Earlier News

September 2001 News: Unfortunately Ard Ohio got a coronary band infection in September that took a while to cure, but its the 03/Dec/01 now and over the last three weeks he seems back in form, having gained his weight back etc. He will be off to Neal's again soon.

November 2001 News: A new stallion arrival- Ard VDL Douglas, just out of the German performance test finishing 2nd overall, had the highest jumping marks: Loose Jumping 9.5 and Jumping Under Saddle 10 ! An exciting prospect for Irish breeders. (see his page)

January 2002 News: We will be standing the young stallion Ard Abbervail (half brother to Abbervail Dream) for the 2002 season. We have added his page now.

February 2002 News Great News, Euro Clover is coming back from France to stand at stud with us for this season, do check his new page.Ard Patrick is home and Ard Ohio is back with Neal. We have a new Connemara stallion Ard Archer, a son of Ard Conneely which is great, but he still has to be inspected this Spring (I have given him a page, anyway, for you to see,It should be up soon)

March/April 2002 News Ard Abbervail is successfully S1 with the IHR inspections, gaining the highest marks for an Irish Sport Horse (as far as we heard). Ard Vdl Douglas is also S1 and will perform in open competition too. Euro Clover has arrived back from France looking very well. Crosskeys Rebel is home to and looking great. We now have a total of eight stallions for the season and so far, all is going well. Ard Archer was fully approved on 24th April and we were all so delighted as he is a grandson of our old Mare Ard Knana.

May/June 2002News Ard Archer did us proud. He won the stallion class in Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show on Sunday 9th of June. He then went on to become Reserve Supreme Champion of the show. We were all delighted as it was his first ever show.!

Just for your interest, we now have two dun colored fillies both by Ard Ohio. We are also looking for fillies by Ard Ohio for a customer, if you have one for sale. The season is going well despite the unbelievable rain. We hope to get Ohio and Douglas out to a show soon, it's just that so many of them have been cancelled. We have entered Ard Archer in the Horse Show while Richard will be riding one of John Micklem's young horses, a good reason for us all to go. By next week we will have four students with us; Clifford from South Africa, Ola from Poland, Brice from France and Wai-Tching from Sweden so we should have a chance to get our young horses back in from the field to finish their training, we have some lovely young event horses that we must get going. At last we got to a show Sunday 23rd June, thanks to Cavans all weather arena. Ard Ohio and Ard VDL Douglas both had double clear rounds, Richard riding Ohio and Neil on Douglas.

July 2002 News We have just bought the land we wanted. There will be picture of it plus our progress, on this site shortly.

The stud season has gone very well for us with new mares still arriving. Euro Clover is about to go back to France to start jumping again and Rebel goes back to Carlow. Douglas and Archer are entered for the Dublin Horse Show. We than have three young riding horses preparing for the Cavan sales which are on the 1st and 2nd of August. They are all potential eventers well worth having a look at, but have to go before our move. We then have a National Hunt prospect going to Tattersalls sales starting on the 14th August. His brother won two Pt-to-Pt's this year so he should go well. On Friday 26/7/02 Ard VDL Douglas Qualified to jump in the Cavan 4 y'old Finals and today, Sunday 28th, he won the Championship. He beat the Balmoral 4 y'old Champion too!. Ard VDL Douglas Qualified for the RDS Dublin Horse Show at Tyrella 26th June'02. Approximately 70 4y'old's and 20 into the second round. Dougy finished 4th (he was a bit tired in the second round) So off to Dublin we will go.

August 2002 News 27/8/02 Auction all day with viewing all the previous day. There is everything from tractors, trailers, engine parts, old gates and troughs, hay racks, bridles, driving harnesses, lamps and all tack to freezers, teapots, sideboards, pictures, cabinets, wc's, tv's, bedroom suites, clocks, lots of tea sets, cuttlery etc Whatever you can think of I'm sure its here.

7/8/02 We have just arrived back from the RDS on a high. Douglas ***won*** the first leg of the 4y'old's. So many supporters with mares infoal were there, it felt great. He jumps again Friday at 9am and again on Saturday at 3.40pm if he qualifies (top six).

Norman Allen interviewing Richard Wright

9/8/02 Doug had a super round but knocked his first ever pole in a class, going into the double. He still finished *8th* and with an overall *3rd* place, qualifies for the final tomorrow. The class is rescheduled for 2.55 in the afternoon. He managed to cut his mouth by pinching it on too low a noseband, our fault, so hope it isn't sore tomorrow. We don't want any excuses! Ard Archer was *2nd* in his Stallion class, I have to say he was embarrassingly fresh. If we had only given the poor fellow a lunge over the last three days he might have behaved better. I also have to say that he was beaten by a pony that I am rather a fan of.

10/8/02 Ard VDL Douglas***won*** the Dublin Horse Show 4y'old Championship. What a day, we were all on cloud nine. Lots of people wanting to buy him, from Holland, Belgium and America. VDL were delighted when we rang them with the news and were reassured when they said "We do not sell our Champions, he stays in Ireland". Then on Sunday Norman Allen (pictured left) interviewed Richard in the main ring at a presentation for Douglas winning the 4y'old Championship.

September 2002 News 28/9/02 Ard VDL Douglas has just won the 4 year old Championship at the big Cavan Show. A great end to the season and he won't need to do anything again until next year. We are all out of here on Tuesday the 1st of October. I am sorry but I won't have my computer running again until we get the ESB and telephone in !. I'm not clever enough to get emails another way, but hopefully it won't be long before we are back on line. Bye for now.

1/9/02 Auction went great, we now have been asked to stay here for another month so our move takes place at the end of September. We have just bought a new 'old' tractor. Ola finished her term and went back to Poland and we all miss her. We are still covering some mares which seems very late to me.

October / November News We are back online. Our move from old Cherrymount was as hectic as all moves. I'm just not sure whether other people have quite so much rubbish! The move happened to coincide with Richard, during his final training leading up to his exams. It has all been worthwhile as Richard is now a fully qualified practitioner in Equine Muscle Release Therapy having passed his exams with distinction. (a page all about this will be up soon). As for the new Ard Cherrymount Stud, we are living on this beautiful piece of land, and will very soon start building a new house and yard with the intention of being ready for the early stud season. The horses are all stables at Macken's beside Kells which is very handy.

Cavan Indoor held its final International show and this time Richard had decided to ride Douglas and Ohio himself, but again we ran into a problem with Ohio feet. Richard riding Ard VDL Douglas

He cracked one badly so we had to withdraw him. One good thing came out of this, its spurred us into action and with experts across the globe we now have a cure for the problem (see his page). Ard VDL Douglas as always, did not let us down, and with one of his best round yet, won the Championship (pictured right), leaving him unbeaten in all his four championships this year.

Clifford, our South African student finished his term and is back home, a new man, according to his friends. We all miss him but he tells us is coming back for the next of season. So too is Ola from Poland, both very accomplished students.

News back from USA is Sue Robshaw and Ard

Intimate (left) by Ard Black Cat, turned heads in her first One star 3-Day-Event. This mare was purchased directly from this web site, sight unseen and Sue has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Also purchased form this site the Connemara Ard Cormac is winning plenty with Isla Savage from Northern Ireland. (right)

As for the building of our NEW stud (still called Ard Cherrymount Stud) we will be starting the 2nd week in January. We will dedicate a whole section to this project here as it involves a totally new way of building stables. If it proves successful remember you heard it here first ! Have a look at the principle and the way we are building our house, remember the stables have modifications. www.eurozonethermoforms.com

22/12/02 Conan at his first show - The children's Christmas Show, Cavan, with his friend Cloe's pony. Another bit of good news, we have another stallion joining us for next season! His name is Irco Lhee just click on his name to see his page.

December/ January News 2003 Our planning permission came through. We have most of the un-stabled horses rugged and fed in the fields here. A group of students from Kildalton Collage paid us a visit to see our stallions, and we gave them a talk and display on what we like to breed. I think everybody enjoyed it. We are just keeping the stabled horses ticking over and on the 7th of January our build started by removing top soil and digging foundations.

February News Ard Patrick is just back in work again and Ard Ohio is showing great improvement now he is on his tablets. All his coronary bands are becoming normal again and he is showing his former self by galloping and bucking when he is out loose, something he had stopped doing. Richard's horse treatments are beginning to get popular, he had two more new winners recently. I am feeling the benefit too. One bit of bad news is that Irco Lhee is having a problem with a tooth that had been surgically removed. He developed an abscess afterwards and we await the result of another trip to the surgery which means that he won't be arriving for a while.

Won a 1st, Douglas did his first show, a double clear at Dollanstown. Sunday 2nd of March we went to Tyrone and looked at Douglas's first foal. Ard VDL Douglas very first foal, a beautiful bay colt pictured here at to weeks old bred by Goe Gallagher, Tyrone. He is delighted with him and has sent the mare back to Douglas again. We are going to Necarne Stallion Parade on Saturday the 8th, taking Douglas and doing a stand too. We have a new web site for Shopkitt products we sell. Please have a look and let us know what you think. www.shopkittireland.com (off line now) For those of you interested in house or stable building, we will be pouring the walls around the 27or 28th of this month so ring to come and see. No, it will now be about the 4th of March. Stereo (USA),

the new thoroughbred stallion arrived today 27th (little picture here). He is a bit light in condition and light in muscle but he really moves beautifully so we are delighted. He is very sweet and calm amongst all the others so I think he should be a welcome addition to the clan. He won and raced until he was five but it was then that he did his near fore tendon but he appears fine on it now.

March 2003 News The stud work has started, collecting with the stallions off our new mount at our new place. We took Ard Patrick schooling at Rosmead, where he jumped the novice x-country course, I was amazed at what a natural he was with little or no preparation. All he had ever done was a few logs and three fences at Dollanstown as the ground was too wet to do more. It was only his second time to ride in a field with company too! Doug and Stereo are being inspected in Cavan. We want Douglas to be selected for performance testing this time, we think he deserves it and the grant available is a great help. At last Douglas got S1P, which means that he has been selected for performance testing. He was very fresh on the day but still jumped as good as ever. We will now take him to the Cavan Stallion parade this Friday. Unfortunately Stereo failed his wind even though he passed with us so we won't be standing him.

29/3 Our Douglas foal born last night (below), a fabulous bay colt out of Ard Cherry, Douglas's second foal now, we are more than pleased.

Ard Patrick and I are off to his first One Day Event in Galway 30/3. We are back, Patrick's first time in an arena was very good but I went wrong twice otherwise we would have been leading. One down showjumping as I put him under it! X-country he was a pro, bar the water, which I steered into the 'walk in' area, as I felt jumping in was a no hoper. He thinks water it a hole of death at the moment and walking in is our only method of entry. So until our next event we will visit all the available water jumps around and maybe have a swim somewhere too, till we get the idea to jump in.

April NewsThe stables pour is on Wednesday 2nd April. We just heard from Sharon Baldwin in England, that Irco Lhee is improving and will be over as soon as their vet gives the 'all clear'. Lots of people are calling in to see and book the stallions. Ard Eagle Eye our big coloured mare due to Ard Ohio, is becoming immanent. we would really love her to have a coloured foal. She had a huge bay colt Grand National day. The Doug foal is now 7 days old (pictured here). Ard Patrick is entered for Tyrella One day event 12th April.

Douglas is jumping at Cavan show. Stopped at the rainbow fence in the 1.20m class last night as his eyes went out on stalks when he saw it, but then jumped it fine (pictured on home page) we forget what few shows he has done as he always takes everything in his stride. This year he is showing more power and we love the attention he receives when he is in action. Keen O'Connor wanted to know if he was for sale, Barry O'Connor said as he watched him "He is a mother (beep) of a jumper". Saturday Doug jumped a double clear, this time in the 1.10m class and never minded the rainbow or water tray or anything. He will be jumping in the 1.30m on Sunday. You know we had two foals born, well, we have to thank Marily and Suzy for foaling them at Suma Stud. Our second is a big colt by Ard Ohio. We had hoped to have the stables ready, but as we were over a week behind the mares won the race. They are still there in the lap of luxury. It is great to have friends. Doug jumped in the 1.30m very confidently but a related distance caught Richard out and he couldn't help but have it down. Ard Patrick went to Tyrella One day event on the 12th, where we was 3rd after the dressage, clear showjumping and had to withdraw when lying 2nd, as he was slightly lame for the first time in his life. It is ever so slight we think he possibly has a muscle pulled when he hunter trialled. I kept feeling he was not just himself since, but could not put my finger on it. If I could just get Richard to treat him it would help. As for Irco Lhee, We don't know for sure whether he is coming after all.

May 2003 News 4th May All the stallions arrived in our new yard at long last. There was great excitement, particularly for the stallions. They thought they were in heaven with mares everywhere, foals too. 5th May is our lovely Connemara mares Birthday, Ard Khana is 29 today and looking great. She is the last pony by Carna Bobby still alive today.11th May Abbervail Dreams full sister had a smashing colt foal by Ard VDL Douglas. Have a look at the foals on his foal page .Ard VDL Douglas jumped double clears in Cavan at his last two shows, but has just got a cold and will not be able to jump at Mullingar Show this week end as planned. Hopefully he will be ready for the RDS qualifier on the 4th June in Limerick.

June News Ard Ohio is back in work.. Then, yesterday, 18th June, Douglas qualified for the RDS Dublin Horse Show in Mullingar. There were 120 in the class and Douglas was one of only eight double clears to qualify. There were a lot of people there who had mares infoal to him so it was especially nice for them, and he gave and exhibition to be proud of. Friday 20th, Ard Ohio had a double clear in Cavan, just in the 1m. Then Sunday 22nd Richard rode both Douglas and Ohio where they both jumped a double clear in the 1.10m going very well. Just a bit of news, we heard that a horse called 'Lucky 13' that was sold to the States, was brought back and sold to Frank Chapot and this horse was by our own Ard Allez Cat.

July News 2003 3/7/03 Ard Ohio's very first progeny, the filly 'Highdell Decota' out of an Appendix Irish Draught by Uibh Fhaili 81, qualified for the RDS Dublin Horse Show today in the loose jumping. She is very good, owned by Fiona Crowe and is infoal to Douglas. Ard Ohio only had two mares that year and really only has his first crop of 3 y'olds next year, so it is looking good. We have heard from America that at the One Day Event in Ohio, Ard Intimate was 4th and Ard Allez Girl was 1st in their various sections. Daughter and granddaughter of Ard Allez Cat, both clear in all their jumping phases. Ard VDL Douglas is going well. He jumped two double clears at Kill on Wednesday the 23rd, a bit of an expensive show for us, as Conan managed to brake a window while playing stones! Ard Archer (whom I have updated his page a bit) paraded in the "Celebration of the Connemara Pony" at the European Pony Championships at Necarne Castle on 25/7. It was a lovely chance to show off our treasured breed. 26/7 Richard and Douglas qualified for the Cavan Classic Finals by coming 2nd against the clock today.

August News 2003 6/8 Richard and Douglas had a clear and four in the first RDS class. He thankfully qualified on Friday. In the championships on Sunday he did an exhibition of jumping in the first round but it was evident that the course was to be won on speed. Richard felt that he would give it a go, but Douglas's lack of experience in this, knocked two as he kicked back, something new he acquired to his shills with all the weeks excitement. So he finished 11th (maybe 10th) overall. VDL were very impressed and that ment a lot to us. The Ohio filly did not jump her best in the 3y'old finals on Thursday, and finished mid field. She didn't knock or stop but just looked at the crowd more than what she was doing. So we were a rather disappointed. She did at least display her beautiful movement. The stud season is as good as over but there is always a few extras. Our mares are thankfully all infoal. Douglas jumped a lovely double clear in the Cavan 1.20m class on the 30th, his first show since Dublin.

September News At the European Championships, Punchestown we had the pleasure of being invited with Ard VDL Douglas to participate in RIDE ON; A celebration of the Irish Horse World in the Main Arena, using horses , film and music with story directed by William Micklem. Douglas was chosen with two other stallions (Cruising being one) to be ridden by our three Irish top eventing gold and silver medal winners. The whole parade was a marvel to watch, from coloured riding cobs to high class dressage in time to music and dancing. There were carriages, mounted games displays, Aga Khan winning team, Istabraq and Kilbaha, it was just wonderful. I hope William Micklem has a video available to buy. His email is; william@estate.powerscourt.ie. Great news for all of you hoping to use him last year, Irco Lhee is arriving with us on the last day of this month, more news then.On Wednesday 24th, Ard VDL Douglas qualified for the Cavan Classic Finals on Sunday going clear, after 28 went through into the second round. He went great, only Richard felt it was his fault to have a fence when he took a bad line into the last combination, but they still finished 7th.

October '03 News Irco Lhee has arrived. He is beautiful. I hope to do a page on his foals and on his family this week if I get time. We are castrating Patrick (through no fault of his own), as I want to get back into riding, and with my 'wonky' hip and lack of time, a 'hormonal-less' horse would be easier to ride, especially in the stud season months. I love riding him and really hope to do some serious dressage. Ard Archer has gone down to Jody Skelton in Carlow to do four weeks of jumping. Ard Abbervail went riding with Richard around at his first show, Eccilsville, on the 4th and behaved impeccably, while Ard VDL Douglas had a lovely double clear in the 1.10m. The Stallion inspections are being held in Cavan on the 13th,14th and 15th October, which, if you had time, would be interesting to watch. Click on Stallions and it gives you a list of who will be there. Ard VDL Douglas has passed subject to the required 18 x-rays which has to be done at the Vet collage shortly. Sales, Sales, Sales ...Ard VDL Douglas has just had his first two foals ever sold at public auction. In Gorsbridge one fetched €4,400 on Thursday and today the 18th, a colt made €8,100 and was knocked down to Pat Walsh. They were beautiful foals, very like Douglas himself. Ard Archer has gone to Joe Skelton for a few weeks jumping experience and we hear he is going great. We moved into our new house for the first time on October the 23rd . We are more like camping as we don't have any bathrooms or furniture to speak of, but it is great to be in. I hope things get finished soon as we have three families coming to stay with us over Christmas!

November News The Scope Auction is on again on the 4th with Mr. Aidan Grannel's Ard VDL Douglas colt (pictured here) as one of the lots, so do look out for him.

On the Dalmatian side, Smarties daughter has had a lovely litter of puppies due to go to their new homes in December. If you want one, please visit our 'dally' page.

We got a 'telling off' from Tom Reid at a talk given in the North, due to Douglas being incorrectly described on his web page, we have corrected it now, thanks to all of you who brought this to our attention. We are delighted to know he has such a following. 5/11/03 Ard VDL Douglas has qualified for the Cavan Finals for the week end (the 1.20m) by coming 7th in a class of 120.

December News This month is rather quiet for interesting news as we are very involved with just getting the house ready for Christmas and moving in our things. The tack room is still not done. The whole family is together for Christmas here, the first time in over 20 years, so it is a very special time, the first Christmas in our new house too.

Janurary 2004 News Hopefully a happy new year. We have a new stallion to add to our roster for the coming season, by using frozen semen as he is still pursuing his career in the army. Boherdeal Clover, one of our top Irish performers. We are standing him here at a new fee and will put up a page for him shortly and we feel honoured to have him, thanks to his owner Padraic Goonan. Do check out 'Stud Info' page though. All the horses here are well. It is the 14th, and we have still not received a letter back from the Bord in relation to Douglas's approval, hopefully 'no news is good news'

Ard Ohio is back in work (pictured here, 26th Jan.).When he played about, instead of going tense and freezing his back, he kept round and engaged. We will be takeing him to a show in a few weeks time which should be great.

Feburary News Where do I start. We have been off line for ages with FrontPage problems (editing software), we were not able to update our site . Hopefully we can catch up and give you something interesting to read. You may all be wondering why Ard VDL Douglas was not mentioned as one of the recently approved sires. Imagine how surprised we were. Firstly, there was a delay from the IHB in issuing Ard VDL Douglas results. We can only guess that they had a problem making the decision. They then classified him as S2. The reason is that Douglas, by x-ray, has sidebones. The information we received was that the vet panel felt that sidebones were hereditary, partly based on a study on the Finnhorse. OUR VIEW; We don't consider we have a problem. He has already passed three IHR vettings and he has no clinical signs of sidebones. In all the major studbooks across Europe ( KWPN, Hanoverian, Selle Francais, Holstein, Swedish, Anglo European etc etc ) as far as we understand, sidebones are considered irrelevant, particularly when not associated with any other conditions. Douglas is a sound horse, he also did a lot of jumping for a young horse. He is the best four year old from 2002. The breeders are very keen and use him. We were even offered €300,000 that we had to turn turn down for him as a five year old! it would take €1,000,000 to buy him!.

March News We have appealed the decision of the IHB and await the result. This is the first Ard VDL Douglas's youngster we have seen jump (pictured right). Named 'Ard Killua' he is out of our own mare by Ard Allez Cat, from Douglas's first crop. Actually, his second foal to be born (see March 2003 news). We then jumped two other progeny and you can see the result on Ard VDL Douglas's page.

STOP PRESS Boherdeal Clover (pictured standing) has retired from the Army for good and has just arrived to stand with us. A full page on Ard Cherrymount Stud was featured in the our National 'Irish Field' Newspaper and the phone has been hopping since. Stallion parades are getting underway. We had a great day out at Necarne Castle in Co. Fermanagh having taken Ard VDL Douglas, Irco Lhee and Boherdeal Clover. We hope to attend Portloise and Cavan, St. Patrick's week and Gorsbridge on the 28th. If anyone is interested to learn stud work, we are looking for a student to start NOW. Lots of enquiries have arrived for April onwards but preference will be given to those who can come earlier, so please call.

April News T

wo of our Ard VDL Douglas's foals were born. 2nd April, a fine, very big chestnut colt (pictured here left, a

day old), so like his sire in looks, (I have to say that this is the strongest Douglas seems to breed and its ours!) And 3rd of April, a grey filly (pictured below right, the day she was born) from our long line of eventers, I actually did Punchestown 3-Day Event on this fillys G.G.G Grandmother, that's six generations! . We really wanted a filly, now the dam can go competing as this filly is everything we had hoped for. 3rd April Ard VDL Douglas and Ard Ohio both had excellent double clears at Cavan Indoor show. I don't know what we are at, as Richard never got a chance to ride them all week as we are just so busy with mares. We have to get an extra pair of hands when we hear of someone. 4th April Ard VDL Douglas WON the 1.20m Finals of the Cavan winter Indoor League at a great pace. Ard Ohio was unlucky to have one down but went well, Richard said he just felt a bit tired, poor Ohio, he has just been on haylage for a while. We kept forgetting to get his special Bluegrass nuts which are 'starch free' to keep him on his special diet.

6th April 2004 Ard VDL Douglas is now Fully Approved with the AES (Anglo European Studbook). Up until now he was 'licensed' by the AES when in Holland, it was the highest position he could achieve for his age. Now, with his performance achievements since he started competing has gained him his full approval. Pictured here are two more of his 'this years' foals, both at two weeks of age (the black fellow is very big), bred by Lars and Caroline Bjoerk of Dollanstown Eventing Centre. Dams were on the 'For sale' page, but so far we are being unsuccessful at purchasing either of these two progeny! The brown mare is by Cavalier and the lovely grey mare is by Able Albert. Boherdeal Clover had his first mare scanned infoal for Ringfort Stud this week and Douglas is up on numbers of mares covered from this time last year.

May News We had our last foal born today the 1st of May, a great colt by Ard VDL Douglas out of our Tb Orchestra mare and a sweet chestnut filly the day before. I just had to put up the pictures for you to see as 'Flintstone' (our little mascot and friend) always likes to be on hand helping as midwife. These were taken in the first moments after being born. It really amazes us at how totally, the mares accept Flintstones' presence

Ard Abbervail gave us a fright after we did a semen collection from him last month as it was pinkish with blood. We have since done all sorts of tests and nothing major has come up. his following collections were fine so all seems well. We found the Repro Site helpful if anyone has breeding questions.

We are still very concerned about the Irish Horse Boards view on sidebones. When Douglas was x-rayed at the end of '03 the list of conditions considered unsuitable for approval, did not have anything included, which would have failed Douglas (except splints!), this list specified sidebones as 'palpable' which Douglas were not. Well, in 2004 a new list was compiled and it omitted the word 'palpable' when describing sidebones, but guess what? This year a stallion had been already approved by the Irish Horse Board with sidebones. What are we to think, I ask you. One thing I do feel, and that is that this horse which has just been passed, should have been passed ages ago. He is an Irish Draught that is well known in the hunting field and should never been failed on sidebones in the first place. Is it true about what we have heard, that is that King of Diamonds was known to have noticeable sidebones? one of our most famous sires. If anyone has any views on all this, please share them with us. We feel that there is much to discuss. It appears that it has not dissuaded breeders, on the contrary, Douglas is well up on numbers from last year, so people must be judging for themselves, a good return is a great carrot to any of us. It is also good to know that all breeders can get a fully approved books for their Douglas foals with the Anglo European Studbook. 15/5/04 Richard is jumping Douglas at Sutton Horse Show in Dublin and I have just heard that he had a lovely double clear in the 1.20 Power and Speed. Unfortunately I had to stay behind to look after things here. Ard Abbervail has moved to a nearby stables to have some ridden work with Damian McDermot, as we are so busy. Richard arrived back late and he finished 7th, very pleased with how he went in such a strong field. It has been a long time since a builder has been here, so we will just have to accept the 'build' is finished. We will take the reins from here and start fixing any bad work or jobs that are unfinished. Have a look the the last page on 'build' if you have been a regular follower, we are filling in the last bits of information and talk of lessons learnt.

June News 5/5/04 Ard Abbervail has just gone to Holland to train with Albert Voorn for a three month trial, after which we will see how he progresses and plan from there. Albert is one of the best, so we are all keen to see how they get on together. Many years ago, Albert Voorn was keen to have Ard Allez Cat, sometimes I regret that we did not go down that route because he is such a good rider and would have suited the horse so well, also, it would have been such fun to have dealings with such a top rider. Well, at least we can experience it now. Oh, I nearly forgot. Boherdeal Clover is off again, Pauric Goonan rang us on the week end to say he wants him to go back jumping. We will keep him for another week to do the mares that are here for him. He covered just 16 mares, was good at getting them infoal so his progeny should be well sought after with his true Irish pedigree and performance to match. We wish him well. It is often hard to expect a stallion of his value to stay in this country just to be used for stud. Breeding has become so competitive to gain rewards that a good and well related mare is becoming 'a must' if you want to breed the best for price or otherwise. We bought a filly by Ard VDL Douglas last week from Moses Hill, as she was out of a full sister to Ard Lulu, who finished 14th in the Volvo World Cup Finals for Sweden. An early investment like this should provide us with a lovely brood mare in the future, if we can afford not to sell her while she is out performing. When we were in Holland it was obvious that only colts this closely related to top performers on the female live were ever considered as future sires. Something we will all have to aim at if we want to compete as a nation that can still produce the goods. For example, last week we were offered €6,000 for a yearling that we want to keep on and sold two other yearlings for €1,000 a piece, it reflected their breeding, that was the difference. 13/6/04 Balinalee Show was on and I went to watch. It was great to see such a lovely lot of beautiful ponies, I took a couple of pictures which you can see on the Connemara page. I also found this picture below I had from earlier in the year, of our old mare Ard Khana, now 30, standing beside our 3y'old Village Boy daughter who was out of Crusheen Connie, dam of the winner of one of the first classes in Ballinalee the other day.

Then to add to all the changes in stallions, Ard Archer went to Leitrim within days of the show. A very nice man had the misfortune to have his stallion kicked by a mare and badly needed a good stallion to take up duties, he had a lot of mares still to cover. It was very hard to see Archer go, but to be turned out with his own heard will be a lovely life for him. We will just have to look out for another potential youngster to bring on, one that will suit the life here. A Connemara stallion for us, has to have a special character so that he can be used to tease out in the field in hand, be athletic as a jumper, have the temperament to be ridden by anyone when he is old enough, and have the ability to move. To top all that, he has to be good enough to be passed as a stallion when he comes of age! We may not get the right one first time, but if that happens they can still make into a nice gelding. All of you who have supported and used Ard VDL Douglas can register progeny to get FULL registration passports. We will do stud returns for all mares that visited and you will get making charts from the AES to register your progeny with the Anglo European Studbook at a fee of £40 (which is in sterling). We have heard that Test Flight is first reserve for the Irish Olympic team representing the AES and we wish him loads of luck. Also, please visit our friends web site; http://www.Suma-Stud.com for their (we feel sad) dispersal sale on 26th August next.

We have just purchased a Connemara yearling colt by Monaghanstown Fionn (colt pictured left) which will be arriving in the next week or so, we will place a picture of him here then. (N.B. He arrived, but the deal fell through because he had a swollen knee. The gentleman said it was now or never, so it had to be never. A risk we can't take if we ever wanted him to be a stallion. I was so disappointed). Friends of ours from Norway came to stay with us. Christina, who is only 16, rode Ard Ohio at two shows over the week end. On Saturday she had a double clear in the 1m and 1.10m classes and on the Sunday they both had double clears in the 1.10m and 1.20 classes so a good time was had by all.

July News

We have done a lot of fencing all over the farm. We spent all of €1,900 on driving posts and have since been attaching electric tape and insulators dividing up the fields. We also have extra turn out paddocks for the stallions too. 7/7/04 We took our Ard Ohio dun 3y'old filly (out of a dun 143cm Tb x Connemara) to the loose jumping competition in Cavan. We had no expectations as she has only been in 10 days and had loose jumped three times. Even though she did not qualify this time, she surprised us at her scope. At home she always jumped nicely and correctly, but that was it. This time she looked as though Richard had rapped her as she jumped so high, but unfortunately she just went higher and did not travel through, landing in trot, rather embarrassing. We thought it was just 'stage fright- then we realised how stupid we had been. We had put front boots on her without ever letting her get used to them first. It just shows how boots can affect a horses jump. At least it gave us a glimpse of what she will do when bigger fences come along and look forward to her next years Ard VDL Douglas foal.

15/7/04 Ard Spun Sugar jumped again in the loose jumping qualifier in Cavan and went really well, surprised not to qualify but we were pleased with how she went. We have now purchased her full brother who is also dun in colour, will probably finish over 16hh with the same nice kind temperament and 'Ohio' step. 24/7/04 Richard and Ard VDL Douglas finished 5th in the 1.30m class to qualify for the final tomorrow 25/7/04 Richard and Douglas finished 2nd in the final today at Cavan in the 1.30m going well (see picture below), hopefully this will finish as a nice warm up for Dublin next week. That fluffy thing on his lower strap of his breastplate, is to stop him 'studding' himself with his studs. He does it so high up as to be well past a stud guard, he would still hurt himself if we did nothing. Any better products out there?

August News 5-7/8/04 At the RDS, Richard and Douglas had a fence down in both qualifiers, that's showjumping for you. He really jumped well, on Saturday he made up too much ground in the treble and took the last fence, he just seemed to get on his head a bit. We are also having a problem with him cutting his chest with the studs, much higher up than any place a protector will work, as you can see from the picture above. We us a fluffy cover on the breastplate but it isn't working. Richard feels that it could be affecting his jump, understandably if it hurts him to fold up. After jumping in the RDS he had a load of fresh marks. We are going to have his stud holes moved to the middle of his shoes and see if that helps and then there was a Saddler at the RDS who is going home to see if he can make something. Any emails would be appreciated with ideas.

6/8/04 I (Heather) had the pleasure of judging all the RDS Connemara Pony classes with the very nice Mary Gordon- Watson from England. The Champion at the end was the stallion Castle Comet (1026) (pictured left). It was lovely to have such a nice pony to be the Champion, true to type with lovely movement and bone. He won in a strong class of stallions, any one of which would benefit breeders hoping to improve their mares. The reserve Championship went to Glencarrig Princess (13538) a beautiful 2y'old filly with a great future. The riding classes were full of lovely ponies, well turned out. I thought of how far we have come since I remember competing in Clifden many moons ago, where 'jeans and welly boots' were a common sight in a ridden class. 10/8/04 We decided to give our colt a little try over a fence today (pictured right). I only had the camera, rather than the video, so unfortunately I took the pictures to early and as we only wanted to jump him a few times (being a foal) I had to do with this picture, but we were very pleased with him. He is the one going to the Suma Sale on the 26th this month, Lot 13. By Ard VDL Douglas out of our Orchestra mare Briansannie xx born 1st May (pictured that day on our 'old news' page) We thought he would be a nice representative for us.

21/8/04 The Irish Field paper came out this week with my letter, as follows; "12-Aug-04 Dear Readers, I have just had an exciting few days. During the Dublin horse show, three different people congratulated Richard and I, for having bred the top priced three-year-old, (a gelding by ARD Ohio out of an Ard Black Cat mare) at the last July Goresbridge sales ( see Irish Field 31^st July issue), The horse was supposedly substituted for a Errigal Flight three-year-old, and made €12,600, twice as much as any other three-year-old. There was no Ard Ohio in the papers so I immediately rang Goresbridge but they were not aware of a substitution on the Errigal Flight horse (there was only one three-year-old by that sire). So I rang the vendor and asked him about the Ard Ohio he used to have. I understood him to tell me that he had sold him about eight weeks ago in Baltinglass. This seemed rather strange because just about a week before this he told my friend from whom he had purchased the horse, that he was still out in the field! So I had a feeling that this could well be the horse. I was back to Goresbridge Sales like a flash. They gave me the name of the new owner in England who I contacted immediately. They were ever so nice. They said that they did not mind what he was by, but would like to get as much of his breeding registered as they could as they were just about to do a DNA test on a hair sample. They said that they would go out into the field now and check the veterinary markings with the horse, then fax the markings to us along with a photo. And there he was, the Ard Ohio we had bred. I checked with the IHR and his markings matched, anyhow he was also micro chipped. I do have reasons for telling my story. Firstly, I feel breeders deserve to know and deserve to be recognised. I believe Ireland can breed horses (by what ever bloodlines), that are capable to compete with what Europe has to offer. And lastly, the recognition owed to Ard Ohio and those who used him. I can only imagine the reason for what happened and that is; the fear people have that buyers only come to Ireland to buy Irish bloodlines. The buyers of this horse told me that they have nothing against Warmbloods, that this year alone they had travelled to France, to the Fences Premier sale, to Belgium, Holland and Germany, unable to find the horse they wanted until this horse caught their eye in Ireland. They are now delighted to have a passport with a recorded pedigree and are on the lookout for more. They are well-known for producing top class horses and are responsible for a number of horses that are now in the top 100 of the world. And do you know what else? They were even offered profit for this horse when he came out of the ring! So there must be more buyers like them, I can only summarize and say; never be ashamed of an Irish bred horse. The Irish bred horse of today will surprise you tomorrow. Yours sincerely Heather Wright"

Its amazing, isn't it? Then on the home front this week (18th to 22nd Aug), l left for Clifden Connemara Pony show, while Richard helped Suma with their 'showing days' before the sale next Thursday (26th Aug). VDL visited and were delighted with how Douglas looked and are happy he stays. Then another Ard Ohio we bred sold well at Cavan sales to Liam McKey, and was bought again afterwards for €6,100 to showjump for Ed O'Sullivan of Ratoath. Sunday, I stood in the rain all day judging Connemaras in Claregalway Show (A show so well run it was still enjoyable) and arrived back late that night only to hear that Richard had broken down in the Lorry coming home from Suma with our mare and foal. Rescued by Suma, Bruce and a lorry pick up company, who's owner uses our stallions. What a time. The Suma sale went well. Marily and Suisie did a wonderful job and all their horses looked so well and had a great sell out. We didn't accept the €3,400 for our colt, but another foal by Ard Vdl Douglas, a filly, made €7,700!

3/9/04 We bought that Connemara colt we told you about in our news at the end of June. His owner rang again, his knee had got better and now he is here. Afterwards we tried him over a fence and he is what we had hoped he would be. I don't think we have ever had a Connemara to move like him. We just hope he does not grow too big. Richard jumped Ard VDL Douglas in the Cavan Classic Finals. He qualified the second day with two lovely clear rounds but unfortunately had two down on the final night. He jumped the track with ease, just had novice mistakes. This would have been his biggest track so far at 1.40m. The final round measured up to 1.55m! rather big for six year olds, so maybe it was the best for Doug. What do you think of our new member of the family?

She is a very young Cockatiel, who is two and a half weeks old. We picked her up on Saturday 25th and named her 'Jessap', as originally we were going to get a cock that Conan wanted to call Jacob, but there was only one hatched. Conan, our six year old, wanted a bird, so did I really. It is not as though we didn't have enough to do! we hand feed her four times a day and she is giving us endless enjoyment as she has loads of character. We got the bird just after we failed to get to Lanaken on 23/9/04 to watch the European Breeders Championships. We were all ready to go, tickets booked, hotel etc. until at the airport they told us that Richard could not travel on his driving licence. A bit obvious now, but a driving licence is fine to the UK so we never thought it would be any different. It was so disappointing. So home we came . Ard Ohio has been sold to Norway. We could not refuse an offer and a chance for him to do more serious completion. He will be going straight to a special training collage where they prepare a select few young riders who have the potential to represent Norway in the near future. Here they work together with their chosen horses and also continue their study. I think they do something similar in Germany, it sounds a great idea. The good news is we may have a new stallion for next year, maybe two.

2/10/04 Ard VDL Douglas jumped at Kilronan Show (beside Dublin Airport) in the 6 & 7 y'old qualifier for the Belfast Indoor International Horse Show on the 2nd to the 5th of December. They finished 5th with three lovely clear rounds with the third round at 1.40m and successfully qualified.

I have just heard that one of our new stallions (pictured right) will be arriving shortly, a 16.1hh brown Thoroughbred sire. He is not a young horse but a very well known one. He successfully competed in 1.50 - 1.60m and even jumped a 2.0m in a Puissance. I will put a page up for him shortly and link it here to his picture.

5/10/04 A filly we bought from Moses Hill arrived today. She is by Ard VDL Douglas out of a full sister to 'Ard Lulu' who finished 14th in the World Cup Final for Sweden a few years ago. From the family of 'Killagriff Lindy Lou' who was a well known 'A' jumper in Ireland. We hope to keep her to compete and then retain her as a foundation broodmare. We are trying to keep a band of mares that we would be happy if they bred like themselves!

7/10/04 Cavan sales were on the last couple of days. We could not help ourselves, and ended up coming home with a lovely big yearling gelding by Ard VDL Douglas. Stephan Weldon sold his foal by Ard VDL Douglas out of a Diamond Chin dam, for €3,600 by phone bid to VDL themselves. Then we nearly made a big mistake; We bid for a filly by Cavalier that turned out to be by a different Cavalier than the stallion we knew. Yes, the same name and a Grand Prix jumper, but we were supposed to know it was a different Cavalier because this one jumped in Denmark! At €3,500 we were relieved that the owner agreed to keep their filly on this misunderstanding and we gave a small recompense in return. It was a lovely big filly, but a large part of this purchase was due to the pedigree. Another lesson to be learnt from part bred sales.

We are going to be in Goresbridge next Saturday 16th, for the big foal sales (12th to 16th) with two of our Ard VDL Douglas foals. The colt out of the Orchestra mare (pictured above in August News) and the colt out of the Ard Allez Cat mare which is a full brother to the yearling colt we are keeping on. There are a few Ard Ohio's and Cruise On's, along with a lot of other well bred foals. So it could be well worth the visit.

Our last acquisition (for the moment anyhow) arrived today. This time a colt by Ard VDL Douglas out of a Clover Hill mare who is well related to some very good jumpers. This colt was the most expensive foal we have ever purchased, I can't tell you but I can say he is lovely. I will try to get a picture of him before he looses his lovely 'foaley' look and gets all 'weaned' looking. Our plan is to have a choice if potential colts to make future sires with direct jumping connections in the pedigree on the dam side as well. It is always a long wait, a lot of feeding, housing and luck. And then hope that they don't get injured during their adolescence. With colts running out together it is always a risk, but we feel they need this natural development for growing up into fine healthy horses.

8/10/04 Delighted, Smarties was scanned today and confirmed to be in pup. She is due in four weeks. Smarties is on the right, her Mom in the middle and her litter sister is on the left.

9/10/04 Our yearling Connemara colt looked a bit flat in the field today so we went out and took his temperature to find it was 103. Most likely a chill with this change of weather. He is in now on a course of antibiotics for the next few days. I have herd of pneumonia in foals lately, so it is good idea to keep a sharp eye on them. We have started weaning our first foals as they have reached five months of age. They eat well so it should be easy. The way we like to do it, is to remove the mare all together so they can't hear each other. We put 'dry cow' up each spin (two halves on one side and the same the other) and put the mare on a 'light do' for a couple of days. This way the foals stay with their friends and don't get unduly stressed.

16/10/04 We sold our lovely Ard VDL Douglas colt at Goresbridge sales . He went to a great home making €4,300. We heard that a filly owned by Diane Warrington (by Ard VDL Douglas) made €4,800 the day before. Another filly sold today (but was unfortunately lame) made €2,800 and was only three months old. I have put a few of these recent foals on Doug's foal page.

23/10/04 Ard VDL Douglas jumped at Killosery Show on the weekend and had a double clear in the 1.20m class to qualify for Sunday. Unfortunately on Sunday the going was the type the Douglas really does not like, even though it was raked between every horse it was still too yielding for him. We think it is because he has such a push off the floor that the ground needs to be firm for him to do this, When he booted a fence out in such an 'unlike' Douglas manner, Richard pulled him up. I remember Ard Allez Cat hated bad going but that was because he could feel himself slip and this shook his confidence, unlike Richard, I could be a bit more inaccurate though!

26/10/04 All the foals are weaned now. After saying how we usually do it, this time we just led them into the yard and then led the mares back out! With the radio on and the doors shut it worked a treat, five fillies and a colt who get out every day into the arena and with the weather so bad over the last few nights, it was well timed. We also managed to get the winter outdoor rugs on the horses that are going to winter out. It always amazes me how Richard even puts them on the slightly 'less handled' yearlings too, straight out in the field. These Horseware rugs seem to do a great job and stay on all Winter keeping them warm and dry. When we take them off in the Spring, wads of winter hair just peels off in handfuls.

27/10/04 Received a fax today to say that Maximum Clearance is arriving next week which we a really looking forward to. There has been a load of interest and he should be a great asset to those wanting to cross with a Thoroughbred.

28/10/04 Smarties is getting bigger even though I think she is still not as big as she should be, Dalmatians commonly have twelve or thirteen pups!. We are all guessing at a range between four to six and there is still one week left to go.

7/11/04 A good day and a bad day. Bad in that Smarties went into labour early Sunday producing two dead pups. Dalmatians usually have such big litters, so the small number probably ment that the labour was not intensive enough and the slow delivery was the cause. We were all so very sad, but will try again next time.

Good news though, was Ard VDL Douglas qualified and jumped in the finals of the 6 & 7 year old finals in Kill on Sunday and finished in 6th place. We also heard that Maximum Clearance left Holland on Monday the 7th on his way to us.

And here he is (pictured left) the new Thoroughbred stallion, Maximum Clearance. He arrived at 4.30am this morning, the 10th of November. I photographed him out in the paddock this morning as my video camera is still not working. He has the kindest temperament ever and he is a really scopy mover with a huge canter. This was the first time for us to see him so we were glad that we liked him more than we had expected. Shirley Kiernan had told us a lot about the horse and she was right.

I have just looked carefully again at this picture and noticed how he is so elevated off the ground as he trots, its amazing.

13th November. Richard and Ard VDL Douglas qualified for the 6 & 7 y'old's by finishing 4th from an entry of 80 horses. Ten from each day go through to the finals on Sunday 14th. Today in the finals he got into the jump off and Shane Breen made a brilliant time of 39 something. Edward was looking very fast too and slotted into 2nd but Richard decided to show some of his quick turns and stole 2nd place with Douglas in 41 something. It was exciting jumping, the crowd shouting, it was just great. So many people who had either used Douglas or had bought foals by him were there, so it was great for them too.

We had a lovely visit form Ian Mouser and his wife Pat on Monday and it was great to hear all the news. He was telling us more about how Ard Black Cat did after he arrived in Australia and there was so much we did not know about. He firstly had the misfortune to do a tendon while eventing and doing very well. After his recovery he concentrated on showjumping where he won a 1.50m Grand Prix. He then travelled to the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show where he finished 5th in a 1.60m Grand Prix. They told us that his foals are very sought after and they love him to bits. I have just realised I have no page for Ard Black Cat, another thing I must do. They then went out with Richard to look at all the horses in the fields. To Richards horror he found Briansannie (tb) had just been kicked in some freak way, out in a field with all her usual pals. It was an awful mess,

a huge dent in her skull just midway below her eye. We called the vet but obviously Briansannie had not looked at herself in a mirror and did not seem bothered, a bit noisy as she breathed and a hole in her head but delighted to munch on hay when we brought her in. The vet put her on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatorys and said that the slight paralysis of her lips should improve and hope it heals itself and watch her closely. Richard is doing that (I can't look at it!) and she still looks happy two days on, back out and on her treatments. I can only think that they all had a gallop and a play and she just got in the wrong place at the wrong time, as we never have hind shoes on horses out together.

What do you think of this spotted fellow? He is a yearling colt belonging to Maeve Al-Aidarous who sent me his picture, by Ard VDL Douglas, pictured on Douglas progeny page as a foal. It is unusual as you can see how he was born with a black main and tail and they have now turned white. He is 15.1hh so far and his dam was an Appaloosa Champion in the UK. I wonder does he jump?

December News Well, Belfast Show didn't go with the anticipated excitement as we had hoped...we didn't win! Douglas went well by jumping the first round clear but had two down in the jump off. Richard felt was his fault but the track did take a bit of jumping and it was bright and different for the horses. Douglas is eligible for that class again next year. It is a time of year when the horses are all getting fed out in the fields and there is no more competitions on. Douglas will have a rest and we will be getting ready for Christmas. Conan (our six year old is having lessons for the first time and is now very keen, it shows how doing it at home is not always as much fun for a little boy. Now he wants a pony! Our eight foals are beginning to look very well, all by Douglas, they go out every morning in the sand arena to run around. I think that it was not until February that we let them jump over a little fence across the school while they are playing, when they are that bit stronger and then only now and again.

January 2005 News Happy New Year to you all. We are aiming to run a social night in aid of the Tsunami disaster this month, so if anyone has any offerings to be auctioned, it would be most welcome.We had a great Christmas with family and friends. Conan, now six has suddenly gained an interest in riding and Kells Equestrian Centre kindly lent us 'Dolly' for a few days. Pictured here right and left, with Conan riding on his own in the fields! An exceptional pony and a hard one to find, which we are now trying to do. This pony is 12hh and will do a course of fences, hunt or ride quietly where ever her little rider wishes to go, amazing. If you know of one for sale or to loan, please let us know. The stallions have all had their Christmas brake and will now start back into work (the ones that do) The horses that are out get fed haylage and nuts twice a day. If I can get into gear I have my first dressage show with Patrick at the end of the month. 8/1/05 I cant say how bad a day this was for us. That morning I managed to loose our sweet little Cockatiel, as I said in Sept last, she was a new member of the family and that is how it felt. She would sit on our shoulders so often for attention and on this occasion I never realised she was there as I stepped out the door and off she flew, appearing to enjoy her freedom until the wind took her flight and we completely lost her. Searching the fields since, and leaving an empty place in our hearts. The poor little bird has probably perished by now. I know it has no relevance to the worlds problems, but it is hart braking for us. We will remember her always for the little character and friend that she was.

Jessop and Conan

12/1/05 We have heard the good news that Ard VDL Douglas is having his re-examination for full approval into the IHR main Stud Book this Spring, instead of having to waiting until the end of the year. This will be great news for breeders and for those who have used him. We have to have is front feet re-x-rayed and they have to make a judgement on it then. I think it is to check that there is no or little change in his sidebones, now that he has done another seasons jumping. They may take his performance into account too, which is marvellous.

Hugh McMahon from International Competition Stallions in Scotland sent me this picture of Maximum Clearance jumping in the US

in 1997. I hope to get more information on him this week to put on his page plus some pictures of his offspring. I gather he only covered about five to seven mares a season in America. I think he will suit us here as I have heard that his progeny move just like him. A much needed input from a Thoroughbred over here if we are hoping to maintain our lead in breeding eventers. His first mare has arrived today, Weijshe, belonging to John Reid. She is the dam of Accolade and Wishful Thinking among others, both Internationals, both represented Ireland this past year. She is very old, so lets hope we get her infoal. Actually John corrected me, Weijshe is the dam of four International horses, including two approved stallions!

We got two email today which is the fun side of what we do. This was the first with the picture;

From: TaMmy
Sent: 15 January 2005 23:44
To: info@irelandhorse.com
Subject: Ard Katalina

To Heather and Richard Wright,

I just thought id let you know how Ard Catalina is doing (we call her Kat for short ). She is such a wonderful horse, so honest and gives everything a go. I wouldn't sell her for the world now. She has been doing really well in dressage, She is up to elementary level now and she just loves Cross Country and eventing. I was on your website the other day and was looking at her dad and Granddad. Its a really good site and i cant wait until you put the new bit about Ard Black Kat on so i can find out more about her dad. I was just wondering if you have any photos of her mam that you could E mail to me as i would love to see what she looks like. My address is Tammy***. She also is doing well show jumping as well. I have had her all over the country showing and jumping last year and she has come home with lots of trophies and prize money. I have included some pics of her jumping at a local show when i first started jumping her. I will try to get some xc and showing ones sent to you as well when the computer behaves it self. I just thought Id let you know how she is doing and just to say thanks for selling such a wonderful horse. I knew i would find one like her one day. Thanks once again.

And then we got one from Pat and Ian Mouser saying Ard Black Cat is coming home. With a picture of himself 'Ard Black Cat' attached, competing down under (see below). Coincidentally, he is the father of Ard Catalina above.

Last Friday the 14th January we purchased a pony for Conan. A normal thing to do, but we did it in an 'abnormal' way, (At this point as I write, Richard walks past saying "Tell the world, why don't you" as he puts his eyes to the sky. "so everyone can laugh at us when it all goes wrong" He could be right, but it is what WE did!! We bought her from the Internet without seeing her! She is a little mare pony, 9 years old, 12hh roan which has hunted off the lead and jumped over 40 consecutive clear rounds in those tiny kiddie classes, so we bought her over the phone. Its in England and we have to ship it home. I will then have to tell you how we get on. I do have a list of reasons for doing this; I liked the people. The children had grown out of it and are still riding. (I always feel that when a child looses interest in riding, that it is often due to the pony) The pony was mainly ridden off the lead. It hunted, letting horses pass it (rare in a pony hunting) and if a child under 8 can ride clear rounds all the time it must be a saint. Lastly, I am sad to say, it was better value than what I was asked lately for older ponies over here. I think that these tiny ponies under 12.1 are more numerous (well used ones anyhow) in England, or maybe just easier to find due to the use of the internet. One good site here for buying and selling little ponies etc. in Ireland is http://www.irishequimarkets.com/. Anyhow, watch this space and see how we get on.

19th Jan. We are standing Glenayre Mystical Bobby this season (pictured here right, jumping ). He is a dun 14.2hh Registered Connemara stallion and a grade 'A' showjumper, jumping this coming year with Nicholas Butler. His sire is the famous Ashfield Bobby Sparrow, ranked 16th in the "Best pony jumping stallions of Europe" (all breeds) when I looked in a 2000 Zangersheide magazine. Ashfield Bobby Sparrow (by Carna Bobby) won the Pony European Individual Showjumping Championships with Edward Doyle. Bobby is a lovely pony for us to get from his owner Peter Meehan. I'll put a page up for him soon.There are a few additions to the 'Jobs' page and updates elsewhere. We have two stallions joining us shortly. One is 'Natal' a fully approved KWPN horse that has superb breeding. And a young stallion by Indoctro out of a Cor de la Bryere mare that we feel has a lot of potential. His pedigree has three lines of Cor de la Bryere, sire of Cavalier. Pages are not ready yet but I am working on them.
27th Jan, Conan's pony arrived yesterday evening, thanks to McMahons transport. And thank goodness too, as this little mare pony 'Tiffany' looks to be marvellous. Conan rode her around the arena last night, a new place to her, all spooky with shadows from the light, but she didn't put a foot wrong. Today, Conan rode her around the big fields on his own, trotting as well, and she was a saint. All she did was shake her head in a funny way sometimes. To see this work out is such a relief. AT LONG LAST The Irish Horse Board have agreed to accede to our request and have Ard VDL Douglas re-assessed now this Spring. I think they realised that we were treated incorrectly at our appeal with Douglas. Together, we decided that this was the best resolution. 27th Jan. We took Ard VDL Douglas to the veterinary clinic to be re-examined and these X-rays go to the IHR. Hopefully we will hear back next week. The knowledge I have gained on sidebones leads me to believe that this is just a formality at this point. Hopefully now Douglas will be fully approved with the IHR, a better start to the 2005 season ahead.

Here is Tiffany (below), Conan's first pony. She is working out to be a real success, We changed to a stronger bit as sometimes she would walk off in her own direction, not Conans, but always behaved in trot in open field etc. Now he is in control again all the time and is gaining confidence. He has fallen off a few times in the field, but a canter in the arena has now been achieved without falling off and Conan is delighted.

We contacted Mr Otto Schalter, Assistant Breeding Director on Germany of the Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar Studbook as Maximum Clearance is approved by them, to ask what they thought of Max, He kindly gave us this reply:

We inspected Maximum Clearance in 1997 and approved him for our warmblood breeding. Maximum Clearence has been a very successful jumper in the Grand Prix Class with his previous owner George Tysarczyk and other international riders. The detailed information you will get from his former owner. The offspring presented to us in the US showed a lot of solid bone, and a good conformation. In the three basic gaits a lot of elasticity and swing. His first offspring in the US, only pure TB's, shows successful in dressage and jumping.

In 1997 he was graded: Type: 8 / Conformation: 7 / Correctness: 7 / Walk: 8 / Trot: 7 / Canter: 9 / Freejumping: 8 / Overall and development: 8

Monday 7th Feb. Both the new stallions arrived today. VDL jumped the the young horse by Indoctro before he left (as he had been away at another yard). they said that he was as 'good a jumper' as anything they have. Sounds good. Netal is a lovely kind horse too, we are pleased. 8th Feb. We had our first visiting mare Weijshe (aged 25), owned by John Read, scanned infoal today to Maximum Clearance. Well done Max! I said I would let you know how we are getting on with Conan's new pony 'Tiffany'. Well, it could be better. Like a typical little pony, she is realising that Conan comes off very easily! Now, I will say she is behaving very well, but we find that when Conan looses his irons and his legs grip back too far or he flops out of position unexpectedly like any little beginner, she doesn't like it and flies off. I now realise that she could be described as being 'too good', she jumps so well and is sensitive. We also made the mistake of feeding her and keeping her in at night. We made a bit of a mistake along those lines. But even if we had seen her and had her on a weeks trial we would still not have been any the wiser. But because she is so good to ride generally, we are going to keep her and get Conan a pony for this year until he is better ready for Tiffany. If we tried to persue, I think we could run the chance of ruining them both at this stage. The only problem is the extra cost, so lets hope we have a good stud season with the new stallions and that Douglas gets fully approved with the IHB. Sunday 20th Feb. I am still on the pony theme for the moment. Last Thursday Conan and myself went to England and looked at Pepper, another 12hh pony. This time jumping was not important, we were out looking for a bombproof pony. I managed to only organise one pony to see as another had been sold. I had a fair idea that all the others were not what we wanted. We tried her, we bought her and she arrived yesterday! Today Conan rode her in the arena and off around the fields. He even had a canter in the fields and jumped a little double of fences back in the school when we got back. Believe it of not, he did not fall off or get bucked off. Pepper is great but does not like to jump, and even though she is 15 we still hope that Conan will manage to do little jumps, and sure enough he did (picture below). She is such a kind pony and her previous owner Ben has progressed with great confidence on to a bigger pony. (I always feel that when a child has lost interest it has a lot to do with the pony they have.) It is only from December the 11th that Conan started to ride, before that he had no interest and only sat on our old pony and be led, he seems to have come a long way since then.

Monday 28th Feb. I set off to Essen for the huge equestrian Sports World Fair 'Equitana'. It was fascinating. I took a great interest in the western riding and the Parelli, now that I find it difficult to ride, I may be able to enjoy a new training method and still get great enjoyment. The halls of stands in Equitanna were numerous and of course, I bought a few things too!. Came home via the International Stallion Show in Zwolle (NED) to watch a day of the jumping. The standard was impressive and interesting to see our stallions pedigree lines in action.

With regards to Ard VDL Douglas and his approval with the IHB, we are confused. His re-examination of his x-rays (which was agreed by the board of directors to be conducted at this time) has been assessed and passed by the Horse Boards veterinary panel, but the Horse board have not informed us of their intention to approve him!. We await a reply while Richard is becoming increasingly frustrated and annoyed with the intransient attitude of the Irish Horse Board. As we understand it, Douglas has now passed his Conformation, his performance test, his open competition results and his x-rays have been fully passed by the IHB Veterinary panel, headed by Mr Tom Hurley. Does this not classify him as approved?

Friday 11th Feb. Glenamaddy stallion parade. It started at 6pm and we took three; Ard VDL Douglas, Irco Lhee and Maximum Clearance. It took us nearly three hours to get there and by 1/4 past 12 we had not jumped, so decided to head home. Richard jumped Douglas in Cavan on the week end, with another lovely double clear in the 1.30m class as a warm up for the 'mini 1.35m Grand Prix league', the first being held in Kilronan, Co.Dublin next Sunday. Also, Irco Lhee jumped in the 1.10m. He had the fastest time, but unfortunately one down. At home Conan has been gaining confidence riding Pepper around the farm and doing a few little jumps. I think we have a long way to go before Pepper thinks jumping is for her! We have to keep it small. So small, that as she approaches a new jump and slows down to stop, that we, as bystanders, can lead or push her over it. Maybe she'll get better.

St. Patricks Day Thursday 17th March. Patricia (or French student) rode Irco Lhee in the parade today in Clonmellon as our 'first ever' 'float'! He behaved brilliantly. As you can imagine it was scary as the parade turned back up the street again passing Irco on its way, with all its balloons and banners. Richard is getting Ard VDL Unlimited ready for the IHR inspections next week and the stud work is getting underway with visiting mares and semen away. Also, we now have the ability to accept credit card payments for stallion fees directly through this site. Just go to our 'Stallions' page and click on the 'pay now' button which is processed through 'paypal', a secure service we have been using ourselves, for a number of years.

Saturday 19th March. The problem with Douglas and the IHB made the headlines of The Irish Field today written by Siobhan English, it described our situation pretty well.

Sunday 20th; Richard and Ard VDL Douglas was placed 4th in his first Grand Prix which was held at Kilronan Show, Co. Dublin. This is the first of a five part league sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian, the owners of the famous stallion 'Guidam'.

We have just heard that Irco Lhee, has two graded sons in England now. I found this picture of one of them, 'Goss Green Mirage' out of a Welton Crackerjack mare, owned by Peter and Alison Jenkins. One of them, I was told, scored 10's for all his jumping at his grading.

Richard is jumping Ard VDL Douglas hopefully at two Grand Prix Shows this Easter weekend. Sunday in Kill, Co. Kildare and Monday in Glenamaddy, Co. Galway.

Easter Sunday 27th of March. A very sad day for me as I had to have my beloved Khana put to sleep. I had two wonderful horses through my life and she was one of them. She was with our others mares due to foal getting fed every day and Richard said she was in good form that morning. After lunch I went out to find her standing looking terribly shook. Thanks to our vet, who was here within the hour, who said her vital signs were very bad and knowing Khana had cancer, we knew that we had no option. Thank God I managed not to cry all over her and she passed away peacefully, but I miss her so. I bought her from my mother thirty one years ago with money I had saved. I spent many hours a day playing with her as a youngster, and when she was old enough, she was the first horse I ever trained. As I had then started with my 15.2 Khana went on loan to Adrian Sharpe who hunted her and successfully represented Ireland in WHP. After that Heike Holstein borrowed her to ride soon after her Father died. She won a lot with Khana including a first at the RDS Dublin Horse Show, giving Heike back her confidence. Khana was also a great broodmare. She bred among others, Ard Conneely who became the Supreme Champion at the Clifden Connemara Pony Show and the RDS. It was only last week Richard and I stood and watched as she galloped down the field with her friends, that is how I will remember her.

Richard rang later that day to see how we were and to tell me some good news; Ard VDL Douglas had a super double clear in the Guidam Grand Prix, Kill, to finish 5th. What a day.

I see that a full report from Kilronan Show March 20th, when, is featured in Jumpingaround.com a great site with up to date news and superb photos. A great shot of Douglas on page 2.

Monday 28th Richard headed down to catch another Grand Prix, this time in Glenamaddy and also to give some mare owners down there, a chance to see him jump. He went very well until the 11th fence, a double where Richard checked him on the corner a bit too much and Doug thought he had finished, he just about came to a walk!. Richard had to 'hoosh' him on again where he jumped the first part, but had the sense to run out at the second. Came around again and jumped it fine. Richard was kicking himself as there were only three clears into the jump off. Wednesday 30th Ard Cherry (by Ard Allez Cat) had our first foal of the year, a fine big colt again by Douglas and very like him, maybe a touch more quality than his full brothers, we will have to see.

Saturday 2nd This month is starting well. Conan had his first ever show with Pepper and they actually had a double clear. We were so pleased for him as poor Conan had two falls the day before while having their last practice, Pepper decided to stop when she was going a bit fast and then she jumped a bit big from a standstill, still, they are both getting more confidence and learning a lot.

Sunday 3rd Richard and Douglas jumped in their fourth Grand Prix today and finished 5th. It was so exciting and he looked great even though I say it myself. It was the 'Guidam' class again which is a nice step up into this level. This time it was in Cavan with a good entry of nearly forty horses. To give you an idea of what goes on on a day like today. I will start at the beginning with a 'behind the scene' here at Ard Cherrymount Stud.