Welcome to Kristamoor Lodge Shetland Pony Stud
People from the world of Western horses often ask me what I'm doing breeding Shetland Ponies. Not surprising really, as I competed, trained and bred Quarter Horses and Appaloosa's for more than 30 years before establishing Kristamoor LodgeShetland Pony Stud in 1993.
From Western Pleasure and Performance to Shetlands might seem to be a contradiction, but to me, this has been far from the case.
Like many children, I began riding on a black Shetland called Wilbur. Totally undisciplined and a spoilt family pet, Wilbur made the perfect muse for a Thalwell pony, taking every opportunity to get me off his back, using any means at his disposal. It was a school of hard knocks (literally), but my enthusiasm never dimmed. Fortunately my second pony, also a Blach Shetland, could not have been more different.
Bobby was everything a Shetland Pony should be, and I had several wonderful years riding hill and dale with the dog and my mates, doing pony club and discovering the world on the back of a pony.
I'm not a little person, standing at 6", so my time riding ponies was limited and before long I had started on Quarter Horses. It was not until I had children of my own that I had the excuse to bring these fabulous ponies back into my life.
Both my son and daughter started on Shetties, and like me before them, they had many great times both in and out of the showring. These versatile ponies took my kids from turnout to eventing, pony club and to the Royal Show.
All through this time I was competing seriously, so it made sense for my childrent o bring their ponies to Western events and compete in the junior classes. Sadly, this is no longer permitted, but back in the early 1980's, there was a few kids who got out there and did Western on their Shetland Ponies.
Managing competing at a big show with small children isn't easy at the best of times, but you see, I had Quarter Horses whose temperaments were impeccable. In choosing Shetlands for my children I had also chosen a breed for them upon whose temperament I knew I could rely. I could safely leave my kids at an early age with their ponies, while I did a class. I doubt that any other two breeds, I could have managed this feat.
So when people express surprise at my move from Quarter Horses at Shetland POnies, I tell them that they aren't so very different. Both breeds have rock solid temperaments with very little spook or meanness.
When I started Kristamoor Lodge, I had a very clear vision right from the beginning, and this has become the breeding philosophy that we continue to breed to today. We breed quality, true to type ponies with temperaments suited to children and adults, under saddle and harness.
I'd been given a great gift in having a Quater Horse mare named Fighting Squaw, who for me was that one horse that if a person, if really lucky, they find once in a lifetime. Now at 30 years of age, Squaw remains the great equine love of my life.
In the early 1990's Squaw began to suffer from arthritis, and though I was competing a string of horse, I knew that when Squaw had to be retired, much of my passion for riding would go. That's when I decided to start Kristamoor Lodge.
We were in Shepparton at the time and I begun a search of nearby studs, resulting in the first mare I purchased, Otway View Heather from Woodview Stud.
The next few years were spent showing her, getting a feel for what was out there and the type of pony we wanted to produce. In 1998 we relocated to Clunes, and shortly after arriving, I was to have an experience that would make everything clear.
I was invited to Pentland Stud in Ballarat, and had the pleasure of meeting Betty and Gill Myers. On their kitchen walls were numerous photos of ponies they's owned and bred for over more than years. Amoung them was a photo of a stallion that took my breath away. It was Green Valley Sunny, and he was everything I liked most in Shetlands all wrapped into one.
Using blood lines from Green Valley Sunny, through his son Spring Park Sonny 2nd, I set about about trying to recreate that perfect pony. Ten years later, I feel we are close to achieving that goal.
We have our own homebread stallion, Kristamoor Lodge Quest of Time, who last season produced his third crop. Quest's babies are beginning to take their place in the showring and we are very excited about his future as a sire.
Bloodlines and type alone however, have never been our goal, as ultimately our ponies are being bred for children to ride, drive, compete and simply enjoy. Temperament therefore, is even more important than type.
I now work as a professional carer in an aged care hostel. To the delight of the residents, I regularly take ponies inside the hostel, into the loungerooms, bedrooms and living areas of residents. Our ponies seem to love the experience as much as the residents. who are often overwhelmed with the experience of being able to pat a pony in their own home.
Kristamoor ponies are also out and about, providing joy to numerous children, precisely what they are bred for.
The past 15 years have been quite a journey. We haven't reached our destination as yet, but isn't getting there all the fun?
