Touchwood Stud Diary

February 2010

I write this having just returned from the UK Stallion Expo at Keysoe. Laura and I went along to man our trade stand, and it was great to catch up with so many people. What was slightly disappointing was the smaller than expected visitor numbers. We really need to start publicising UK stallions and supporting the enormous quality and talent we have in this country. Equally, mare owners need to recognise the importance of seeing stallions in the flesh to enable them to properly match them to their mares. Too many choices are made based on fashion, with little regard given to how the mare and stallion compliment each other and what they will produce. I always encourage people to come and see our boys at the stud, and equally, any outside stallions I use on my mares, I always make sure I go and see them myself.

Other than the Expo, we have been busy out competing with Vagebont. He is going to his first BE event in April, so has been out and about to local competitions in preparation, showing himself off well, jumping clear in every jumping round he has done, and producing beautifully obedient tests at Abbey Dressage. This horse really does have the most wonderful attitude which makes him a pleasure to work with.

Classic Jollian also left for his new home at the beginning of the month. We were of course very sad to see him go, but his new owners are besotted with him, and he will eventually end up going Showjumping. That means all of our 2009 foals are now sold, although El Legacy remains here with us as we have retained a share in him.

The remainder of our time has been taken up with getting everything ready for the forthcoming stud season. Our new dummy mare area has just been completed as I type, and the brand new stocks have been concreted in. New CCTV has also gone in, so we really are pretty much ready to go with the first foal due in the first week of April…..more on the technicalities of foal watch in the next issue!

This issue a special thanks must go to our staff, friends and family. Dave was involved in a car crash last week and ended up in hospital with a broken sternum. Thankfully he is on the mend, although it will be a few weeks before he is able to do any ‘heavy’ work, so it’s all hands on deck keeping things running smoothly!