Hillcrest Highland Ponies

17/03/2025

No more hats.......no more hats!!!

15/03/2025

Happy Sunday peeps :)

15/03/2025

Now I know in training 'Once is a one off' but I'm still very pleased with how Master Bannock took his first lunging lesson. He had a few moments of 'can I be a dick?' but I interrupted the thought and repeated my instruction and away he went, when he wasn't sure he gave me a look, I repeated the instruction and away he went. Love Highland Ponies 😍🦄🦄
Plus practicing 'wait' is never time wasted ;)

09/03/2025

Things are getting a bit rammy round here 😂

08/03/2025

So lucky to have a man that can......and will! 😍 Summer fencing is not the easiest especially with second hand posts!

07/03/2025

Not the easiest picture to take lol! It went much smoother than it looks :) We'll be going round the block in no time.

04/03/2025

The little guys can :)

Marion Mould (formerly Coakes) and her remarkable pony Stroller are celebrated as one of the most iconic pairs in the history of show jumping. Standing at just 14.2 hands high—more akin to a pony than a full-sized horse—Stroller overcame the odds by competing at the highest levels against much larger competitors, showcasing that determination and skill can surpass physical constraints.

A Pony with a Champion’s Spirit
Stroller, a cross between a Thoroughbred and a Connemara, was born in 1950 and was initially meant for eventing. However, his extraordinary jumping talent made him a natural fit for show jumping. With British rider Marion Coakes (who later became Mould) as his partner, Stroller quickly established himself as a formidable contender on the international show jumping stage.

Historic Milestones
The pinnacle of Marion and Stroller’s achievements occurred in 1968 when they earned an individual silver medal at the Mexico City Olympics—the first and only time a pony has ever medaled in Olympic show jumping. Competing against larger and more powerful horses, Stroller showcased remarkable agility, precision, and courage, securing his legacy in the world of equestrian sports.

Some of their other significant victories include:

The Hickstead Derby (1967) – They made history as the first female rider and pony duo to win this esteemed event.
The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1965, 1971) – A major championship win that further solidified their dominance.
1970 World Championships – They achieved a commendable fourth place, once again going head-to-head with full-sized horses.

An Unbreakable Bond
The partnership between Stroller and Marion was truly special, founded on trust and deep understanding. His smaller size required him to exert extra effort to clear the towering jumps, yet his technique and spirit never faltered. Marion, recognized for her light yet effective riding style, perfectly complemented Stroller’s daring jumps.

A Lasting Legacy
Stroller enjoyed a successful competitive career well into his twenties before he decided to retire. He lived a remarkable life, reaching the age of 36 before his passing in 1986. His legacy continues to inspire, demonstrating that greatness in equestrian sports knows no size limits.

Marion Mould, now retired from the competitive scene, is still highly regarded in the equestrian community. Her bond with Stroller is one of the most cherished tales in show jumping history, illustrating that with perseverance, skill, and passion, anything can be achieved.

02/03/2025

Ohhhhh Ernie 😍😍😍😍💪💪🔥🔥🔥

27/02/2025

🌱 Protecting the future, one breed at a time! 🧬

The RBST Gene Bank is expanding, securing rare and native breed genetics to ensure a strong, diverse future for British livestock. Thanks to ongoing efforts, we’re safeguarding the heritage of our countryside.

🔗 Read the latest update: https://www.rbst.org.uk/news/rbst-gene-bank-update

26/02/2025

24/02/2025

Super important.....every horse owner should be TESTING before treating! We are very lucky to have a great team at Worm-Ed here in NZ that not only make it super easy but affordable too!!!

Thanks to all of you who participated in our moxidectin Spring check. We tested a massive 450 horses over the campaign using a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT).
This test is the cornerstone for assessing how well wormers are working on your farm or whether resistance is emerging.

We take 1 sample prior to worming, administer the wormer and then take a 2nd sample 10 to 14 days after treatment to compare to the 1st. The 2nd sample should show a reduction of 99% in egg count (for moxidectin)if it is still performing well.
We were SO pleased with the results across the board as you all were too!!!
Only 21 horses registered a positive count at the 2nd check.
Two really important points that were raised:

🪱 On follow up with horses that registered a positive count at the 2nd sample the vast majority of owners reported that theses horses SPAT SOME OF THEIR DOSE OUT or reported they were most likely UNDERDOSED. This highlights how important it is to dose to correct weight. Weight tapes are an easy way of assessing this.

🪱 Secondly it is important to note the first test is used to check the "shedder status" of the horse. Whether they have high, moderate or low counts. This helps us recommend their treatments for the year and is assessing the HORSE. The 2nd test is assessing tHe WORMER. We have had lots of owners concerned when they receive reminders gor treatments as their last recorded count was zero but it's important to remember the 2nd test is not for worming recommendations. We appreciate this can be confusing when looking at your portal results and will make this more obvious in the portal layout 👍🏼

Performing a FECRT is now best practice every year or two on farm to assess products are working well. Book us out for a chat if you'd like peace of mind for your farm 🙂

21/02/2025

Anyone who thinks or says chunky ponies (Highlands or Gypsy Cobs or otherwise) are ' lazy, slow, clumsy' etc etc are doing it wrong! This wee man was a machine this morning. He WANTED to move, he kept up a working trot for nearly half the ride (8km block) with canters and walks between, making me earn my keep!
With great North Canterbury views and a drop in girth size to boot, fab morning 😍 Westfield Stud

21/02/2025

Oh man! Dear lotto win!