18.6.11
CHAMPION and RESERVE plus TWO Horse of the Year Show TICKETS!
Huge entries at the Three Counties Show made us rather apprehensive but we need not have worried as our Jack did it again winning a huge HOYS class for Mares and Geldings gaining his SECOND HOYS ticket and went on to be champion.Because Jack has already qualified the ticket was passed to second place so congratulations to Eileen Yaxley and her lovely black pinto mare.  However the most enjoyable win came in the class after-The HOYS Youngstock class (28 entries) where our beautiful moving  homebred yearling colt DRAGONARA YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was chosen as the class winner and gained his 2011 HOYS ticket-he then went on to be reserve champion alongside our Jack. Fairy was not disgraced either as she was 5th in the same huge class. Claudia can now concentrate on showing Fairy and Rusty to hopefully gain their HOYS tickets too as she does show the horses so much better than I do without doubt! Just another thank you to Sarah and Ad for their much needed help. Sarah I think the red rosette that Dandy won must be partly yours for the distance you walked him to get him settled!-thank you.

12.6.11
ZEALSHOUSE BLACK JACK SUPREME CHAMPION
 plus 5 x RIHS 2012 QUALIFICATIONS
An EXCEEDINGLY WET blustery day was had at the SSHA show but a very
successful one.  We gained seven first prizes, three seconds, one third plus one reserve championship, two championships and an overall supreme champion
 miniature, two trophies and a supreme rug. 
All with four horses under two judges. BUT we were SO WET-words cannot describe
as it started raining at 9.30 am and did not stop until it was dark!

2.6.11
ZEALSHOUSE BLACK JACK GETS HIS  2011 HORSE OF THE YEAR TICKET
Our georgeous jet black superstar 'Jack' current 'Horse of the Year Show Champion' as consistent as ever qualified yesterday for HOYS at his second attempt (2nd at Royal Windsor-the first 2011 qualifier). Stafford County is our local show being just 17 miles away and is ALWAYS our lucky HOYS collecting show. We have gained at least one and very often two HOYS tickets here ever since they were introduced at this good venue. Our other horses were not placed but we were WELL happy with one HOYS ticket. thank you Jack! Thank you too to Sarah and Ad for being so helpful-taking four needs extra help and these two were great!

1.6.11 OUR NEW FOAL GETS A NAME AT LAST
This years incredible foal gets a name at last. Claudia is going to call him 'Ace' at home because she thinks he is! But his registered name is going to be DRAGONARA A RUMBLE OF THUNDER-taking the Rumble part from his sire Hailstone Ready To Rumble. Although a rich chestnut he now has a dark grey mane and a very pale grey/white undercoat so is definately going to be grey. I really do NOT think this foal is going to be for sale although we do not usually keep colts but we are having such a great showing season with his yearling full brother that we cannot wait to get him in the ring!

29.5.11
'BOYS' HAVE A SUCCESSFUL DAY OUT- - 3 firsts and both the champion and reserve championships
The two boys had a day out today at The NPS area 29 show at the lovely David Broome Event Centre in Gwent Wales.
The boys won all their classes with Zealshouse Black Jack taking the ROYAL INTERNATIONAL championship
and home bred yearling Dragonara Yankee Doodle Dandy taking the reserve.
Jack has now qualified for The Champion of the Champions at the BMHS Breed Show in September.
Judge Mr Martin Davies said 'both of these are beautifully moving horses that really move freely from the shoulder,
this movement is so often lacking in Miniature Horses'.
 
All our horses are Royal International bound now.
And finally a  big thank you to friend Sarah who lent a much needed hand today as I was left to do the showing
on my own as Claudia was attending another event (non horsey)

23.4.11
NEW FOAL ARRIVES. Claudia delivered her first foal last night at 9.45pm. We were in the local Indian restaurant!
Yes it's ANOTHER colt
(we have NEVER had a filly) but oh what a stunning foal this one really is! Small, exceptionally beautiful head
and very leggy and refined-a real beauty.Definately one to be kept.
Born at just 320 days and the whole process from early stages of labour, delivery and expelling the afterbirth
was all over in about 20 minutes.
Macey gives you NO warning at all. Last years colt was born within 20 minutes of Macey being turned out in the field
at 322 days gestation.
The colt although a beautiful shade of golden chestnut may well turn grey (Chocolate dapple dam/grey dun sire)
or something else unusual.
 
He is fit and well and was standing in less than 5 minutes and suckling just after. 
I think his stable name must be Tikka as that is what I was eating when Claudia phoned to say
she was delivering her first foal.
She wanted to photograph the whole process but Macey never gave her the time.
If this little colt turns out anything like his yearling brother who is making quite a name for himself in the show ring 
taking first place in 3 out of 4 of his first classes already we shall be well pleased.
Well done Claudia and boyfriend Ad and of course Macey and Rusty!
His new page and photos will be up soon.

9.4.11
VERY SUCCESSFUL BMHS BREED SHOW. 5 firsts,reserve champion and reserve supreme of show.
-3 more RIHS qualifiers.We took all four of our show horses for 2011. 
First outing of the new season for some and the second for others.
All four horses won their classes and our homebred colt Dandy won two and a reserve championship.
New yearling filly Fairy delighted her breeder who watched her win and qualify
for the Royal International Horse Show at her first attempt but missed her gain
 her reserve supreme of show award. For pictures visit our 2011 show results page.

3.4.11
UK AMHS SHOW-SUCCESSFUL RING DEBUT FOR DRAGONARA YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.
First show for our homebred flamboyant moving steel grey yearling colt.
A first place in the mixed yearlings and 2 year old Junior Colt class.
He was not very good at standing up for the judge so we have some work to do before the
BMHS BREED SPRING SHOW- however AMHA carded judge from Australia Amie Anderson
said "it would not matter how this colt stood up he would still have won the class, he's lovely".
Not quite sure about judges here in the UK taking this point of view so he will be worked on this week.

15.3.11
2011 SHOW BABIES CLIPPED. Our homebred grey yearling colt and grulla yearling pinto filly have been cliped today
now the weather has improved.
Really like what I can see now. Little show prep needed they look just great-all that hard feed has paid off.
Need to clip Jack and Rusty during the next week or two.

14.3.11
MOONSTAR WHISPER WISHES moved to her new home today.I could not wish for a nicer home for her.
Victoria is very pleased with her and she has settled in with all her other mini friends beautifully.

21.1.11
NEW AMERICAN PINTO FILLY YEARLING FILLY ARRIVES
We are absolutely delighted to take delivery of this absolutely exquisite little pinto filly.
She is incredibly pretty and oh so feminine .
I have just clipped her head-she still has her nice warm foal coat underneath-
so essential in this bitterley cold weather we are having.
 We only clip out a week before our first show.

1.12.10
ZEALSHOUSE BLACK JACK FEATURED in 'ALL HORSE' Magazine
We were contacted by this publication who asked if we could give them a little information about Jack
and his recent HOYS success. The magazine will be out on December 1st -we will have to see what
they have written as often what you say gets totally changed.

27.11.10 - 28.11.10
"LOVE PETS" 2 day SHOW AT EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND-Jack to attend as 'Mini Horse Ambassador'.
Yet another CELEBRITY PERFORMANCE for Zealshouse Black Jack. JP Promotions contacted us to see if Jack could 'meet and greet' their expected 25,000 visitors over the two days and act as an ambassador for
The Miniature Horse being the 2010 'Miniature Horse of the Year'. We have been asked to prepare for
'loads of kisses and cuddles and hundreds of flash photographs! "Will he mind" the organisers asked- not in the least
-he is getting really used to all these appearances!
The show's website can be visited by clicking the link below.

21.11.10
BRITISH NATIONAL FOAL OF THE YEAR SHOW

        Dragonara Yankee Doodle Dandy (Dandy) attended this prestigious show.

There were no Miniature Horse Foal dedicated classes so he was entered in the Home bred and produced

foal class 12.2 and under.He was of course the smallest in the class but performed really well to impress

 judge Mrs Lee who placed him 2nd in a very well supported class.

 Mrs Lee said " what an amazing litle mover in a tiny package".

This was a real education for him as he travelled in the horse box without mum this time

and was no bother whatsoever -in fact I took him out on my own as everybody was busy.

 Dandy is by now EXTREMELY hairy (as all foals should be) and as the BNFOYS

 forbid any clipping of foals whatsoever even heads

(Late on Miniature Horse Show Secretaries take note) Dandy resembled a moving doormat!

2.1.11
AMHA 2 year old SHOW FILLY OFFERED FOR SALE.  TOP CLASS FILLY with HOYS qualifying success. EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL HEAD with flamboyant movement and EXTREME ARABIAN FEATURES.  Great pedigree and will be a valuable brood mare later. ALL REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED from VERY CARING KNOWLEDGEABLE HOMES ONLY. Must sell due to impending VERY large vets bill!!  SOLD to a lovely caring home.

6.10.10
ZEALSHOUSE BLACK JACK MAKES A DREAM COME TRUE FOR CLAUDIA
HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 2010 MINIATURE HORSE CHAMPION

8.10.10
JACK MAKES HIS ITV TELEVISION DEBUT
Claudia was contacted by ITV and invited to bring Jack to the studios to appear on the Alan Titchmarsh Show after he was spotted at The Horse of the Year Show winning his championship. Jack was really well behaved and only three 'deposits' on stage during rehearsals and live show. Jack took his celebrity appearance all in his stride appearing alongside Lord Sugar,Brendon Cole (Strictly Come Dancing) Jane Mc Donald and the group 'Scouting For Girls' to name but a few. The ITV script writers became a little 'creative' and thought it good to give Jack a price tag of £25,000!!! In your dreams Jack!!
It was a very enjoyable day out for them both and I think all the staff at the studios had their photo with him! With the exception of 'Lottie' our guide for the day who said she would rather have Johnny Dep any day. A big thank you to Lee and Lottie for your hospitality.

7.05.09 OUR STALLION HAS BMHS STUD BOOK APPROVAL
Hailstone Ready To Rumble (Rusty) had his application for admission to The British Miniature Horse Society's stud book approved today.
As all our mares are both AMHA and BMHS dual registered this is VERY useful and means resulting foals will be dual registered too.
This will also mean that he can continue his show career as a 3yr old competing for places at
 The Horse of the Year Show and Royal International finals.

9.05.09
RUSTY COVERS HIS FIRST MARE
Hailstone Ready to Rumble covers his first mare. Rusty pasture bred our 32" Chocolate Dapple AMHA mare
Mainestar Miss Macey today for the first time. She has taught him manners and told him that biting is not allowed!
They now get on fine! He had no trouble and performed like a true proffesional.
She is a maiden mare so it will be extremely interesting to see the result of this mating presuming he gets her in foal.

10.05.09
RUSTY COVERS HIS SECOND MARE
Rusty gets his second girlfriend. Rusty covered Kerswell Monique our little 30" bay AMHA registered mare who was determined
not to be left out. 'Definately getting the hang of this now' Rusty appears to say.
Will now let him run with both mares during the day in our 'conservatory paddock' which is right next to the house,
this way we can view the proceedings and keep accurate records.Rusty will only cover these two mares this year.

16.05.09
DRAGONARA INDIAN SUMMER QUALIFIES RIHS AT FIRST ATTEMPT
Indi a chestnut 2yr old colt by Zealshouse Black Jack attends his first Royal International Horse Show qualifier with his new owner. 'Indi' won his class and was reserve Champion. Well done Danielle and Indi. This very pretty colt is obviously destined to follow in his half brothers DRAGONARA SWALLOWS WYNDFLYTE successful footsteps.

28.05.09
LOOKING GLASS FABUELLA & HAILSTONE READY TO RUMBLE WIN THE FIRST OT THE HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW QUALIFIERS for 2009.
First of the hotly contested Horse of the Year Show qualifiers of 2009 at Stafford County Show. We had a fabulous result taking not one but two of the HOYS tickets on offer. Fabuella as usual won her qualifying class (6 classes this year to date and won all 6)and Rusty our new junior stallion performed beautifully to win the large HOYS youngstock qualifying class-his first attempt at qualifying.Another super achievement for this very eyecatching little American colt. Claudia showed both of the horses to perfection. We will now take Jack out to qualifiers to see what he can do-he has a very good track record at HOYS qualifying every year as a yearling, two year old and three year old and has always been in the first three at the finals.He was not shown as a four and five year old but will try again this year now that he has been gelded and has developed common sense!

30.05.09
BRITISH MINIATURE HORSE SOCIETY REGISTRATION
Recieved Rusty's BMHS registration papers this morning. Now fully registered with BMHS and AMHA.

4th October 2009
HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW
Rusty (Hailstone Ready To Rumble)our little superstar 2yr old grey AMHA colt did us all proud at The 2009 Horse Of The Year Show by coming second in the mixed youngstock class. As usual he was beautifully behaved even in the huge International Arena in the Championship. Both Ella and Rusty were very professionally shown by Claudia now aged 20. His breeders Steven and Alison Johnson travelled down from Northallerton to watch him.
Claudia is well used to the electric atmosphere at HOYS in fact her first visit to HOYS with a Miniature Horse was when she was 10 showing a very lively Ella!Our horses have qualified every year since-we have qualified a total of eight different horses for HOYS and most of them qualified on several occasions-we love this show.

October 2009
MONIQUE LEAVES TO A NEW HOME
Sadly after three years of trying to get Monique in foal and using a total of 5 stallions we have come to the decision that Monique is not going to breed any more lovely foals for us. We have really loved having her here for the last 5 years.
So at 15 years of age Monique now lives with our good friend Sarah Ridgway in Stafford along with shire Sam and miniature shetland Solly. She is totally spoilt which is lovely and will live out her days with Sarah.

18.12.09
THREE NEW MINIATURE HORSES JOIN DRAGONARA
Three new little minis join us from the Moonstar Stud (see links page). Two little boys "Smokey" and "Patch" and a little girl "Whisper". They will shortly appear on Our Horses link with pages of their own.Very pleased with this little trio and a big thank you to Hazel for letting me have your babies-they will do you proud in the show ring. Look out for pictures coming soon.
 
STOP PRESS-The two little boys are sadly now for sale-I cannot keep this many colts especially as this years foal is also a colt. Whisper has had a very successful show season qualifying for HOYS at her first attempt. These two little boys could easily follow in her footsteps in the right home. For sale DUE TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN and because I want to choose where they go the prices for them are very negotiable. They will be very useful to add refinement, action and colour. If interested give me a ring 07855 506727 or email . Updated photos on their own pages coming very soon.

1.1.2010
SHOWS AND EVENTS FOR MINIATURE HORSES for 2010 season COMPLETE LIST
New for 2010 I have decided to complile a complete list of the above in date order and with attached web links to make life easier deciding where to exhibit. Please help me keep this up to date by clicking on the link to inform me of new shows and events.
COMING SOON DETAILS OF SEMINAR/TRAINING ETC in the Midlands led by TRAINERS/PRODUCERS FROM THE USA-Keep checking my shows and events page.
 

23.1.2010  
RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN MINIATURE HORSE ASSOCIATION NATIONAL HIGH POINT AWARDS for 2009
Yet again our Horses do us proud-results are as follows:-
 
National Champion SENIOR MARE-Looking Glass Fabuella
 
National Champion AMHA TWO YEAR OLD FILLY-Hailstone Beyond Redemption
 
National ChampionTWO YEAR OLD COLT- Hailstone Ready To Rumble
 
National Champion SENIOR GELDING - Zealshouse Black Jack
 
Well done minis we are very proud of you and love you to bits! Looking forward to another very successful 2010 with our 'old timers' and our new additions.
 

1.5.2010
NEW FOAL ARRIVES
12.15am Macey has her foal in full view of our house and without warning. A lovely little colt foal with his dam's markings. a very poorly start but fine now. Visit him on his own page-live shortly

3.6.2010
TWO HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW QUALIFICATIONS AT FIRST ATTEMPT
Staffordshire County Show our local 'lucky' show proved to be lucky again. Yet again , just as last year and several times before that, we took two out of the three HOYS tickets on offer. Moonstar Wisper Wishes our flamboyant yearling filly made her debut in the ring winning the youngstock class and was second in her 'warm up' Foreign Bloodlines class. Looking Glass Fabuella as usual won her Mare/Gelding class and was reserve champion and our stallion Hailstone Ready To Rumble nearly made it the treble but was 2nd in his class (sadly not to repeat his win here last year along with Ella). The 'girls' do not need to attend qualifiers now so it will be the 'boys' turn now! Jack  (Zealshouse Black Jack) our very lively jet black gelding will be back on the show circuit after two years virtually unshown and will accompany Rusty to our next qualifier.
HOYS YOUNGSTOCK-Moonstar Wisper Wishes QUALIFIED
HOYS MARE & GELDING Looking Glass Fabuella QUALIFIED

1.8.2010
ALL BREEDS MINIATURE HORSE SHOW- HAILSTONE READY TO RUMBLE HAS A BRILLIANT DAY along with his son DRAGONARA YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
Very tired from our day at Hickstead the previous day we made the journey to The All Breeds Show just North of Doncaster. The main purpose of our day was to show this years super foal Dragonara Yankee Doodle Dandy. Both Claudia and I really like showing mares and foals and sadly there is little opportunity to do this. Dandy behaved like a star winning his class under a Dutch AMHA judge who said 'this colt will have an exceptionally bright future in the ring for you'. Later in the day Dandy was reserve supreme foal of 2010. Ella won her RIHS qualifying class for 2011 and so did Rusty (Hailstone Ready to Rumble). Rusty then went on to be Reserve Supreme Junior Champion, Reserve Supreme Grand Champion and then 2nd Reserve best in show. We were very pleased with him as always but even more pleased with his son Dandy! like father-like son! Dandy really enjoyed his debut in the ring and floated across the ring with his sash without a care for 'mum'. We only entered four classes so our supreme championship results were even more pleasing.

2.8.2010
JACK GOES INTO HARNESS
Jack (Zealshouse Black Jack) has been restarted to commence his driving education. He is exceptionally easy even though he is very flamboyant in attitude and movement. Yesterday we arrived at the stage of putting our Jerald exercise cart to him. He took it all in his stride. In a couple of days Claudia will get into the cart and away she should go. We cannot wait to get him into the ring although we will not risk him damaging our Jerald show cart until he is totally relaxed and driving fluently and confidently.
Watch this space. For more pictures visit Jack's page in a couple of days (as it is undergoing a rebuild!)

7.8.2010
OUR THIRD MINIATURE QUALIFIES FOR HOYS at his second attempt.
Our beautiful black gelding Jack attended his second Horse of the Year Show qualifier. In a large class of quality horses at Brecon County show Jack once again stood at the top of the line and this time stayed there! Jack loves attending shows and really he has been totally wasted over the last two years. We had considered putting him up for sale but sorry all of you who were interested in him -he is here to stay now and will be both showing and performing (driving , jumping and halter obstacle) frequently.
        His first attempt at qualifying was at Thames Valley a couple of weeks ago where he stood top of the line but was sadly dropped to third place but we were still delighted with him after two years of showing 'dormancy'.
        It took just three weeks conditioning to get him in shape to contend qualifiers as he is naturally refined and can live a normal life out in the field during the day-no sweating or food deprevation required here-I don't believe in it! The work paid off!
        Jack has an extremely successful record at HOYS having a second and two thirds and only being unplaced the once in his four visits to HOYS. Well done Jack-you are a stunning little boy!

27.8.2010
TWO MORE RIHS QUALIFIERS for 2011
A VERY WET trip to Monmouth Show resulted in two more qualifications. One for Ella and one for Jack.
 

28.8.2010
MACEY SCANNED IN FOALTO RUSTY for 2011 FOAL
Macey went to our local Veterinary Equine Clinic today and was scanned in foal to Hailstone Ready To Rumble. We are SO pleased with this cross this year that a repeat covering was a definate choice. She was only covered just the once so well done Rusty!