Former Broodmares of Clairvale
Shelford Downs Castanette
Shelford Downs Castanette (Millfields Commodore imp x Drumconrath Woody imp) was my first Connemara Pony and also my first pony when I was a child. Having learned to ride at Shelford Downs, my parents purchased Castanette along with the gelding Shelford Downs Ardrahan. She was a wonderful first pony, taking me for long hacks, mustering, pony club and to my first shows. She began her breeding career very late, and did not go in foal for a number of seasons of trying before producing her first, Clairvale Cenedra, at 20yrs old. Castanette produced another two daughters, Celtic Cymbal and Clairvale Cuiliuir, and then retired on my parents' property until the good age of 32.
Tearna riding Castanette bareback in the paddock
Castanette and Tearna at their first show, the Stanthorpe Agricultural Show
30 years old and in retirement
Tearna riding Castanette bareback in the paddock
Shelford Downs Rana
Shelford Downs Rana (Millfields Commodore imp x Cocum Raindrop imp) was my second Connemara mare and was given to me by her owner Pam Tickler when she was no longer able to ride. Rana was a truly fantastic riding mare, and as well as hacking out and mustering, we competed at the local show together and at interschool competitions in dressage. She was sold when I left home to go to university, but eventually found her way back to me as an older mare, producing her last foal Clairvale Rhain. She is also the dam of Glenrose Roisin. After her last foal, Rana retired on my parents' property until the age of 32 years.
Rana and Tearna waiting for a class at the Stanthorpe Show in the 1980s
Rana and Tearna
The girls in retirement in Stanthorpe, 2011
Rana and Tearna waiting for a class at the Stanthorpe Show in the 1980s
Tinderry Enya
Tinderry Enya (Homevale Quantas x Garland Silver Willow) was leased to me on two occasions by Su Moore of Tinderry Stud. As I was researching for the Dusty Grey Pony books, I interviewed Su and was thrilled to see that she still had Enya, who was of interest as the only descendent of the imported stallion Tiercel Galloping Major. Also of interest is that her paternal granddam was a full-sister to the pony I learned to ride on, Chiltern Saffron imp. Enya was sent to Castle Baron and produced the filly Clairvale Eibhlin, who has been retained as a performance pony and broodmare for Clairvale. Later, she was again leased to try for another foal, but she failed to conceive. She spent most of her life as a stock pony at Tinderry, and while with us was ridden at Pony Club by Isobel. It truly was a privelage to have been given the opportunity to have Enya in our lives!
A young Enya in the lead with the Moore family and their Connemaras on a trek in the Snowy Mountains
Newly arrived in Queensland on lease from Tinderry stud
Geary's Gap Pony Club, 2013
A young Enya in the lead with the Moore family and their Connemaras on a trek in the Snowy Mountains
Bagoolie Donna
Bagoolie Donna (Doon Rocket imp x Bagoolie Margeen) was leased to me by Caroline O'Cleary at the same time that I leased Tinderry Enya. She is interesting in that she is the only breeding progeny of the imported stallion Doon Rocket in Australia. I sent her to Glenormiston Oliver, considering that both his phenotype and pedigree would suit her well, but sadly she did not conceive. She later had a gelding son for another breeder and a filly for Caroline. Donna then returned to being used as a riding pony for Caroline's grandchildren when they visit.
Bagoolie Donna in Queensland
Donna as a foal with dam Bagoolie Margeen
Isobel talking to Mollys Snowdooley (Wychwood Snowbird x Bagoolie Donna), Feb 2014
Bagoolie Donna in Queensland
Shelford Downs Peony
Shelford Downs Peony (Millfields Commodore imp x Sydserff Pussy Willow imp) was a pony that I had looked for for some time while researching for A Dusty Grey Pony. She was the only daughter of the imported mare Sydserff Pussy Willow. She was sold at the Shelford Downs dispersal sale and spent her lifetime as a ridden performance pony. Her owners gave her to me when she was retired from her saddle career, and I had planned on trying an embryo transfer with her, but sadly she sufferered heart failure after she was only with us for a few months and had to be euthanased. She was a smaller, quality mare with the sweetest temperament and I was devestated that I was unable to continue her line.
Peony in Queensland
Peony in Queensland