I certainly wasn't expecting to find a foal in the paddock when I arrived to feed our young stallion and his two 'old girls' at the beginning of May...! The matriarch of our property Optimistic NZPH (Fetiche du Pas x I Love You) who is currently 22 years old stopped cycling after her last foal three years ago. Disappointed with all my scanning efforts I put her on babysitting duties with our young colt Up n Go RF (Up To You x Untouchable M) working on the theory that if she got pregnant that would be great, but otherwise she would definitely be keeping him in line as an excellent babysitter. Turns out she picked the end of May last year of all timing to come into heat (not that we saw any action!) and now we are blessed with this cracking filly, Ultimate RF who I have high hopes for continuing on Zara's legacy in our breeding program. Fun fact: this is her ninth foal, with every single one being a filly!
In other exciting news our second oldest broodmare Collette (Carpaccio x Wohler II) who last foaled two years ago and has battled with poor endometriosis biopsy scores also managed to get in foal to Up n Go RF this season, due in February next year!
Unfortunately my special six year old mare Dynamic RF sustained an injury which has put her out for the winter months. In a spur of the moment decision I decided to put her in foal and she has now scanned pregnant to Dallas VDL. Very exciting for me getting my second frozen semen pregnancy! Whilst it is not ideal having a foal due in April, it was a better plan than having her sitting doing nothing while she recovers and given there is no guarantee of a full recovery this buys her more time to heal with there being no rush to get her back to ridden work. Of course our surprise baby popped out a few days after I made this decision and it made me feel better!
Pretty excited for the bunch of foals coming next season:
- Cornetto RF (Cornet's Air x Fetiche du Pas) in foal to Up n Go RF
- Athena GNZ (Cassiano x Lander) in foal to Up n Go RF
- Vive le Reve (Ramirez x Silent Hunter) in foal to Chacco Silver
- Collette (Carpaccio x Wohler II) in foal to Up n Go RF
- Dynamic RF (Daminos x Untouchable M) in foal to Dallas VDL