Kingstown Charlie
and, below, his son
Woodbank Barney
NEWS
July 2020
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Well, this "Covid year" has been very strange indeed so far, with no doubt some time to go yet before we have any idea what the new normal may be. Best just to carry on.
We have loaned Woodbank Millie to a home in Radnorshire for riding out and she is a great success and favourite, becoming fitter and enjoying being out on the hills.
We have also loaned Woodbank Bounty on breeding terms to a home in the South of England. She had never left home before or been in a trailer or horse box but, despite having to get into a high-sided stall next to a very noisy neighbour, she went in with no hesitation and the transporter phoned to say he had never had a first-timer like her. Our ponies do do us proud. She came in season and was put in with the stallion and we have had pictures of them sleeping peacefully side by side, so we hope to hear she is in foal.
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Sydserff Camellia has foaled an outstanding colt, Woodbank Campion, to Kingstown Charlie. He should go on to be an absolute show-stopper in any company and moves as if he owns the world. We have bred some lovely foals but "Basil" looks to be in a class of his own (picture below). He has a temperament to match and will be sold to an approved home where he can reach his full potential and can be booked and kept until weaning. We prefer to wean late.
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January 2020
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STUD REDUCTION
Time keeps flying past and, very sadly, we have had to decide that pony numbers must be reduced, so we are looking for special homes for some equally special ponies. It would be good to see the ponies going on to have the sort of show success that Woodbank Silver Sol and Woodbank Smokey Sam have had but lovely, permanent, non-show homes are fine too. Do contact us if you are interested. We have some seriously show quality ponies of lovely temperament and various ages - including Barney, broodmares and youngstock.
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February 2017
Stallion update:
Kingstown Charlie will be standing at home at the Woodbank Stud for the 2017 season and Gentle Match (Hal) will be staying with Fran Tyler at the Riversdale Stud for 2017. Hal produced ten lovely foals for Fran in 2016 and most of the mares are back in foal to him for this year, 2017.
Other news:
Sydserff Camellia produced a filly - her first foal (Woodbank Clematis) - to Charlie last year (2016). 'Clemmie' has made a delightful yearling, with the wonderful temperament of both her parents.
Bounty and Chorus were covered by Charlie last year and are, we hope, both in foal.
Woodbank Silver Cirrus has remained on loan near Carlisle but her daughter, Silver Sierra, by Charlie, has returned home. Sierra was awarded exremely high marks in her Filly Inspection last year and is now a very promising 3 year old.
Woodbank Silver Delta, also by Charlie, found a new home last year in Shropshire and has settled in well, proving to be an excellent ridden pony for her new owner.
Woodbank Solo, also Charlie's daughter, was started under saddle by Kath Miller and was as kind and amenable as Charlie's two other daughters have been.
Woodbank Swallow is on loan and is excelling at show-jumping. Her technique has been greatly praised by her trainer.
Woodbank Barney, now three and owned by Edenwood Stud, is awaiting his stallion inspection.
Woodbank Smokey Sam qualified for HOYS again in 2016.
February 2016
We have nearly finished testing the breeding ponies for the HWSD gene and so far all have tested Negative/Negative. This is very encouraging from the point of view of the two stallions, Kingstown Charlie and Gentle Match as they can be used on any mare because they will produce N/N foals from N/N mares and no more than a carrier if the foals inherit the HWSD gene from a carrier mare. Any mating to a N/N stallion CANNOT produce a foal affected clinically by HWSD. We recommend most strongly, however, that ALL mares to be covered by any stallion should be HWSD tested. Further information about HWSD can be found on the BCPS and CPBS websites and we are happy to answer any questions.
July 2015
Just a footnote to the March news. Our retired livery pony died last year very suddenly at a grand old age and, for that and various other reasons, we find ourselves with more than enough keep. If anyone would like to discuss terms and conditions for one or more Connemaras (preferably) to come and live out with ours please get in touch.
Woodbank Smokey Sam, with Steph Wheway, has qualified for RIHS and HOYS this year.
March 2015
2014 was unfortunately dominated by illness (human) so everything else has been at a halt.
Gentle Match (Hal) has gone down to the Riversdale Stud wnere he will be standing this year.
Kingstown Charlie, whose stock, pure and part-bred, are doing very well and include Woodbank Barney, a really outstanding yearling who is available to a breeding/showing home. Two of Charlie's mares may be for sale.
Woodbank Chorus is hoped to be in foal to Charlie and is due in early June, fingers crossed for her in the meantime.
Sydserff Camellia has joined us on loan to be covered, also by Charlie. She is a lovely mare in all ways and seems very happy as a member of the herd.
Woodbank Smokey Sam went to Olympia with Steph Wheway and has continued his winning ways.
Woodbank Silver Cirrus is on loan to a friend in Cumbria and had a filly, Woodbank Silver Sierra, by Kingstown Charlie in 2014.
Woodbank Swallow is being broken by a friend in Worcestershire with a view to a ridden career.
June 2014
Woodbank Martin has found a lovely home and 'moves house' before the end of the month. We wish him and his new owner every success and much fun together.
Woodbank Silver Sol has continued to excel, qualifying for RIHS (Windsor 2014), being Junior pairs Dressage Champion at the British Riding Club Championships and being placed in the BSPS Winter Championship finals. He has now been sold as his rider has outgrown him.
Steph Wheway continues to have great success with Woodbank Smokey Sam, including winning the Picton at the NCPA Derbyshire Festival Spring Show 2014 and qualifying for the NPS Peasedown.
STOP PRESS: Sam has just qualified for the RIHS.
Due to a change in family circumstances, there will now be more ponies for sale/loan than expected. Please contact for further information.
May 2014
Ballyconneely Beauty has produced a very athletic grey colt foal, Woodbank Barney, to Kingstown Charlie.
January 2014:
Congratulations to Sandra Burton and Fly the Last Flute on winning the BSPS Heritage Mountain and Moorland Championship at Olympia in December. It's wonderful to see yet another Connemara competing and winning at the highest level. Unfortunately Fly the Last Flute has left only two sons (including Woodbank Smokey Sam) and two daughters, namely Woodbank Chorus (out of Hillymead Lullaby) and Walstead Viola (out of Hillymead Timpani, who quite by chance is Lullaby's full sister).
October 2013
Congratulations to Holly King and Woodbank Silver Sol for winning the Junior Section of the Royal Windsor Show Dressage Qualifier, the first of the Winter Championship Qualifiers, at Norton Heath, Area 8.
