In a joint effort to help with the improvement and numbers of the Section B welsh ponies in the North Island, one of Hollybank Stud’s imported stallions, Imperial Messiah, has made the long trip up to Auckland where he will be on lease to Fleur Kern for the next three years. He will also be available to outside mares during this time.

For the 10th year in succession Hollybank Stud’s resident stallion Nawarrah Park Lady’s Man has won the Gunthwaite Trophy for the NZWPCS Section B Sire Ratings. Lady’s Man has held this award continuously since 2012, with there being two years of no competitions during covid in 2020/2021. This year he was represented by 4 progeny, Hollybank Crusader, Hollybank Wee Whisper, Hollybank Justin Time and Cedar Park Regal Man.  Homebred stallion Hollybank Antonio also finished 3rd in this competition, his first year of being represented by progeny at ratings shows.

Hollybank Wee Whisper (Nawarrah Park Lady’s Man x Karanga Windchime) owned and shown by Phillip Peter and Caroline Jack, has had a cracking show 2023/24 show season. A Royal Champion and Best Purebred Welsh Exhibit at the Marlborough Royal Show. Champion Section B Mare/Stallion at the South Island All Welsh Show. Champion Section B Adult and Supreme Section B at the Canterbury Welsh Show. Champion Section B Adult and Runner-up Supreme Purebred Welsh Exhibit at the Southland Welsh Show. Hollybank Stud congratulates Whisper, and Phil and Caroline for their many successes.

Hollybank Masterclass (Hollybank Antonio x Amaranda Moondance) made his debut in the show ring as a yearling in November 2023. First up was the Marlborough Royal Show in Blenheim where he was sashed Royal Champion Welsh Youngstock, next the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch where he was Reserve Champion Welsh Youngstock, and the highlight of the season being at the South Island All Welsh Show in December where he was awarded Champion Welsh Youngstock under judge Michael Gates from Australia and then went on to receive Runner-up Supreme Purebred Welsh Exhibit.

From George Howe, Nawarrah Park Stud  Excited for the newest member of Nawarrah Park Welsh Ponies, Cobs and Connemara Stud show team, Hollybank Chantilly (Imp NZ), after only a few weeks preparation, attended her first show under saddle, winning her Ridden B Mare and Reserve Champion Ridden B at the Victorian All Welsh Show. Megan Howe did a wonderful job riding and showing her. Tilly is very special to us, being out of Nawarrah Park Camilla (NP Lady’s Man x NP Carisma) and sired by Imperial Messiah. She was also second in the Led Newcomer and Led Senior Mare. Carmen Harrison and Dawn Elliott, you should be very proud of Tilly!

After attending the NZ Welsh Pony & Cob Society AGM in Palmerston North, Nawarrah Park Lady’s Man has again been awarded the Gunthwaite Trophy for the Section B Sire Ratings. This is the 9th consecutive year he has won this, scoring points from three of his progeny, Hollybank Crusader, Hollybank Justin Time and Hollybank Moonshadow. Pictured (top) Nawarrah Park Lady’s Man, (bottom left to right) Hollybank Crusader, Hollybank Justin Time and Hollybank Moonshadow.

A very exciting day out at the 2023 Canterbury All Breeds Foal Show for Hollybank Stud. Showing just the one foal, Hollybank River of Dreams (Imperial Messiah x Imperial Revue) “Matilda” was awarded Champion Section B Welsh Foal, Supreme Purebred Welsh Foal and then went on to win the Supreme All Breeds Foal Award.

In April 2023 it was very exciting to be visited by Rob Grant and Kylie Hickman from Bamborough Stud in Australia. Having purchased and imported two Bamborough weanling fillies over 10 years ago, and visiting Bamborough Stud again many times since, it was really special to be able show Rob and Kylie where their fillies had ended up, and also for them to see the many offspring of those fillies that have helped to shape Hollybank Stud. Pictured (top) Rob and Kylie with Hollybank Pandora (daughter of Bamborough Pick’n’Mix), Kylie with Hollybank Riverdance, and Rob with Bamborough Alexia.

A special show for Canterbury in 2023 with it being their 40th Anniversary Show. On a typically hot, dry Canterbury day, Hollybank Stud attended with two ponies and scored a lucky double under judge Anthony Dean from Australia. Hollybank Riviera (Lemonshill Top Note x Imperial Revue) was awarded Champion Section B Adult and Hollybank Santa Maria (Lemonshill Falcon x Skibbereen Serenity) was awarded Champion Section B Youngstock, with Santa Maria going on to take out Supreme Section B Exhihit.  Pictured (top and bottom left) Hollybank Santa Maria, and (bottom right) Hollybank Riviera.