Below is a list of the foundation mares of the stud, some of whose progeny can be found detailed in the present mares and youngstock sections of the site.
Hillymead Lullaby
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Molly was purchased as a yearling in 1998 from her breeder Lynn Martin, and was the start of the Woodbank stud. By the succesful stallion Tiercel Top Cat and ex Hayselden Lucina by Haseldon Bacchus, she was a good combination of show and performance lines. She was ridden at home and on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and went on to be a wonderful broodmare, producing five filly foals by four different sires. Her daughters Madrigal, Chorus and Solo, by Heather's Dino, Fly the Last Flute and Kingstown Charlie respectively have been retained. We lost her, tragically, together with her sixth foal, another filly.
Sydserff Silver Maple II
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Maple joined the stud through the kindness of Eileen and Tommy Simpson, after a visit to Sydserff to see Kirtling Brigadoon, the sire of so many succesful ponies. Maple, by Brigadoon, was sent down at the age of 14 to visit Bodenpark Finnard and came on to us in foal to him. She had six foals, one colt and one filly each to three different sires, before we lost her to a heart attack a week after foaling at the age of twenty. Her colt foal, Woodbank Silver Star was reared as an orphan. Woodbank Silver Cirrus, by Finnard, is a member of the present broodmare band.
Cheviot Brambling
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Flake came originally on loan from our friend Ros as Hugh's Pony Club pony - and stayed! Once her competitive days were over she was given to us by Ros and turned to breeding, having three foals, the last of which Woodbank Smokey Sam is proving to be a very useful WHP for his new owners. She was the kindest of ponies and a wonderful character, much missed by ponies and people alike when we lost her to the dreaded melanomas at twenty.
Estray Bobby's Girl
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Bobby came to Woodbank as a "last chance" project. She had passed through several homes, and although she had landed on her feet with Trish Lucy, her previous treatment had resulted in her being impossible to break in, and very aggresive with other ponies.In addition, she had lost her part-bred foal at birth; not a promising start. She was a delight to handle, and ran with Bodenpark Kilbrew, foalng without difficulty the following year. She subsequenty had two more foals to Heather's Dino, includng a filly for Clare Chambers whilst on loan to her. Bobby was retired eventually to a day- centre for adults with learning difficulties and endeared herself to many students there with her quiet charm.
Bodenpark Snowgoose
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Another of Eileen Simpson's kindnesses to the stud, Snowgoose came on loan as a broodmare descendant of Errisbeg Rose, who has had such an influence on the breed. She was not the easiest of ponies to get in foal but produced Woodbank Swallow to Finnard just before he returned to Ireland, and Woodbank Swift to Pilgrims Excaliber. She was ultimately put down in her twenties due to persistent arthritis.
