20/09/2026
This is a really hard post for me. Tomorow my last 2 gorgeous Rednalhgih ponies fly the coop. My last 2 homebreds. I dont know where to start . What a journey it's been. I started out nearly 25 years ago wanting to bred nice performance type ponies with some bone, great types, good rein, great brains and bravery and scope and technique to take on the biggest courses possible. WOW I sure achieved that. But along this journey somehow the bravery and old fashioned just give it go in kids hasn't kept up with the ponies. We never had the ponies of today's world when I was a kid. I would hate to think how many times as a 7 year old my 4 yr old welshy ditched me and honked off for home. But every time I got back on, I learnt to sit up more, squeeze a big stronger and keep nice contact. After I hate to think how many falls and dismounts I learnt to stay. I learnt to sit. I remember an old guy telling me once that the further you keep your heels down the more it helped keep your seat in the saddle. I still lbeli3ve this. If only more kids wanted to ride young well educated ponies I may still be breeding. Maybe. Along the way I can claim that I bred and started one of the best ponies NZ has ever seen. REDNALHGIH COWAN. Holy s**t what a pony. I made sure he went to a fabulous home after I had started him and had done a couple shows. He was a star from the very first day he was born.i have never counted up how many GP SJ wins he had but it will be up there with the very best. I was incredibly lucky to have him back here for Olivia for most of a season and we treasured every single day. BUT, loosing JIMMY at home here in a tragic tragic way was just too much for me , and since that day I haven't enjoyed my ponies in the same way. I will still watch them with pride. I have one over in England, and many here through out both islands. Last season we competed four homebred ponies. I regularly tell our girls that all the skills and lessons they have learnt here working with our ponies and all of the many many ponies for everyone else have sent them up so so well for so many other things also. Working with these ponies and seeing them do all sorts of things that most people.would never tey is just so wonderful, so fabulous to see , and such a reward.i wish more kids got to do these things and build a relationship with a young pony. Nothing beats it, they never forget you. They will remember you forever. Many times i have had my ponies call out to me when they hear my voice and for some its been many years between contacts. I will miss this. Its been a hell of a ride.
