April 2011 Swimming must be helping as Toman gained 73.33% in his latest test and a FIRST award with lots of lovely comments from the judge. 2011 Toman kept himself amused over the early part of the year with dressage. Kate combines his training with trips to the gallops and the local swimming baths. He has now progressed to fourteen lengths and really enjoys it March 2011 (Click thumbnails to enlarge.) Marmooq (Aja Shakakhan x YA Menika) our four year old gelding has been sent to HurstparK Arabians in Somerset to be backed and brought on quietly by Ceri Phipps-Hewlett. He seems to be progressing well. (Click thumbnail to enlarge.) December 2010 Tragically, thru a freak accident Veruchka lost her precious Master Design daughter MD Vienna. This has been a very difficult time, losing any horse is tragic, but one so young takes time to recover. Pabichka (Pobeditel x Perspektiva) was backed and is being brought on slowly. (Click thumbnail to enlarge.) 22nd June 2010 Veruchka (Marcipan x Verbochka) produced a STUNNING foal by Master Design (Versace x Bea Society Belle) - we look forward to seeing her in the showring in 2011. (Click thumbnails to enlarge). 15th June 2010 Wales and West – Basra (Piligrim (SU) x Baigora) our very special mare not only gained a 3rd in the Novice Ridden Mares in the morning but went on to compete in hand during the afternoon and although a little tired she showed everyone how versatile she is – dual purpose horse. Kate and Basra are gaining in confidence this year and having lots of fun. (Click thumbnail to enlarge). 22nd June 2010 Dressage Championships – We had a fabulous day at the Dressage Championships with Toman (Grand (SU) x Baigora), although quite an eye opener!!! Yes, we were the only Arab and only stallion, but we hope we didn't let the breed down. The classes were quite big, 22 forward in the Prelim, but we warmed up doing P4 and he did well (although Tom does think he knows best!!!) and came 3rd so...we thought on track. Next was the Prelim Championship (P15) - again 22 forward - this time in the main arena and of course the big white boards with column letters and two silly people sitting at a table to one end!!! Again he gave a lovely test and got 6th!!!, lovely comments from the judge - who seemed to appreciate his qualities. (Click thumbnail to enlarge). Final test was Novice 22 Championship - another HUGE class full of top class Trak Warm bloods and just one chestnut Arab Stallion. We thought he'd pulled all the stops out and completed a really good test - he worked his little socks off but alas the judge was not an Arab fan. 12th June 2010 Classic Show, Cheshire – Basra (Piligrim (SU) x Baigora) we decided to give the ridden a miss and travelled up during the morning to compete in hand. Large class of lovely horses and we were delighted with a 4th and being the highest placed amateur – another fun day. 10th July 2010 North Staffs Summer Show – Basra (Piligrim (SU) x Baigora) achieved another ‘double award’ – 2nd in the Novice Ridden and 3rd In Hand – again highest placed amateur. 2010 Toman is the proud father of a lovely chestnut filly (bred and owned by Elizabeth White) out of her Rusleem mare Hanan. We are so thrilled that he is producing consistent quality offspring, who should be capable of all disciplines in future years. (Click thumbnails to enlarge). 25th April 2010 Midland Spring Show – Basra – 3rd Novice Ridden Mares in morning and 2nd In Hand mares in afternoon plus RESERVE CHAMPION. MOST DEFINITELY A VERY SPECIAL WONDERHORSE!!!!!! 17th April 2010 Wessex Spring Show – Basra – 5th in a mixed Novice class of Mares and Geldings 4th April 2010 First show of the season – North Staffs Spring – Basra – achieved a 3rd in Novice Ridden Mares in the morning and a 1st In Hand in the afternoon – trotting the whole arena with Kate keeping up!! (Click thumbnails to enlarge). 21st March 2010 Dressage at Hartpury – Toman continued to hold it all together and gained a FIRST in NOVICE 27 with 67.14% winning by more than FIVE whole points. Just two months now until the Championships. February 2010 We are delighted to announce that Vasili (Toman x Verbochka) our 2 year old gelding is heading northwards to Rhona and Alex Munro in Scotland. The pleasure of breeding such wonderful horses is that they find such caring and wonderful homes. We wish Rhona and Alex much happiness and success with Vasili. What a treasure he is, walked happily onto the box stood quietly eating his haylage whilst we “chatted” and set off on his long journey to his new home. (Click thumbnails to enlarge the pictures). January 2010 Snow eventually arrived at Auchmillan – we all had so much fun, especially the horses. (Click the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures). The only downside was that we had heavy rain just before the snow, which froze the sand ménage. This made it extremely hard to work the horses. So we took the decision to have Combi-Ride in to add a fibrous additive to the existing arena which has made it much more “horse friendly”. There is definitely a “spring” to the surface now and horses and riders are very happy!!! November/December 09 Toman has qualified for the South West dressage championships at Hartpury in May 2010 in both the Prelim and Novice sections – he really is coming along nicely with Kate and they are both having so much fun. September 09 – The UK Gold ‘C’ Arabian horse Show Veruchka (Marcipan (RU) x Verbochka (RU)) our homebred 4 year old mare was 2nd in a very strong class of barren mares and became Res Res Champion Mare – our grateful thanks go to Kim and Rhod Jones who showed her with care and compassion. (Click thumbnail to enlarge the picture). Sept 2009 We are delighted to announce that AZIM IBN ALIDAAR (Alidaar x Dorian Sha Halima by Ansata Ibn Halima) will stand at stud in 2010 at the very generous stud fee of: £400 plus VAT if booked (with deposit) by December 09 £500 plus VAT thereafter. Our most grateful thanks to his owner Mrs Sandra Mills for allowing him to stay with us and give breeders the chance of using this lovely stallion Sept 6th 2009 British Arabian Championships Basra – 6th Open Ridden Mares Basra and Toman will now concentrate on their Dressage over winter. Sept 5th 2009 British Amateur Home Produced Arabian Championships Basra – 1st In Hand Mares Basra - Overall In Hand Champion Basra - 1st Ridden Mares Aug 20th 2009 After a short illness we sadly lost our beautiful Arab broodmare YA Menika (Menes x Markitanka) her colt foal is being looked after by Perspektiva (Piligrim x Polinezia) along with her own foal – she’s even letting him suckle!!! (Click thumbnails to enlarge the pictures). July 30th 2009 British Nationals at Malvern – Basra - 8th Junior Novice Ridden Mares Veruchka (Marcipan (SU) x Verbochka (SU) – 7th In hand Junior Mares July 20th 2009 Vasili (Toman x Verbochka) was 1st Arab 1, 2 & 3 yr olds at Royal Welsh Show July 4th 2009 Basra - 6th Novice Ridden Mares at The Classic Show June 21st 2009 Basra - 2nd In Hand Mares and 1st Ridden Arabs at Three Counties Show June 20th 2009 Basra and Toman attended The Sports Arabian Trakehner Event at Warwickshire College both achieving highest placed Arabian in dressage and sports ridden classes. May 24th 2009 Vasili (Toman x Verbochka) was 2nd Yearling colts and Reserve, Reserve Jnr Male Champion at North West Arab Show – Toman’s first offspring to be shown!!!! May 16th 2009 Basra achieved a 3rd in hand at Wales and West show, shown by Kate May 3rd 2009 Basra achieved a 5th in Novice Ridden Mares at Midland Spring Show, ridden by daughter Kate April 12th 2009 Basra shown by daughter Kate achieved a 3rd in hand at N. Staffs Spring Show and qualified for the BAHPAC In Hand Championships April 28th 2009 THIRTY SIX days late!!! To Bikr bint Sihraj (Magic Ivory x Raqisa) a chestnut FILLY by Toman Basra (Piligrim (SU) x Baigora) our six year old Russian mare was broken by Kate in July 08 and has been brought on slowly over the winter. They will be competing for their first year together in Novice Ridden Mares and In Hand in 2009. April 8th 2009 Not to be outdone at 11pm to Perspektiva (Piligrim (SU) x Polinezia) a grey colt by Toman April 8th 2009 At 5am to YA Menika (Menes x Markitanka) a chestnut colt by Toman January 2009 We have decided to retire Toman from the Ridden Show Circuit – in four years he has achieved everything we ever dreamt of being the most consistent Ridden Champion in recent years. We now feel it is time for him to have “quality” time at home. Toman is now in the capable hands of my daughter enjoying doing a little dressage and having fun!!!