Our News (Click on images for a larger view)
OCTOBER 2009
A lot has happened over the past few months.
Lake Manchester ride secured another win for Donna and Fargo and an overall 100% completion for Weismann Endurance with the three girls getting through as well.
Then came Sparkler and an another 100% completion.
JULY 2009
Tim and Jo get married!
Tim and Jo held their wedding over a weekend at Braeside - half way between
Warwick and Stanthorpe. They booked the entire property, comprising of 1400 acres
with a magnificent homestead and two cottages.
Snow was predicted but instead a perfect, cloud free winter's day developed.
With just a few surprised guests, they managed to
achieve exactly what they hoped for -
a secret, simple, beautiful day at their favourite place - Braeside.
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JUNE 2009
Australian FEI National Championship
What
a weekend! Rain at Imbil on the eve of the ride made for some very
muddy and slippery conditions. Donna and Hirstglen Fargo competed in
the FEI*** 160km and Tim on Hirstglen Zanadu rode the FEI** 120km.
Both got off to a great start - the rain stopped, the fog came in and the day cleared, eventually becoming quite hot.
Donna
and Fargo were well placed until the 4th leg where Fargo lost a shoe.
They still managed 4th place in the event behind Linda Meredith,
Matthew Sample and Brook Sample. The competition between these four is
fierce but friendly as they all show incredible sportsmanship and respect for one another.
Tim
and Zanadu were also traveling well until the last leg when 13kms from
base, Zanadu slid and fell over on a downhill slope. She slowly got back on
her feet, had lost a shoe and Tim was injured. They slowly arrived back
at base but still completed the ride in 12th place.
There
was a third Hirstglen horse at the ride - Hirstglen Maybe. Competing in
the FEI*** 160km with his junior rider/owner/trainer Jamie Green, the
pair won their event and Best Conditioned. Maybe is half-brother to Zanadu as both are sired by Zakah Zahara. Jamie and Maybe have 100% completions
this year totalling over 520kms - four of those rides were FEI. Congratulations Jamie!
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MAY 2009
The walker is up and walking!
After months of ground work, the horse walker has finally been installed.There are still countless metres of paving to be done in and around, but at least now the horses can be exercised at home. This will take a lot of pressure off training, particularly for Donna who up until now has had to truck the horses from home each day.
Fernvale Classic
Weismann Endurance,
comprising of Donna riding
Hirstglen Fargo, Tim on
Hirstglen Zanadu and Jo riding stallion Hirstglen Louisville, enjoyed a 100% completion rate
at the recent Fernvale Classic.
Special mention to poor Zanadu. Whilst this was a non-competitive ride for the Weismann's, carrying Tim at 106kg for an 82km FEI ride, losing a shoe and still making Top 10 was a huge effort for her first ride of the year.
Another two Hirstglen horses
also successfully completed the
120km FEI for their respective owners.
Noel, Sharn and Tyla all strapped, while little Cody avoided the commotion, not arriving on
Sunday till after the ride.
An enjoyable and successful weekend was hadby all.
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APRIL 2009
Easter at Cinnabar Runn
Easter proved to be soggy at the farm, but plenty of work was still done. Three kilometres of fencing is underway and new yards will start shortly after, all to aid in the handling of young stock. A basic cabin has also been erected, so we can stay easily and have a more constant presence.
Far-a-Way Easter Carnival
Weismann Endurance didn't attend the FAW Easter Carnival this year, however three Hirstglen horses did with fantastic results.
Hirstglen Conquistador (Condor) ridden and trained by Rebecca Miller, won the Lightweight division of the 320km Marathon. It was both Beck and Condor's first attempt at this huge event.
Hirstglen Olympus (Serabin x Saracus Nakira) completed his first 80km ride - he will be one to watch in the future.
Hirstglen Maybe and owner Jamie Green completed Monday's 85km ride to place second Junior and receive the Best Conditioned award.
Congratulations to all involved in what was a very difficult (muddy) weekend!
Farewell Zeppelin
Hirstglen bids farewell to one of its brightest stars. Hirstglen Zeppelin, son of Zakah Zahara, has been sold to an Australian stable. Zeppelin represents the 46th sale for Weismann Endurance and went for the largest sale amount to date.
His sale comes just one week after another Zakah Zahara gelding was sold - Hirstglen Zambezi.
Whilst the whole family is sad to see Zeppelin go, we all know he will go on to meet his full potential and become the champion he deserves.
We wish Zeppelin and Zambezi's owners all the best and know they will do their new stables proud.
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MARCH 2009
Congratulations girls!
Noel's ganddaughter Jessica has just completed her first 40km ride at Brymaroo riding Lanamere Harrison. Tim and Jo's six year old daughter Tyla, also rode Harrison to complete her first 20km ride at Lake Manchester one week earlier. Both girls have done extremely well, especially since its not often they get the opportunity to ride.
Next up its Samantha's turn, as her twin sister Sharn is already an Open rider. Sharn started Endurance last year, with over 400km and a 100% completion rate. She came third in the Walkabout Burnett Challenge tri-series and was awarded The Mike Gabriel Encouragement Award 2008.
The entire family is extremely proud of all four girls - well done!
Tim and Jo welcome Hirstglen Zanadu
Replacing Jules was hard for Tim and Jo, but Noel and Donna making Zanadu available to them made the decision a lot easier.
Hirstglen Zanadu is sired by Zakah Zahara and out of one of Noel's all time favourite mares, Pepper Tree Candy. She is already an Open endurance horse and is sure to share the same success as her parents.
Zanadu was already in demand from buyers, so Tim and Jo thank dad Noel for making this lovely mare available for purchase.
Noel still owns several Zakah Zahara horses - please contact him for more information.
Noel prepares for a long awaited horse walker
Noel and 'Tractor Trev' have been busy preparing his Brisbane property for a horse walker. Given he and Donna live only 15kms from the Brisbane CBD, the walker is anticipated to be a huge help in exercising the horses at home.
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FEBRUARY 2009
Foals
Several new foals are on the ground courtesy of Arragon and some beautiful broodmares.
Hirstglen Azure is out of Blue Solitare and carries the blood of Poldark, Simeon Sol and Arabesque Stardust. The combination should make Azure and her siblings worth watching in the future.
More foals are expecting in the coming weeks.
Cinnabar Runn
Work has been underway at the Kilkivan property 'Cinnabar Runn'.
Improving the land and preparing for a shed, stables and future house, are the primary objectives this year.
The property (over 250 acres) will secure a long and happy future for Hirstglen Arabians.
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JANUARY 2009
Bon voyage Madonna and Horizon!
The beginning of a long journey to a new home in the United Arab Emirates, we look forward to seeing these two talented horses reaching their full potential overseas.
Vale Danic Park Miss Julianne
Sadly Tim & Joey's much loved mare, Danic Park Miss Julianne "Jules" (Cudgelbar Paleface x Miss
Magic), died in a tragic accident just two days before the first ride
for 2009.
We would like to thank Nicole Urquhart and David Smith from
whom we bought her, and to Craig Ellison and Rebecca Miller who trained
and cared for her - thank you so much.
Timmy believes she is the best
horse he has ever ridden and because she was such a much loved member
of our family, she will never be forgotten.
We are extremely grateful
for the time we had with her.
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DECEMBER 2008
Farewell Vanessa
Sadly Weismann Endurance bids farewell to Vanessa Tiffen as she heads home to New Zealand.
Vanessa was an integral member of the team - training, completing and winning rides.
More importantly, she was part of the family.
She worked and lived with Noel and Donna for two seasons achieving much success.
During that time she won the 2007 National Distance Rider (Middleweight), managed 15 x top 10 placings (including 2 x 1st) and second place in the Walkabout Burnett Challenge Tri-Series. She completed almost 2700km in rides and thousands more in training.
Vanessa will be sadly missed by the entire family (especially Donna!).
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SEPTEMBER 2008
Tom Quilty Gold Cup -
Weismann Endurance and Hirstglen Arabians celebrate!
Huge congratulations go to Donna and Fargo on 2nd place in this prestigious event. They were beaten by Meg Wade on China Doll by a mere few minutes.
The Tom Quilty Gold Cup, Australia's National Championship ride, was held at Nanango in Queensland under tough conditions. Searing heat followed by an explosive thunderstorm made for a very memorable event.
Another Hirstglen horse, Sahara, ridden by Harlee McCarthy also achieved a buckle and 5th Junior placing.
