2005 was an exciting year for us with the arrival of five lovely foals - more than we usually have. Three arrived in April. Tilliwhillie had a black (to turn grey) filly which we have named Tula then Gamhna also had a black (turning grey) colt - Ghillie Dhu, followed within 24 hours with Texa's dark yellow dun colt, Torridon. The weather was very wet at that time so all three foals were well handled with coming inside each night. The other two foals arrived in May. Ealasaid had a mouse dun filly, Elise (named after Lotus Elise as she was a fast and nippy foal!) Ghlinne produced a filly too, Gaillin - a grey dun. The five foals are by Carrick Raasay and have inherited his wonderful temperament. We are very pleased with the quality of all the foals. Just before Christmas Donna Finch purchased Elise and she travelled south to Suffolk, surprisingly only 20 miles away from her sire Raasay!
Meanwhile, we had an enjoyable showing season with the ponies. At the Royal Highland Show Taransay and Tilliwhillie won the St. Johns Wells Championship for the best two Mountain and Moorland Ponies by the same Sire.
A week later, Taransay won the Highland championship at our debut outing at the Royal Show, Stoneleigh, which was a great thrill. She had a busy July winning NPS Silver Medal Ridden Championships at both Cumberland County and Ardoch Agricultural (Braco) Show and was In-Hand Champion at Border Union and went on to be Reserve Supreme M&M that day. She finished the season at Blair winning her Ridden Highland class and coming Reserve Champion, the following day she won her class in the Olympia Qualifier and again coming Reserve Champion - so close!! Thereafter, her shoes were taken off and she has had several months rest.
Tarskavaig accompanied his mother to some of the shows. He won his novice ridden M&M class at Ardoch and was Reserve Champion. He then won in hand and was Reserve Champion at Hexham Native Pony Show. He started competing in WHP classes and shows promise.
We also showed Teaninich at both Border Union and Cumberland County in Young Stock classes - she was consistently second in both.
For a bit of fun over the winter, I have been doing some Affiliated dressage with Rummlegairie and he is beginning to collect points. Kirstin rode him at the Hexham Native Pony ODE in September where he won the dressage (50+ ponies were entered!!) He was fourth x-country and was fourth overall. He really enjoys jumping providing there are no black water trays!
Now that 2006 has begun, we are looking forward to our next crop of foals. Texa and Gamhna have been covered by Rummlegairie, Tilliwhillie and Teal have been covered by Anne Mitchell's Dunedin Marksman (a full brother to May Rose and Megan who have done so well this year) Ealasaid was AI'd to Country Marksman who is a skewbald Irish Draught/Thoroughbred.......watch this space!!!