RPSB, ASP, ARP - chestnut, 13.2hh
Sire: Wedgnock Coffee Pot (imp) x Oakvale Songster (SOD: Syon Royal Portrait imp)
On deciding to once again head into the hack arena, after spending many years showing clydesdales in-hand and in harness, the search for a suitable Riding Pony mare was on. We were looking for a pony, in excess of 13 hands, that would be competitive in-hand & under saddle as well as carrying a pedigree that would see her later became our foundation broodmare. Apart from the usual considerations my only other criteria was that she not be chestnut - after recently losing our 27 yr old chestnut pony a short time earlier I thought it time for a change.
After what seemed half a lifetime of searching my sister Rebecca (Hillview Thoroughbreds) suggested we head down to 'Royalwood Stud' as she'd heard Joanne Prestwidge had a number of yearling fillies that could well suit our requirements.
When we got there Jo unruged the finest, most elegant little chestnut filly...and the rest is history - Surprise came to live at Carlingford Park.
Since arriving Surprise has been a source of absolute pleasure for us both in the showring and in the paddock. Often referred to, tongue in cheek, as my third child she has won many in-hand awards including high placings at Sydney Royal as a yearling and a 2 year old.
Out of Oakvale Songster, a full sister to celebrated sire Oakvale Serenade, by Langtree Stud's imported stallion Wedgnock Coffee Pot (imp) Surprise has already proved her value as a broodmare having produced two exceptional fillies for us. Carlingford Park High Society, by Rothwell Toytown, has been very successful at limited outings being called forward as a finalist at the National Riding Pony Show as both a yearling and a 2 year old and qualifying for 2007 Royals (which she did not attend). She has since gone on to enjoy a successful newcomer year under saddle in 2009.
Her black filly, Carlingford Park Socialite, by Weston
Park Mahogany, was Reserve Champion Filly at the
NSW Riding Pony Show and Supreme Led Breed Exhibit
at the Hunter Valley All Breeds Show as a yearling
before placing highly at 2007 Canberra & Sydney Royals
and again in 2008 at Sydney Royal in her Riding Pony
(and other breed) classes. She thrilled us in 2009
when she joined her younger sibling in the winners
circle at Sydney Royal taking out her 3 yr old RP class.
Surprise debuted under saddle at Newcastle Show in May
2006 where she advanced from Novice through to Supreme Hack.
She returned to the ring in late August with Champion Pony Hack
at Gosford Winter Show. We then headed for a western run where
she acheived 5 out of 5 Pony Hack qualifications, being awarded
broad sashes at all but one. Along the way she also picked
up a multitude of Breed championships.
During the ensuing 12 months Surprise far exceeded our expectations in the show ring winning:
NSW EFA HOTY - Runner up Newstar Large POTY
SHC HOTY - SHC Preliminary POTY Title
Champion Led Riding Pony Exhibit at Maitland Show
Top 5 Led Breed Exhibit at Hunter Valley Twlight Show
Canberra Royal Show
1st - Led Riding Pony Mare 12.2hh ne 13.2hh
2nd - Novice Pony Hack 13hh ne 13.2hh
4th - Ridden Riding Pony 12.2hh ne 13.2hh
7th - Open Pony hack 13hh ne 13.2hh
Gresford Show
Supreme Led Exhibit and Champion Large Pony Hack
National Riding Pony Show 2007
National Champion Newcomer Ridden Riding Pony
2007 Sydney Royal Easter Show
Champion Led Mare
Supreme Champion Riding Pony Exhibit
Champion Ridden Riding Pony
1st - Novice Pony Hack 13hh ne 13.2hh
2nd - Led Aust Saddle Pony Mare or Gelding 13hh ne 14hh
4th - Open Pony Hack 13hh ne 13.2hh