Cob Jockey

There aren't too many Foal Fridays left! At this point I believe all or nearly all of the babies have been spoken for, and some have already left to their new homes.

One of the things I love about Lisa's breeding program is that she gets the babies out to this show every year. While they're still with their moms, they get all kinds of new experiences, like getting on the trailer, walking and trotting in hand, getting bathed and standing patiently for excessive amounts of grooming. I really do think it's a huge reason that Connor has always been so weirdly good at shows.

Me holding The Duke of Castleberry (Simon) for his new owner Sarah, while Hayley holds mom Hawkshill-Castleberrys Rosina. For the zillionth time, thanks SO much to Leah for all of these photos!

Castleberrys Rey Skywalker following mom North Star Rebecca

Rey

Rey

Simon

The crew! It takes a lot of handlers to show moms and babies, especially since they both have to be in the ring at the same time if either one of the pair is being shown in a particular class

Disco, Disco's mom Dyma Hi (pronounced DIH-ma Hee), Simon and Rey

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Lisa's breeding mentor, who was consistently in the top 10 of USEF jumper breeders for several years in the last decade, gave her the opportunity to acquire a couple of nice Belgian Warmblood broodmares last year. One of those mares is Olivia B, by Arko III.

It takes a village to get movement videos of these babies sometimes, lol

Olivia B was bred to Castleberrys Ffafr ap Cuhlwch last year for a 2021 baby, who is just something else.

I would say he is comfortable shifting his weight over his hind end, yes.

He turned out a lot more delicate and graceful than I think any of us anticipated. "Casually athletic" is a good descriptor for him. He's so agile and light on his feet, and I haven't seen him get fussed over anything yet.

Mary is just absolutely in love with him. She kept going on about his hip and depth of stifle and how he's going to be able to jump the moon. She's not quite ready to get a horse of her own yet, but she's thrilled that Olivia is only 7 and has many good baby producing years ahead of her yet.

He's spoken for but unnamed as of yet. His name needs to start with an 'O' like his mom's, and suggestions are welcome! O names are hard, and if we don't use them on him, we may use them on Olivia babies in the future.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Castleberrys Anna Rose was the first foal to be born this year, and she happens to be a half-sister of Aeres (out of the same dam, Athanasia). Athanasia has had a couple of issues with her pregnancies in the past, so this year they pulled out the veterinary Hail Mary to make sure baby Anna Rose arrived safe and sound, and she did.

Hence the name. This filly feels like a miracle.

First up, mom, Castleberrys Athanasia (Gwnfaes Culhwch x Bannockburn Belle)

And dad, Castleberrys Debonair (Castleberrys ReFflection x Castleberrys Dyma Hi), who is a half-brother to Disco and now resides in Canada:

Shown here age 4 last summer

Anna Rose is the sweetest, daintiest little thing. I don't mean to say she's not stout, she'll turn into a big bodied Cobby girl like her momma, but everything about her is just sweet and delicate right now.

From a Welsh Cob perspective, she is hard to fault, IMO

"Hello puppy!"

 

Aeres' mom, Athanasia, the Queen

Anna Rose is spoken for, and I can't wait to see her grow up!

I am shamelessly stealing Amanda's Foal Friday format because who couldn't use more baby horses in their lives? So far, Lisa has three babies on the ground with four mares left to go, and they are all CUTE blingy chestnuts so far.

This week, something happened that has never happened before, and it's especially bloggable: one of the mares foaled in broad daylight! AND Lisa happened to have guests around to take what ended up being some truly remarkable photos.

First up, pics of mom (who happens to be Connor's full sister) Castleberrys Dyma Hi (*Tuscani Dundee x *Bwlchllan Bessie by Derwen Desert Express).

And dad, Castleberrys Reno (Castleberrys ReFflection x Castleberrys Rosalee by *Tuscani Dundee).

A few years ago as a 3 year old

This is just one of the coolest pictures EVER! You can really see Connor and Dyma Hi's sire in Dyma Hi's face here, I think.

"Hello, world!"

I like the shadow puppet on his face