Home - January 2007 News
January 07
January saw the birth of the very first Australian foal sired by Ragtime Oro Blanco, via frozen semen, right here at Wilga Park, and he is everything we could hope for.
Wilga Park Madagascar
'Madagascar' is the name of the Golden Cane Palm, and it suits this young colt very well. He is a very deep golden buckskin (though you would be forgiven for thinking he is a bay) with two white hind socks (just like his Grand-sire on his Dam's side, Wawayanda WatchOut) and a half-moon crescent on his forehead. The photo below was taken at three weeks of age and he is shaping up to be something quite special.
Wilga Park Madagascar - Sired by Ragtime Oro Blanco
At an early guess, he will finish at least 15hh with a very easy flowing movement. He has a gentle, inquisitive nature and loves to play and show off when we go into the paddock. He certainly has that 'Look at Me' quality that a lot of Morgans have. He is superbly put together.
Maddie at 3 weeks of age
The older 'kids', WP Summer Beauty and WP Golden Ash are getting used to sharing their paddock with the new boy on the block. Below is a photo of the first time we put Madagascar and Marrella into the paddock with them. Madagascar was cantering around enjoying this big open space and they just stood and watched in wonder.
Summer Beauty & Golden Ash - Sired by RanchBoss Cortez
Ash and Summer,who are like Siamese twins now, don't mind sharing the paddock with Madagascar. In the photo above they were about 8 weeks old and fascinated with the new kid on the block. Summer will be tested for the cream gene as her colour is even lighter than Maddie's, and we know he cannot be anything else but buckskin as Ragtime Oro Blanco has had to pass on one of his two cream genes.
Wilga Park Golden Ash
Super Cool Ash! He loves everyone and just hangs out quietly with anyone in the paddock, hoping for a scratch and cuddle. He certainly has the laid-back, sensible nature we had hoped for when we put Cortez to Red Bluff Paprika. He is pretty special in the looks department as well.
Baillie Melano - Ash's first jockey!
Wilga Park Summer Beauty
Summer is a very gentle lady with the sweetest nature anyone could wish for. She is also beginning to shed her first coat, so looking not quite as 'well-dressed' as she'd like. This filly will mature around 15hh, I believe, and has the style and looks to take her to the top. She will certainly be a horse that everyone will notice. If she has inherited just half the talent of her Sire, RanchBoss Cortez, and her Dam, Eagleview Skybeau, she will be an amazing animal.
Wilga Park Summer Beauty
Haymeron Park Ruby Jane
During January, our pure Morgan filly, Haymeron Park Ruby Jane (RJ to us), purchased from Jo & Rick Hayes as a 4 month old, came of age (3 years) and she was sent to be started. After just two weeks under saddle, I rode RJ out on the trail with 4 other riders including Greg on Cortez, Jane on Opal, Tammie on RM and Linda Shore, our horse starter and Instructor, on her huge warmblood.
RJ and the other green broke Morgan, RM, led the pack with total confidence. She behaved like a well seasoned, mature horse. We cantered along with the others and she didn't once think of speeding up or becoming excited with the freedom of the trail. I was amazed at just how well this young mare handled everything. There was no reaction whatsoever when we passed a huge piggery with loudly squealing pigs.
I can't recommend this breed highly enough for those who want a sensible, no-nonsense horse with heaps of intelligence.
Haymeron Park Ruby Jane
RJ will go to her first Dressage competiton in April. This elegant filly has impressed Linda Shore more than any other Morgan she has started. Linda loves her freedom of movement and her willingness to learn. She is quite amazed at just how quickly all our Morgans learn, but RJ has 'taken the cake'. I look forward to watching this young filly mature and progress in the Dressage arena. Our intention, when we first purchased her, was to have her as a Western horse, but she has grown into such a stylish mare, we think she is more suited for the Dressage/Hack arena. She certainly has the talent to do either discipline.
Kathy on RJ - just two weeks under saddle
RanchBoss Cortez & Greg ready for their Trail Ride
MORE NEWS ITEMS IN OUR ARCHIVES:
December 2006
December has been a wonderful month for us. Our first two RanchBoss Cortez foals have been born! Read More
October 2006
October sure was an exciting, if not hectic, month for us. The Sunshine Coast Dressage Championships, Queensland State Dressage Championships, South Queensland Dilute Championships and the Allora Championships, and maybe just one little trail ride! Read More
September 2006
Gold Coast Centerary Show. Huge three-day event...what a milestone for RanchBoss Cortez!
We were invited by one of the Assistant Ring Masters of the Gold Coast Show to take Cortez to the Centenary Show. The invitation came after she had judged him at a Dressage Competition. We decided to take up the invitation and were so very pleased that we did. Read More
August 2006
RanchBoss Cortez - Colour Genetics: EE Aa nCr
We felt it was important to have Cortez's colour genetics in certificate form, for those interested in colour. We sent hair samples to the States for testing for three factors - Red/Black, Agouti and Cream. Read More
Preparation for the Breeding Season
With the breeding season soon upon us, we decided we should have Cortez collected for testing in differing extenders for shipping chilled semen. The results were impressive. Read More
May 2006
Toowoomba Regional Championships and the Stallion Parade
We recently had the Regional Dressage Championships here in Toowoomba and...nah!!...no first ribbons or prizes, but what a great weekend we had. It was exhausting and exhilarating. We were running on adrenalin as we rushed from one deadline to the next. The highlights of the weekend for us were Mt Tawonga Natasha in her Novice Freestyle and RanchBoss Cortez's impact on the audience in the Stallion Parade. Read More
April 2006
RanchBoss Cortez and his start in Dressage
Since arriving in Australia and being released from Quarantine on 22 December 2005, RanchBoss Cortez has settled in well and has begun to make his mark in Dressage Circles. Read More