Baerlochan Australian Stock Horse Stud

16/11/2024

Formally introducing Eva's latest. A filly, first filly foal for Eva and a sister for Panda-Po, Sultan and Fawkes. By Cuffy, another treasure to behold. One week old taking life in her long legged strides...

11/11/2024

Horse pasture November 2024, perennial and annual grasses.

07/11/2024

Interesting

Martin Stevens with the fascinating story of a 'commercially dead' stallion who overcame the odds to be a modern great

27/10/2024

1938...

No wonder people are captivated by the Light Horse when you see images like this one.

Four members of the Light Horse at the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society's Show in Adelaide, South Australia. They won the 'Best turned out Light Horse section', in 1938.

Lest We Forget.

Photograph came from the State Library of South Australia. Image file number B 7798/630.

27/10/2024

Nap time in the nursery...

25/10/2024

The Snowman story...never fails to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Snowman (1949-1974) with the De Leyer Kids, Photo by Bill Ray

Snowman was a former plow horse, purchased on his way to the "meat market," who became a champion in show jumping in the United States during the 1950s.

Snowman originally was used for farm work and in 1956 was headed for the slaughterhouse at eight years of age. On that day, Harry de Leyer, a Long Island, New York riding instructor, attended a Pennsylvania horse auction looking for school horses. He arrived late, and the only remaining horses were the "rejects", loaded into trucks bound for the dog food and glue slaughter house.

De Leyer made eye contact with a large gray horse that he purchased for $80. He first used Snowman as a lesson horse for children. De Leyer recognized talent in the horse after he sold him to a neighbor and the horse jumped high fences to return "home." De Leyer then began training Snowman as a show jumper.

The horse began winning prestigious classes only two years after he was bought off the slaughter truck and his career lasted five years. He willingly jumped over other horses and his calm disposition made him a favorite: he once won a leadline class and an open jumper championship on the same day.

Snowman also appeared on television shows (Johnny Carson's for one, where Carson climbed on his back). He was the subject of two books, had his own fan club, and was flown abroad for "guest appearances."

De Leyer kept Snowman through his retirement until his humane euthanasia due to complications from kidney failure at the age of twenty-six.

Inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1992, Snowman has been made into a Breyer horse model, which apparently is no longer manufactured.
Snowman is the subject of the book Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts, published by Random House in 2011.

24/10/2024

Guiness in the evening light....

22/10/2024

Gingin Campdraft Club Inc. , Sunday results for Pete and Smokie

20/10/2024

The Esperance and Districts Agricultural Show is always a bit of an emotional roller coaster...provoking memories of what was, and thoughts about what could have been. But it is also a special time. Watching horses we have bred making people smile!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/TxBScowHoMVn48pX/

20/10/2024

While some of Cuffy's babies played at the Esperance and Districts Agricultural Show, Pete Smith and Smokie were kicking up dust at Gingin Campdraft Club Inc.

09/10/2024

First contacts
.Fred.

08/10/2024

...and it's Nature Strip....fleet of foot but adapting to a change of pace.

He beat the best sprinters in the world and now former racing superstar Nature Strip is facing a new challenge - as a showjumper.

05/10/2024

Ginny. Growing up and taking things in her stride...

05/10/2024

Start the day with some horse related humour!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/XA1RsfWduqMe3bjz/?mibextid=oFDknk

01/10/2024

Thank you to Welke Swans Veterinary Services for making the journey out to see Paris on Monday night. All of us, including young Fred, are extremely grateful. Colic caught early...thank goodness for our amazing vets.

01/10/2024

Sultan (Shooting the Moon - Escholar Eva)..has grown into a horse

01/10/2024