Achnacarry & Craigiebrig Highland Pony Stud
CURRENT NEWS
15th February 2010
Just a wee extra bit of some ponies either bred by us and sold or foals
by Rannoch received from various friends.
Fergie by Rannoch out of Fhuaran now on the Island of Lewis
Aigas by Tarka out of Rowan .
He is at present on Islay but has been sold.
Cameron of Castlegreen bred by Alison Payne
by Cameronina of Tower (By MacGregor of Achnacarry)
Elphin of Achnacarry
by Tarka out of Corrie Bheag
Ember of A Full brother to Elphin
Fearchas. Full brother to Fergie
Kayreen Jones' foal Dakota by Rannoch
Ian Crichton's foal (Ben Alder Estates) by Rannoch
Ian Crichton's foal again
7th February 2010
Well here we are into a New Year and having had snow and lots of it we can tackle anything now!! The last time I wrote this up we had had our Foal Shows and were about to let our filly foal out again along with her friends after she had had her tetanus jag and microchip. We achieved all of this and after having had some handling we decided to put the 2 year olds and yearling , as our filly foal is now out during the day and in in the evenings partly to save the grass and also help with the handling. It has worked well and below are some piccies of them all some just after they had been let out and others of them in the snow.
First day out
All three rushing back
Delighted Ellie. (Rosealie)
Happy Torry
Siusaidh grazing happily
Siusaidh again
Siusaidh again!
Torry
Ellie
What else has been happening? Not a lot! Mainly because by the time we put the youngsters out in the morning, muck out their bit of the barn, bed it down again, fill up their buckets with water, fill up their hay rack, feed Rannoch and Meg who also come into another part of the barn, the morning has gone!! We haven't ridden for months again because of the snow, then when it eventually went it left ground that was either too slippy for riding or it was absolutely freezing which certainly doesn't endear us to ride these days!!
All of the ponies are well with the exception of Fhuaran, who looks well enough but she has horrendous melanomas under her tail and on her backside. One day I found them leaking and rather smelly and as the vet was out to jag some of the other ponies I let him have a look at her. He wanted to see if she was still in foal as this may have made a difference to her fate. Unfortunately she was so bad we both decided that perhaps her day had come. I therefore contacted them again after I had a week to think about it and also contacted the knacker to come and do the needful. However, this time it was a lady vet who came out and after examing her she suggested that we took a blood test to see whether she was still in foal, which we did. She also suggested putting her on antibiotics which we also did. I contacted the knackers with relief and cancelled them. The good news is that Fhuaran is still in foal, also the antibiotics cleared up her discharge and all is more or less well. I say more or less as she has just a few days ago her discharge started up again. However we shall put her on antibiotics once more and keep our fingers crossed that she keeps well until she foals. If all is well we shall retire her from breeding which is a shame as she breeds well but unfortunately one day her malanomas will take over completely.
Fhuaran of Orangefield. Age 19 years.
So we look forward to the Spring and new foals on the ground and also hearing from the various owners of mares who visited Rannoch last year. In 2009, Rannoch had 10 foals on the ground and this year I think there should be around 5 due to other owners. All very exciting.
We hope to show at the Stallion Show also on March 6th to be held at the new Stirling Mart once again. We have entered our 2 year old, our yearling, and a yeld mare. From these three we will choose two hopefully to take and show. The following week we are off down to Birmingham to Crufts with Sasha, our younger Schnauzer, mother of the puppies born in September, and also her brother, Alfie who qualified for the first time at the SKC Championship Show at Ingliston in August 2009. His owners, Dougie & Agnes have kindly agreed that we can take him and show him for them. However more of that on Tiffany's page. I shall put a few pictures of the ponies in the snow ......Here they are...
Tarka of Orangefield. Aged 14 years.
Meg of Achnacarry. Aged 26 years.
Munching ponies.
The youngsters foraging.
Rannoch of Achnacarry. Aged 9 years.
Torry cantering in the snow.
Syke & Fhuaran . Both 19 years old.
Rosanna (Rosie) Aged 5 years.
The two 2 year olds!!
Rosie & Euan. 5 years & 6 years.
Ponies rolling in the snow.
Rannoch again
Rannoch again
Some sheep belonging to Alex.
Forgot to mention that we visited Aberfeldy just before Christmas and there we saw Fionnlagh of Achnacarry who is now rising three years old and belongs to Donna & Megan Pringle. He was looking very well indeed and I was very pleased to see him looking so. Here are a couple of pictures of him.
Fionnlagh of Achnacarry. Rising 3 years old. 
Fionnlagh of Achnacarry.
Cameron of Dull is the yellow dun.
That is about me up to date for the time being and as it is nearing dinner I shall close for now.
Until the next time.............24th January 2010
Happy New Year to all who read our web.
6th December 2009
Here I am again to update with the latest!
Last Saturday we went to the Winter Fair which was held in the new Market at Stirling. It actually didn't take us too long to get there and we took only our yearling, Rosealie of Achnacarry. She travels well on her own and behaved well in the ring when I showed her. The entries in general were much improved from previous years and our Judge was Sheila Brooks. We were pulled in 3rd to begin with but after walking and trotting up and down we were pulled in to 2nd place which delighted us. I hope to add a piccie once I get one! Here it is..with kind permission from Deedee who lives on Islay! Thanks Deedee.
Rosealie of Achnacarry
By Tarka of Orangefield
Out of Midge of Achnacarry
Champion of the Winter Fair was Willie & Jennifer Allan's filly foal,
Milady of Millfield by Glenmuir Lochaber out of Misty 11 of Millfield.
Reserve Champion was George Baird's gelding, Whitefield King Queole, by
Lancelot of Whitefield out of Whitefield Queen Fairy.
Ellie has had 2nd prize every time we have had her out with the exception of
The Royal Highland Show where she was 4th out of 21 entries!....Oh and of
course today!! We took her to Tayside Foal Show at Forfar. It wasn't one of
our best days and we ended up 6th out of 7 to begin with then final
placing was 5th. Our Judge for today was Sandy Baird.
Champion was Heather Gow's yearling filly, Westray of Alltnacailleach, by
Donald of Shiehill and out of Kilda of Alltnacalleach.
Reserve Champion was S & R Kidd's gelding, Burnside Vorlich by Moss-side
Iain Mor and out of Burnside Quintessa.
Champion Foal was Susan Skea's colt foal was Marnonwells Majestic, by
Darrochdene and out of Marnonwells Cara.
Here are a few pics from today.
Rosealie of Achnacarry. (1 yr old)
Rosealie (Ellie)
Makaila of Millfield
Sire: Rannoch of Achnacarry
Dam: Millfield Morning Mist
That is the last of our winter shows and we are off down to Olympia from 17th December until 22nd December. Olympia is on 21st December and we are going down to support Echo of Achnacarry ridden by Pam Brown and owned by Bruce Haliburton. We are also taking the opportunity to visit and stay with Tim's sister and brother in law and also his son, David.
Siusaidh, our filly foal has now been microchipped and had her first tetanus jag. She is now much friendlier and we hope to put her and the two yearlings out during the day and bring them back in at night...mainly to help the ground as they will be going into a wee field that has loads of grass and I don't want it trashed. Photos will follow....hopefully. Until the next time............21st November 2009
Just a short update to say that Tiffany's page has been updated with all the piccies of the puppies and their new owners. I can hardly believe that they have all gone. Perhaps the ponies will now have some attention as the puppies took up a fair amount of time. Last Sunday we brought in our filly foal with Torry for company as she needs to have her microchip inserted as well as her tetanus injection. We managed to get her headcollar on and groom her and she is gradually becoming very friendly. I am sure with all the rain that we have been experiencing she will be quite glad to be indoors!
A fortnight ago Tim and I were up in Abedeen where I was judging Highland Ponies at the Aberdeen & District Welsh Cob Association. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I had a good selection of ponies there. We hope to go to the Winter fair on 28th November with Ellie our yearling filly and also to Tayside Foal Show the following week with her again and also Siusaidh our filly foal....all being well. That is my short update.....more to follow later..... Until the next time.....20th October 2009
Just some more to update.
The Highland Pony world mourned the death of well know and loved breeder, Elizabeth Compton who died earlier this month. Tim and I attended a Service of Thanksgiving yesterday, 19th October along with many, many others. Her two daughters, Maggie and Alison gave a good account of her life and many achievements and afterwards we retired to Ward of Turin for tea and sandwiches. We caught up with old friends and afterwards I thought how pleased Elizabeth would have been to have seen so many of her friends there. She has left a legacy through her ponies in the capable hands of Hamish Cameron and her family and we are proud to have bred Rowan of Achnacarry sired by Glen Aigas whom Elizabeth owned for many years.I remember my first time at Fife Show in 1964 when I showed my gelding, Drumloist Jock and Elizabeth was the Judge. He was Highly Commended and for that I received a card with a pink ribbon. I have it yet!!
With all the shows finished now we should have more time to do other things!! The ponies are all beginning to grow their coats and I don't blame them as today especially there is a chill wind blowing. I need to get a move on now and bring Suisaidh, our filly foal in and handle her more to prepare her for her tetanus jag and also her microchip.......all before end of November! Where does the time go? Here is a piccie of her taken a couple of weeks ago.
Siusaidh May of Achnacarry
Sire: Glenmuir Lochaber
Dam: Fionnalaigh of Achnacarry
The other thing I did a couple of weeks ago was to get Rannoch out of the field and climb back onto his back. Although he was well broken three years ago by Pam Brown I just seemed to be riding Rowan or Euan then Rannoch would be covering mares in the summer. Anyway it was as if he had always been ridden, he collected straight away and seemed to enjoy it. I now have to keep him going which may prove more difficult! Here are a couple of piccies.
Rannoch looking hopeful!!
Leeding him first of all!
In the yard walking out well .
Rannoch trotting.
That is about all at the moment....life is never dull at Pitmenzie with ponies, puppies, and dogs. Tim and I will be celebrating 17 years of marriage on Friday 24th October.....so that's not bad going!!!
Until the next time.............30th September 2009
Here I am again. We are now at Kinross show report! We took Rowan and Ewan and Rosealie (Ellie) Ellie was 2nd in her class, Euan was 4th in his and Rowan was only in the ridden class. She won the under 14hh class then went on to win the Overall Ridden and was Champion Ridden pony. In addition she was Overall reserve Champion....so all in all we had a very good day. Here are a couple of pics from the day.
Rowan...Ridden Champion
Rowan
Lucy on Rowan
Euan at Kinross
After Kinross, our next show was Blair Atholl. We had entered Rowan and Ewan but I decided we would have a peaceful day without Euan, who always gets a little uptight so we just took Rowan for the ridden class. She went very well and at first was pulled in 2nd to our delight. However, after her show she was pulled in 4th..still very good as she was in good company. We were pleased and relaxed for the rest of the day! Rowan had also qualified for the NPS In Hand as well as the Ridden on the Friday, but as we had had a decent day on the Thursday and also because the weather had deteriorated somewhat and the ground wasn't too good, we decided to go on the Friday by ourselves leaving Rowan peacefully grazing in her field!
Echo of Achnacarry, owned by Bruce Haliburton and ridden by Pam Brown had a very good day at Blair Atholl. He won the over 14hh class and then went on to be overall Ridden Champion thus qualifying for Olympia!! We were all over the moon and so pleased for Bruce, Bothie and Pam..........Yippee!!!!!!!!! Here are a couple of pics of Rowan and Echo.
Lisa and Rowan
Maggie Inglis (Judge) on Rowan
Echo of Achnacarry
Ridden by Pam Brown
Owned by Bruce Haliburton
Qualified for Olympia 2009
Our 2nd last show was NESPHEC held at Duthie Park, Aberdeen and it actually turned out to be our last show as the Central Scotland HPC show was cancelled due to the wet weather. For Duthie we took Rannoch, our young stallion just to give him a little turn and he was shown there for us by Bruce. He was 3rd in his class and behaved very well. We were very pleased with him. He travelled very well and stood in the trailer for most of the day and was admired by many, and was spoilt with people passing by giving him sweeties!
Here is a pic of Bruce and him.
Rannoch & Bruce at NESPHEC 2009
The only other thing that I did which I enjoyed, and I believe Tim did too, was to attend a Western Clinic in Edinburgh. Our teacher was Bob Mayhew, well known in the Western circles. He is certainly a great character and I learned a lot that day. We took Euan and he was such a good boy behaving very well and travelled all by himself not uttering a squeek! Bob had him cantering in the round pen all by himself ..the idea being for Euan to give him his face and loosen up a bit before I got on him. We had a great time and the day before we had been across without Euan and had enjoyed a great meal with everyone. Thanks go to John and Margaret who ran the event and I shall definitely be going again next time Bob comes up. Here are a couple of pics of the day.
Euan Western
Euan relaxing
Euan in the round pen.
9th August 2009
Here I am again trying to get up to date!! I have now added pics of Rowan at the Royal Highland Show 2009, and you can see them below if you scroll down. I am about to add some of Rosealie..her half sister who is a year old and was 4th out of 21 entries at the Royal Highland Show so we really had a good show. I shall tag them onto Rowan's in hand pics along with a few ridden ones of Rowan the following day when, although she gave a very good account of herself she wasn't placed. Perhaps she was still recovering from her tremendous win the previous day!!!!!
After the Highland Show we had a few days!!! to rest before the next lot of shows. We were entered for Doune & Dunblane Show but decided that Rowan & Rosealie had deserved a well earned rest and decided that we needed a rest also. Our next shows were Kirriemuir and Kittockside on 18th and 19th July . Unfortunately for Kirriemuir Show the weather was very wet so they decided to cancel it on the morning of the show. Fortunately for us we had decided that we couldn't face getting up early twice so we decided that we would give Kirriemuir a miss and go only to Kittockside. We took Rosealie (Ellie) on her own to Kittockside and she travelled very well on her own, and after going round in ever decreasing circles we eventually found the show ground!! We had been before but not for a couple of years. It is a lovely site and it is not only Highland Ponies but Shetlands and Clydesdales that show there. Our Judge was Alan Baird and I was pleased to receive 2nd prize rosette. Ellie was a good girl and behaved very well so what more can you ask?!
I forgot to mention that in between Doune & Dunblane Show and Kittockside Tim and I and Sasha, our younger Schnauzer bitch went down to stay with Alison Payne in Yorkshire to enable us to visit a handsome young male dog to line Sasha.....and hopefully have puppies. More about that in Tiffany's Page once I update it!! After Kittockside we were off to Braco show..this time with Rowan but only for the ridden and Ellie again for in hand. Our Judge for the day was Bruce Haliburton for both classes. Once again, the entries were good and we were again delighted to win 2nd prize with Ellie. The ridden classes were well supported and Rowan was in good company, so we were pleased enough with our 5th prize....especially when it had been a long wait for her before the class. Here are a few pics of the day.
Rosealie of Achnacarry
Ellie
The Judge, Bruce Haliburton
with Probation Judge, Lesley Jolly
and Ellie
Willie Allan & Jennifer Allan
with their prizewinning Filly Foal
by Glenmuir Lochaber
Rowan & Lisa & others
Bruce Haliburton on Rowan
After Braco we had Perth the following week to which we decided to take Rannoch to....just for a change and because we had the offer of a handler in the shape of Bruce Haliburton. We also wanted to take Rowan so when Lisa suggested that they would take Rowan for us that solved the problem. Rowan went over to Glenfarg a few days earlier to give Lisa a chance to work with Rowan and we brought Rannoch up nearer the house so as I could groom him and remind him what a bit was for!! He was actually a very good boy and even although his visiting mares had just gone home a week or two before-hand he has settled down very well and has got used to us riding up past his field at close proximity.
On the Friday before the show it did take me quite a while to bath him as he was rather dirty!!! I ended up standing up on steps to rinse his mane out properly. However the deed was soon done and his mane and tail were soon platted up and even although it was pouring rain later on...he was fine the next day. I had decided he would be happier outside with Meg so just put an outdoor rug on him and he was dry and pretty clean the next day. He loaded and travelled well and was a good boy at the show . He behaved reasonably well in the ring and was awarded a 2nd prize. We were very pleased with him and grateful to Bruce for showing him for us. Rowan had arrived with the Gourdie family all spic and span. Lisa took her into the under 14hh class and although the ring was pretty soft with the previous night's rain Rowan coped very well and was rewarded with 1st prize. She went on to compete against the winner of the over 14hh class (Alison McLeod) and came out on top as Ridden Champion. Lisa was extremely pleased as she had always wanted to win the Inverdarroch Salver as she and her mother own Sally of Inverdarroch and had competed for the Trophy at Perth previously. All in all a great day for all of us.........Here are some photographs of our day.....
Getting ready with Rannoch.
Bruce practising with Rannoch
Bruce showing Rannoch
Anne Mitchell looking over
Rannoch at Perth
Rannoch with his 2nd prize
Lisa & Rowan in the mud
Waiting to go into the Championship
The Championship
The Championship
Rowan & Lisa Ridden Champions
Rowan & Lisa Perth Show
That was Perth Show. Only Kinross to report on and that will be me almost up to date!! I have put on so many piccies I think my server will be telling me off and asking me to reduce them or archive some of our earlier years!!!
Anyway...Tiffany's page has to be updated after this but until the next time.......................26th July 2009
Back again for a bit. I had updated up to handling Rosealie, our yearling filly who had a bit of attitude. We wanted to take her to Alyth Show but although she had been handled during the winter we had put her out in the field with the others from Spring onwards,. However to cut a long story short.....we managed to box her ......... eventually with the help of good friends then afterwards practised away with her and soon she was a wee star!
The day before Alyth Show I brought her inside and bathed her etc. then off we went the next day only with her. She was very good all by herself in the trailer and at times we would never have guessed that we had a pony in the trailer. She was pretty good in the class and certainly much better behaved than some! We were pulled in 3rd at first but on the final draw in she was 4th. However I knew I hadn't perhaps ran her out all that well due to the fact it was our first time in the ring and we hadn't had a lot of practise. So...all in all Tim and I were very pleased with ourselves. Here is a pic of myself and Ellie at Alyth.
Rosealie (Ellie) of Achnacarry
Alyth Show 2009
Me trotting Ellie
Next is a pic of Rio of Inverdarroch who is by our Rannoch and out of Rowena of Inverdarroch. He is 2 years old and owned by Bruce Haliburton.
Rio of Inverdarroch
by Rannoch of Achnacarry
Out of Rowena of Inverdarroch
Burnside Victoria
by Rannoch of Achnacarry
out of Burnside Glencora
Champion was Sheamus of Inverdarroch owned by Irene Grant and bred by Bruce Haliburton. Sheamus went on to be overall Horse Champion.
So...at Alyth there were 3 x ponies all by Rannoch of Achnacarry!!!
Sheamus of Inverdarroch
Sheamus.
The next week it was time to prepare for the Highland Show and I decided
to wash Rowan and Rosealie at home then at least if they did get dirty they
wouldn't need quite so much washing!...At least that was the theory!!
It is always so much work to prepare ourselves, the ponies , the dogs etc.
for the show and just trying to remember to take all the necessities is
a big enough task! We had however a great show and little Rowan excelled
herself by not only winning the Yeld Mare Ridden Class but went on to be
Reserve Female Champion....an accolade which her Granny, Julie of Lundie
won with me as a 3 year old in 1982. So it was all the more special and very
emotional.
Rowan in the Championship
at the Highland Show 2009
Photo curtesy of Sally Leslie-Melville.
Rowan amongst the prizewinners.
Next is the moment when Alvine was brought forward with her father's 3 year old filly, Tower Gypsy Meg to be Female Champion.
Female Champion belonging to James Hendrie
shown by Alvine Kerr his daughter.
Tower Gypsy Meg.
Next pic is when Rowan was brought forward to be Reserve Female Champion.
Rowan of Achnacarry
Reserve Female Champion
Royal Highland Show 2009
Rowan of Achnacarry
The next picture is of Tower Gypsy Meg and Rowan of Achnacarry Female Champion and Reserve Female Champion Highland Show 2009.
Tower Gypsy Meg &
Rowan of Achnacarry
Last picture is of myself and Rowan sprinting in triumph round the ring!!!!
Rowan and I sprinting round the ring.
Finally a few pictures of Rowan's ridden day with Lisa Allison who rides her very well for us.
The Judge..Heather Prescott on Rowan
The lineup
Rowan in the ridden.
After my success with Rowan winning her Yeld Mare Class, I still had our yearling filly to show before the overall Championship. This was only Rosealie's 2nd show and a very big one at that! However, I needent have worried because she coped with it very well and after an initial placing of 7th...I was delighted to be pulled in to our final placing of 4th out of an entry of 21 yearlings!
Here are a few pics of Rosealie.
Rosealie of Achnacarry
Rosealie of Achnacarry
Rosealie of Achnacarry
17th July 2009
Here I am at last. I have been getting a lot of "stick" from various friends for not updating the website. One of the reasons is that I always like to put up the latest pics on it too. However I thought I would update it in words only at the moment, then come back and put on the piccies. Since my last update all Rannoch's foals have now been born and I will add the piccies later. In total he left 3 x fillies and 7 colts....not very even...but never mind. All the owners seem to be pleased with their babies so that's all that matters.
We, ourselves at last had our one and only foal expected this year. A filly! She was born on 11th May 3 weeks early and for a time looked rather premature..but she has filled out now and looks more like a May foal. Since the last update, we have been at a few shows.....Fife Show being the first one with Euan and Rowan. Both were probably not quite ready coat-wise and Euan was very excited about the whole affair and found it hard to keep all four feet on the ground sometimes!! Think we got a 4th and 5th in hand there. Rowan proved herself in the ridden class where she went very nicely and managed to get a 2nd prize. Our next show was West Fife to which we took the same two. It's amazing what a week or two does as this time they both looked much better coat- wise and although Euan was still very excited he actually behaved slightly better and was even drawn in 1st to begin with. However he danced around and generally wouldn't stand still. He ended up 3rd which I think was what he deserved!! Rowan on the other hand was a joy to show as always and was shining like a new pin. She won her class and went on to be Reserve In-Hand Champion. From there she went into the overall Mountain and Moorland and although complimented on her movement by a well known person didn't go any further. However Tim and I were pleased. Next she went into the ridden class again partnered by her jockey, Lisa Allison and they both gave a good account of herself. Once again, like last year she was 2nd in her class but unlike last year stayed that way. Last year she was Reserve Ridden Champion at West Fife. On 15th May...I took our younger Schnauzer to the Scottish Kennel Club Championship show at Ingliston where she was 3rd in a good class thus qualifying for Crufts in 2010! More about that in Tiffany's Page. On 30th May, it was Drymen Show which we always enjoy showing at, but once again this year it wasn;t to be as I had agreed to judge the Highland ponies at Strathbogie Farmers Club which was held at Faraway Riding Centre. This proved to be a very relaxed day and I thoroughly enjoyed judging the ponies. Tim and I were kindly put up with B&B in Huntly and we were exceptionally well looked after there. All in all a great couple of days away. Next day we went to Gardening in Scotland held at Ingliston and we spent rather a lot of money on plants and other tempting items!! We always enjoy this outing and usually meet like-minded friends there. The month of June was spent with me grooming dogs and Tim gardening. We missed the shows held the weekend of 13th June and decided instead to ride our ponies all of which need the exercise...especially Rowan who is to be ridden at a few shows again this year. I had entered Rowan, Euan and Rosealie our yearling filly for the Royal Highland Show and out of that we decided to take Rowan and Rosealie. First of all though we had to educate Rosealie!! Although well handled through the winter she had been out in the field with the other ponies since the Spring and hadn't had any work done with her as far as trailer loading went!! We had ONE week to get her ready for Alyth Show before the BIG one!!! I am off for my supper now.....more to follow......soon I hope!!!!16 May 2009
I have added a few more new foal piccies below beside the other foals. Quite a way down this page!!
9th May 2009
As it is raining heavily we cannot ride and after drying out from walking the dogs I decided it was time to update a little.
We seemed to have been busy as usual and two weeks ago we had friends all the way from California visiting. Wendy Rowe and her friend, Lisa stayed with us for a few nights and also helped us with our Grass Sickness Ride. This happened on April 26th and we were delighted to have 31 riders along with countless helpers. This year we had opened it up to WES Members as we did last year but this year we had a good turnout of both WES and Central Scotland Highland Pony Club members so it was a super turnout. We collected £400 for Grass Sickness and hopefully once I get some photos from various friends who were on the ride I will be able to print them out on here. Unfortunately we didnt take any pony pics with our camera so the following one is one after the ride and shows people enjoying the Apres Grub!! We were grateful to all who brought home-baking and a big thank-you to all our helpers and riders.
"Yours truly" dishing out soup to all.
The weather was more or less kind to us and as usual, half of us went out on the longer ride and the other half with younger ponies or for those who just wanted to talk and walk and trot came on the other ride. As far as I know everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and so did the ponies!!
Please come again next year and contribute to this worth-while cause whilst enjoying the beautiful country-side which we are fortunate enough to be able to ride in whenever we like.The yearlings have grown quite a bit and Rosealie (Ellie) is now in with the mares and Fionnalaigh who is in foal to Glenmuir Lochaber. Unfortunately this will be our only foal as Fhuaran decided she wasn't going to have a foal this year. She is a funny mare - in that whenever we send her away to Stud with a foal at foot she invariably doesn't have a foal the next year. Midge should also have had a foal by Tarka but must have decided she wanted a rest!! Mhairi and Corrie had the late foals so we didn't put them in foal for 2009. Hence we have only Fionnalaigh's foal to look forward to. She has been waxing up for days now but as she isn't due until at least 24th May...she has a bit to go yet!! I think she will produce early though.
Below is a photo of a pregnant Fionnalaigh along with Ellie & Midge, also some of the two small boys...as we call them!!
Fionnalaigh, Ellie & Midge
Rosealie of Achnacarry (Ellie)
Ellie
Ellie
Ellie & Friends
Torry & Fergie
Fergie Striding out
Torry striding.
Finally, Rosanna, Ellie's big sister is off to Stud this week to Kestrel of Glencree and I have been told she has been covered already! I thought it wouldn't take her long...so fingers crossed for a lovely foal next year.
Rosanna of Achnacarry
One day when I was feeding the gang in April I spotted a young stag in the ponies field, and although he saw myself and the ponies he still kept grazing. I tried to take a decent pic but this was the best I could get!
Rowan & Euan & young Stag
He is often in our fields grazing. He is obviously on his own at the
moment but I hope one day to spot him with his female friend.
Below is a scene one evening when the full moon was out.....rather beautiful
I thought!
Full Moon
The other news is that so far this year, Rannoch is the proud Sire of 4 colts and two fillies. I haven't had all the pictures of all the foals and there are still some in my camera but here are three pictures of his babies.
The first two are of Burnside Glencora and her colt foal and Burnside Hannah also with a colt foal. There is 3 weeks between the foals..Cora's being the older. The third one is of Endrig Mary with her filly foal just born in the past few days.
Colt foal belonging to Ann &
Alastair Ballantyne by
Rannoch X Burnside Glencora
Colt foal belonging to Ann &
Alastair Ballantyne by
Rannoch X Burnside Hannah
Filly foal belonging to Nik
McKechnie by
Rannoch X Endrig Mary
Also piccie of Tearlach of Achnacarry by Carlung Fergus, which his owner kindly sent us.
Here is a piccie of Janet Smith's filly foal born approx. 14th May
Roses filly foal belonging to Janet & Gordon Smith
by Rannoch X Mountain Rose of Craigieloch
Kathryn Allan's colt foal
by Rannoch out of Maggie May of Millfield
Kathryn's foal again
Jennifer Allan's filly foal
by Rannoch out of Millfield Morning Mist
Jennifers foal again
"Teddy"
"Teddy"
The sun is now out and since I still have Tiffany's page to add a little to and also check the ponies before tea....I had better sign off for now!!
Until the next time........
15th April 2009
Thought I would update the site a little.
As always we seem to have been busy with lots of jobs needing done. Tim and I have managed to get out for a ride together though. We had a lovely ride last weekend for a couple of hours of Rowan and Xanthe. We were checking some of the tracks in preparation for our Annual ride which is happening on 26th April. This will be at least our 15th year and this year promises to be one of the biggest yet! I do hope the weather is kind to us as usual. The other thing I did recently was to attend another Western Clinic at Milnathort. It was very well attended and Euan was much more settled in his ride and seemed to be enjoyng himself. We practised backing up through poles and he excelled himself at his first attempt. However, after that everything went downhill and he stepped on the poles!! Xanthe was also there as a friend was horseless and they thoroughly enjoyed each other. Here are a few photographs of the day.
Euan & I trotting
Euan & I backing up through the poles
Getting there!!
Euan & I Xanthe & Gillian
Xanthe & Gillian
Xanthe & Euan
28th March 2009
Back again for more updating.
I was awful pleased with myself a couple of days ago when eventually I managed to pick up our cheery yearling filly's hind foot at long last without her trying to cow-kick me!!! All the yearlings are loosing their foal coats and there will be enough hair lying around to house all the birds' nests in Glassart Glen!! Today and yesterday it is bitterly cold and I decided to continue updating the web site in the relative warmth of our house. First of all before I go any further I would like to extend our sympathy to our friend, Ellie Douglas who lost her Mum on Tuesday 24th March after a long illness bravely bourne. Although Tim and I had only met and chatted to Ellie's Mum a handful of times we always found her to be a very positive and cheerful person, and she will be sadly missed I am sure. At the time of writing, I am aware that I MUST complete my Highland Show forms if I am intending to go and show. I must admit that for once I almost decided not to go because of the inhibitive cost of entering the ponies, our caravan, parking tickets for trailer and our friend's car. Also by the time we buy hay and then pay for our food whilst there for the 5 days I will be a lot poorer!! Perhaps because I was judging there last year, it seems worse because I only had to fork out the ridden pony's entry which was minimal. Anyway, after a lot of soul searching we have decided to go....but I don't know for how much longer. It seems such a shame but I feel it will soon be pricing itself out of the "normal" person's pocket. Anyway...hopefully once this cold spell has gone we will have foals to look forward to.....only two this year. There should have been three, but Midge decided she wanted some time off!! So....Fhuaran first at beginning of May and Fionnalaigh with her first born around beginning of June. I hope to sell the two colts from last year to good approved homes eventually. They had been booked to be castrated a week ago but had a reprieve as I had someone enquiring after them......so watch this space.............!!! Talking about colts..here are one or two pictures of our youngest one that both Tim and I are fond of. He is very eye catching in the field with stunning paces and full of his own importance! However he is a good boy to handle and lead in and out from the barn to the field. I need to work some more on his feet picking up habbits though!
Torranach with his mother & friends
Torry in full gallop first day out
Torry & "Aunty Midge"
Wendy Rowe our American friend with Mhairi
and myself with Torry
Another one of myself and Euan.
Euan of Achnacarry
The other creatures we both love are our garden birds and we often have quite an array in the garden. We have Goldfinches,blue tits, long tailed tits, coal tits,sparrows,wood-peckers,hen and cock Pheasants by the hundreds!!....Robins, Blackbirds, crows (ugh!) Magpies (horrors!), Chaffinches. In the forest we also have Jays which we see now and then. Here is a picture of our Goldfinches feeding on the Niger Seed and Peanuts.
Our Goldfinches
I think that is about all at the moment....just wishing it would hurry up and heat up a bit. Next Sunday, 5th April Euan and I are going along to Milnathort to a Western Clinic to further both our education so looking forward to that. Will probably take Rosie too for the experience in hand and to mix with other ponies. We also mean to start training the yearlings to go in to the trailer. We start by putting the trailer inside the barn and leaving the front and back doors down to enable them to walk in and out...hopefully eating up the treats we put down on the floor. Eventually they go in and out quite cheerfully.....at least that's the theory!!!
Already the first Spring shows are being planned but we will give them a miss. Our ponies' coats will not be quite ready for these early shows, but hopefully we will be at Fife Show this year...first time in a long time as it often clashes with my other love...Dog Showing.....but this year the SKC is on a different day. Other years we have missed Fife Show because of the cold Spring and our ponies' coats have just not looked right. Anyway enough of my blethers....time to sign off and go and feed ponies. Also just to add that I have added some more pictures of Torranach to the Sales list and will also add some of Fergie once the wind abates and the sun comes out. Another addition is I am sure people know that we stand our Junior Stallion at stud to approved mares only. Once again he will be available this year to a limited amount of mares so....please if you are fancying using Rannoch....do not leave it to the last minute to phone to book them in. Here is a snowy piccie of himself!!
Rannoch in the snow..Jan.2009
Until the next time............
24th March 2009
What have we been up to? Not a lot since the beginning of the year other than mucking out yearlings, grooming yearlings and teaching them to pick up their feet! Two are better than the third one who doesn't want to keep his foot up. However I am working on him. With the other two I can now pick out their front feet easily but they are still wondering how they can stand on 3 legs when it comes to their back feet!
Of course when the weather has been warmish and dry we have been trying to keep the ridden ponies reasonably exercised. Tim is doing well and has ridden both Xanthe and Rowan without any problems. I have been trying to ride Rowan to get her fit for the showing season as well as trying to ride Euan. Of course we have had a lot more snow in 2008 and at the beginning of 2009. Below is a photo of Rannoch taken from our bedroom window one snowy morning.
Rannoch
Rannoch
The next one is of myself, Brenda and Louis riding the ponies taken as always by Tim who almost always insists on a photo stop before we go out anywhere!!
Myself Louis & Brenda
23rd March 2009
Just to say I have started updating at last!!
I have updated Tiffany's page so that's a start. I have to put on a few new piccies of the two colts we have for sale and also update this page. However time to go and feed ponies etc as it is getting near that time. At least because it is so windy today it made me stay inside and start this!!!12th February 2009
Just to say we are up and running again so shall update shortly. Also have added our two colt foals that we have for sale on to our Sales Page. Once the weather improves I shall put more up to date pictures on .
3rd February 2009
Having problems again....testing!!!!
5th January 2009
Happy New Year to all our readers and many more of them.
I am trying to finish all the 2008 news so as Tim can sort out the site and get us up a new page for 2009. After the NPS show we had the Winter Fair on 22nd November and once again we took Rosanna, our 3 year old. The entries were up on last year all except our class but not to worry.....we were 1st and Rosie was a good girl so that was all that mattered. Champion was Charlie McQuattie's yearling filly and Reserve was Jimmy Hendrie's filly foal, Tower Ceilidh. Here are a couple of piccies of Rosie and one of Charlie's filly.
Rosanna of Achnacarry
by Tarka of Orangefield
out of Midge of Achnacarry
Trotting Rosie..Winter Fair
Ailsa of Strathmore
By Strathmore Concorde
Out of Iona of Strathmore
The only other thing that was interesting was, I took Euan to his first ridden Western Clinic and he excelled himself by behaving very well and he picked up things so easily. Of course I had taken him to several of these same clinics in hand and we practised with him then, so he was used to some of it. Now there will be no stopping us in 2009... at least that is the plan!! Here are some photos of him the first time we put the saddle on him and a few others of the clinic.
Euan with his western saddle
1st time
Leading Euan
Me on Board Euan
Riding in the Yard
At the Clinic
Me & Euan at the Western Clinic
That is about all our news for 2008. The last thing we did for 2008 was to wean the two oldest foals and they are now settled quite happily in the barn. They have Mhairi and her young foal for company during the night as we bring them in at night as well as the company of the other ponies who come into the barn twice a day for their hay...so the foals are not short of company which I think is important. It will give me time to handle the pair of them and practise for the shows in 2009.
Here are a few earlier photos of Fergie with Mhairi's foal..taken by my mobile phone ..so not up to our usual standard!
Fergie & Torranach..Oct 1st
Fergie
Torranach
Midge of Achnacarry
Another mobile phone piccie...this one is of our lazy filly foal sucking from her lazy mother who was lying down!! Another photo of the mares and foals and another of Fergie.
Rosealie stealing some milk!!
Mares & Foals in October 2008.
fergie
Last of all some of my favourite piccies. One of a lovely bridge on our way to Nairn Show and one of Tim in front of it also. Also some of Eros of Achnacarry who obviously has a great home and is well looked after. I have also put up a couple of his offspring, and the last one is of winter in November......
The Bridge
Tim & The Bridge
Eros of Achnacarry
by MacGregor of Achnacarry
out of Corrie Bheag of Achnacarry
Eros
An Eros baby
Eros Babies
Midge & Rosealie & Corrie
That is the end of 2008.....I think!!!
Just a few others I wanted to put on.......
This handsome chappie frequents our garden along with his four wives!! They pinch all the wee birds seed when it falls out of their feeders. We could pop him off but he has become very friendly and one of his wives was in the barn the other day...so unless a cat catches them they will be safe here!
The next photos are of Mhairi and her foal who is now 5 months old today. These photos were taken back either the end of November or beginning of December. He is a very smart foal and although I would love to keep him he will be for sale sometime but I shall keep a hold of him until he catches up with the rest unless someone wants him earlier than that. The rest of the photos are some snow scenes and of course the best ones are of Tim on Xanthe with Teal looking as usual for a titbit!! Tim is going from strength to strenght since he has had his new hips....riding..climbing ladders..and catching up with all sorts of jobs.....Great!!!!
Torranach & Mhairi
Torry
Torry
Xanthe & Tim & Teal
Xanthe & Tim & Teal
Rosie at the WES Clinic
Fergie by Rannoch out of
Fhuaran of Orangefield
Fergie will also be for sale and eventually I shall put some decent
pictures on our sales page. He is a poppet...very good natured and well
handled.
Fionnalaigh of Achnacarry
Corrie Bheag of Achnacarry
Rannoch
Rannoch
Ponies in the snow
Until the next time.........
Site developed by A Douglas 2001
© T&J Connell 2001