as she appeared to be the cleaner of the two. She loaded no problems and after an initial "airs above the ground" in the initial trot out - where were we pulled in 5th - she did a beautiful individual walk and trot and stood rock still for the judge to look at - and ended up being pulled up into second. Loaded her back up and had a look round the show (she stands quite happily alone on the lorry) and came home very pleased.

Needless to say after yesterdays events, I didn't go to work today by the time the very nice gentleman from the police forensic team had gone with great finger prints and some DNA and I had phoned and been phoned by the insurance company it was way after lunch. However had someone come down from Hereford to look at H.Colorado - and she bought him so he is off to a very nice home. So just one colt foal available now.

Well had a good and bad day today - went to the Dartmoor Championship Show on foot (as is literally within walking distance). Had a great time and also sold H.Killeen to Nikky Coll - then got back to find my house had been burgled - interesting day - which went on and on and the police finally went shortly before midnight.

Just heard from a delighted owner that H.Fingal not only won and went champion in the in-hand class at Wayland Show, but also took the ridden championship too ! Brilliant.

Had a good time at the NPS Championships at Malvern - H.Cascade had a first and a load of other placings in ridden huge ridden classes. I decided to take only one of the yearlings up - H.Chicago - who finished a creditable 4th in-hand and H.Cobweb and her foal H.Colorado both gained 3rds in the mare and foal classes respectively. Was absolutely shattered by the time I drove home. At the HPEC Show - H.Fingal won the gelding class and was placed in a very large ridden class. Julie Barton has just bought H.Christabella and had some excellent placings with her during the week.

Just heard that F.Royal Joker went Champion at Somerton Show today - he won the in-hand, the Lead-Rein and the Best Rider Class. His temperament is superb - would hardly believe he was only gelded in the latter part of last year and then broken-in - having never done anything in his life apart from live with his mares - never been bathed, seen a rug or a show-ring !

Pleased to advise that H.Cascade won the Highland, Fell & Dales class at the New Forest Show, and then went M&M Champion and was pulled out in the final 6 for the Supreme. She also ended up 4th in the Olympia Qualifier.

Well what a tremendous day ! Went to a Hunt Show some miles away for a quick day out with the two yearlings to give them another outing before the NPS Championships and Malvern. The class was open M&M large any age - H.Kansas was 5th - but H.Chicago won - and therefore went through to the overall championship against the small breeds, the two ridden classes and the open LR and FR winners - much to my delight (and surprise) she won the championship, with the reserve going to Keith Locke's major prizewinning dartmoor stallion Okeleat Las Vegas, who won the small breed in-hand.

Just got back from The Royal - had a really good show. Was thrilled with H.Cobweb who was 6th in-hand out of a very good class of mares and her foal H.Colorado was Res Ch foal. The two yearlings, H.Chicago and H.Kansas were 4th and 5th. Having bathed the yearlings the day before in the pouring rain, and driven up to find the showground rather wet, it was nice to wake up to a dry day, and with the wind up there it dried the ground up remarkably well.

Well took H.Katarina off to her new home today - she loaded as good as gold; couldn't believe it as she had never been near a lorry or any vehicle before - just lived in the field !! She travelled well, although was rather hot when she got there (but then again it was hot everywhere today !) and was last seen grazing in her new field by herself knee deep in grass - watching the cattle on the other side of the fence with interest.

Heard today from Maria who bought Jackson that he arrived safely - and was described by the livery yard as "small, cute and a bit bewildered" aww poor little fellow.

Well said goodbye to H.Jackson today as he loaded to go off to his new home with Maria Bird. He trotted up to me when I called him at 7.00 am this morning and walked straight in the trailer for his journey to Wales. Am very sorry to see him go, he was a real sweetie.

Had another show today and decided to take the yearlings to give them an outing (and teach them how to trot in hand !). They took it all in their stride and behaved really well - even stood still ! H.Kansas won her class and H.Jackson was 2nd, and in the Championship H.Kansas went Reserve Champion to a very nice three year old fell pony.

First show of the year for me at NPA Devon - decided to take the stallion Burnside Ben Nevis out as he has not been shown for a couple of years. He behaved impeccably and had a 2nd and 3rd which was really pleasing.

Lots of good things today !! Holmedown Cobweb produced a big colt foal (by Johnsondene) which will be for sale in due course. Photos to follow - sorry forgot to take the camera with me ! Also Cobweb's sister Holmedown Christabella won the Mixed M&M Ridden at Devon Country. Also Holmedown Maymist was 4th in-hand with her first foal at foot.

Had another foal today from Kincardine Caitlin - a very nice colt by Turin Hill Fortrose - for photos - CLICK HERE

Had a good day today, have sold the two year old H.Katarina and also Firsedge Sabrina's filly foal to a very nice gentleman near Tiverton who used to have a highland some years ago.

Heard from Nicola Raynham that Iona of Conway her three year old she bred from Holmedown Caitlin won the youngstock class at Royal Windsor and was pulled out in the final six by Len Bigley. The filly has done really well being champion at Ponies UK Summer Championships last year as a 2 yr old.

Just heard that H.Cascade who is still being produced for me by Karen Knock is having another successful season under sadddle and has qualified for the Junior Ridden Championship at Malvern.

Well Burnside Ben Nevis arrived at 2.15 am this morning - Gordon Hamilton brought him down in a trailer - and he did have a shetland mare for company for some of the way. He wandered out in the dark, into the barn and into his stable with no problems bless him. I turned him out with my mares this afternoon - after having spent half an hour combing his long mane through - not sure why I bothered !! after a few minutes he rolled and it looked like I hadn't touched it.

Had yet another foal at about 10am this morning - from Jayne of Meadowhead - a filly by Johnsondene - for photos CLICK HERE

Had a foal this afternoon from Drumpark Kara, her third filly - and full sister to H Kansas (both by Johnsondene). Yet another well developed foals - she always seems to produce elephants !! for more photos CLICK HERE

Well have had the first foal of 2005 born - a brown filly from F.Sabrina by F.Royal Joker up and running around the field - with the mare in hot pursuit. She has already gained a Nanny - as shown in the picture - H.Katarina - the 2 year old highland filly ! more photos CLICK HERE

My new pony arrived at 7 o'clock this morning - Kincardine Caitlin - she travelled really well and went in her stable without any problems. Have left her with a feed to settle and rest and will turn her out with the other mares tonight. She is in foal to Turin Hill Fortrose and is due mid-may.

Had the vet up yesterday to geld H.Jackson before he goes off to his new home - and today he is as right as rain so turned him out with the other ponies - no swelling whatsoever.

Just realized that I haven't updated this for a while, but nothing much to report. It was a glorious sunny day yesterday and the grass is really starting to come through at last. The mares are starting to shed their coats (of course Jayne of Meadowhead has already lost hers - why is it the non-shown ones, she is 22, always lose them - she always has coated out early). H.Cobweb and H.Kara are not looking too bad, but the foals are still really woolly. Even the dog seems to be moulting like mad!

As is was a beautifully sunny, albeit in very cold day, I decided to have a go at getting the foals used to being loaded in the lorry. Chicago was shown as a foal, but the other two had never been near any vehicle. I needn't have worried - headcollar, rope and bucket of nuts and they followed me straight up, not even worrying about the noise as their hooves went on the ramp, and stood quietly tied up inside.

Well said goodbye to the three year old dartmoor Firsedge Zircon today (Stoneyoak Dark Czar x Firsedge Zola) who went off to his new home in Surrey. He will be shown in hand this year then become a lead-rein pony. He has only been loaded once in his life (which took a while last time !) but he walked straight up with no problems, bless him. I wish Helen every joy with him, he has been a pleasure to own.

HOLMEDOWN HIGHLANDS	FOR SALE	FIRSEDGE DARTMOORS
INDEX	LINKS	PHOTOS

HOLMEDOWN HIGHLANDS	FOR SALE	FIRSEDGE DARTMOORS
INDEX	LINKS	PHOTOS