MERRY XMAS!

December 5, 2004 - Gloucester ASH Branch Campdraft

Gloucester ASH Branch held their annual campdraft at the picturesque Gloucester showground. The campdraft arena was in tip-top condition after having tonnes and tonnes of sand (donated by the Gloucester Campdraft Club) that was worked through to make it a good safe area to ride on. Paul rode Knights Jugaby and Silverthorn Madalyn on the day with very pleasing results. 

• In the Encouragement Draft Jugaby won the cut-out, 3rd in the Encouragement Draft, and 8th in the Maiden Draft. 

• Madalyn was placed 3rd in the Open Draft.

(Above photos courtesy of Barry McGregor Photography).

December 12, 2004 - NSW Buckskin Society National Show

Melissa Payne and her gelding Silverthorn Royal Astra had a very successful show with the following results: 

• Champion senior gelding over 14hh
• 1st gelding over 4 yrs, 14-15hh
• 1st gelding double registered over 14hh
• 1st junior dressage test 1.1
• 1st junior dressage test 2.1
• 2nd best presented gelding over 14hh
• 2nd ridden intermediate gelding over 14hh
• 2nd ridden open gelding over 14hh
• 4th junior handler 12-15yrs. 

Well done Melissa - Congratulations on a great result.

In November Melissa also reported success at the Zone 24 Pony Club annual jamboree at Morriset Showground with 1st handler/presentation (13yrs), 2nd 1.1 unofficial dressage test, 2nd rider (13yrs), 4th pony club mount, 5th bare saddle. Her team of four were the champion mounted games team for the Zone.

November 28 - County of Cumberland Branch ASH Show - Judges, M Agland, H Eslick and R Robb.

Held at Penrith Showground in extreme heat but with very good competition. County of Cumberland Branch members put on an excellent programme for a one day show with three rings going all day.

We had a good day with Knights Jugaby and Silverthorn My girl with the following results:

• Knights Jugaby, 1st in led stalliion 4yrs and over, over 15hh; 1st in the 4 year old maturity; 1st in the open working, 1st in the utility class, and champion ridden.
• Silverthorn My Girl, 2nd in the 2 year old filly class, 2nd in a huge line-up of two-year-old colts, fillies and geldings in the 2 year old futurity; 2nd in the snaffle bit hack 3yrs and under, 2nd in the working - 3yrs and under, and 2nd in the utility - 3yrs and under with a final result of reserve champion ridden three years and under. A great result for a two year old.

November 20, 2004 - Bulahdelah Show - judged by Mr G Idstein

A good attendance in the Australian Stock Horse ring - disappointing though to travel so far for so few classes. Bulahdelah Show Committee could attract so many more ASH people if they improved and updated their programme.

This being said, it was still a very good show for us with three Silverthorn champions and a reserve champion on the day. Results are as follows:

• Silverthorn Country Music won her yearling filly class and then on to Champion Yearling ASH.
• Bob Murray's Silverthorn Springfield was second to Silverthorn Country Music in the yearling filly class and ultimately Reserve Champion Yearling ASH.
• Silverthorn Cooee Bob Murray's two-year-old colt won his class, led stallion 2yrs and under 4yrs and then on to Champion Led Stallion.
• Silverthorn My Girl first in her led mare 2yrs and under 4 yrs and on to Champion Led Mare. Girl then took out first place in the open mare hack.
• Knights Jugaby placed second in the stallion hack and then first in the stallion working. (No championship in the ASH working classes).

(Above photo courtesy of Barry McGregor Photography).

Silverthorn Sniper has been sold from our Young Stock For Sale page and we are looking forward to seeing him out and about in the near future.

November 12, 2004 - Dungog Show - judged by Mr Neville Holz

Dungog Show put on a really good programme for the Australian Stock Horses and although it was a Friday, it was very well attended with a huge number of entries.

Silverthorn horses' performances were as follows:

• Silverthorn Cooee, the two-year-old colt owned by Mr Bob Murray was placed a good second in his led colt 2 years and under 4 years class.

Silverthorn Cooee, 2nd in led colt 2yrs and under 4 yrs.

• Our Silverthorn Country Music was placed second to Silverthorn Springfield owned by Bob Murray in the yearling filly class.

Above, 2nd in the yearling filly class, Silverthorn Country Music with Paul. Right: Silverthorn Springfield, 1st in led yearling filly.

• Silverthorn My Girl placed first in her led filly 2 years and under 4 years in a large class of fillies and then went on to take out champion mare/filly. In the novice hack in a class of about 25 this two-year-old filly was placed third.

Silverthorn My Girl, 1st in led filly 2yrs and under 4yrs, champion mare/filly; 3rd in novice hack.

• Knights Jugaby was second place in both the stallion hack and in the working stallion.

Knights Jugaby, 2nd in stallion hack, 2nd in stallion working.

April Docherty on Silverthorn Moonlight.

November 8, 2004 - Dressage at Bulahdelah

Just for a change, we took Jugaby to a dressage day held by Buladelah Dressage Club where Mrs Carolyn Murphy competed in 2 Preliminary tests for 2nd and 3rd, and placed 6th in a Novice test. This followed his placings of 2nd and 3rd in Preliminary dressage at Taree Show (9th October). This is a very creditable performance for just starting in a new discipline. 

It's always nice to get feedback on how our horses are going and what they are doing. Lately we have heard from Melissa Payne with her horse Silverthorn Royal Astra. Melissa is a member of the Matcham Valley Pony Club on the Central Coast of NSW, and recently won Champion in the 13 years age group at an interclub day with "Louie" and also at Pittwater House Interschool Competition.