Macquarie Bank Hack Championships 16/17/9/11

Just back from the Mac Bank Hack Champs with the 3 newcomers and it has been a great couple of days. Iona Park Rhythm was 3rd in the prelim hacks, Harmony won her newcomer galloway class and we were delighted with her, sadly we missed her prelim class by 5 mins!!! Maestro competed in the open large showhunter ponies and was a finalist for champion so very happy with this little boy. Late on Saturday afternoon he competed in his newcomer and prelim showhunter classes as the fri show had been cancelled because of a factory next door blowing up! Our boy won his prelim large showhunter class and was reserve champion and then competed in newcomer lrg showhunter pony with a judge from a different ring and he came 3rd. We were a little disappointed with this one as he worked so well and looked like a showhunter. Such a good pony and very happy with the results. Roll on HOTY, All Welsh and National R P Show.....First 2 pics Iona Park Maestro, 2nd 2 Iona Pk Rhythm and the bottom 2 are of Iona Pk Harmony.

Rathowen Toy Soldier

Toy Soldier is back under saddle for the first time in nearly 4 years. I have been asked so many times why he is not out competing. I was going to let his progeny speak for him as his youngstock are winning at the highest level with beautiful temperaments and fantastic attitudes but have decided to let him have a few days out for himself.

Here are a few updated photos of Mr Fatty as he has been a paddock stallion and sire for quite a while but I think with a few kilos lost he will look his stunning self. Toy Soldier has an amazing temperament, beautiful front and everyone who meets him just loves him.

Iona Park Maestro, Harmony & Rhythm

All three newcomers for 2011 Maestro, Harmony and Rhythm were give the winter off to grow, mature and enjoy being a horse! They have all come back into work after 3 months and have competed getting ready for Macquarie Bank Hack Champs, HOTY and The All Welsh.

Iona Park Maestro ridden by Steph Chenery attended Bulli show and again won his open showhunter class and we were thrilled with him, such a talented young pony and the first time out in approx 4 months.

Iona Pk Harmony, ridden by Steph competed at the APSB show in Camden on 21st Aug being Champion Newcomer and Reserve Champion Small Galloway.

Harmony again competed at Penrith Show where she won her Intermediate galloway class and was 2nd in her open class. Very, very happy with this young galloway. Rhythm also competed at Penrith & was 2nd in his Intermediate Hack class. He was called in 1st in the open hacks but was a little too immature to win against more experienced horses. We are very happy with his progress too.

Bathurst Royal

Iona Park youngsters competed at Bathurst Royal and we were very proud of them. Iona Park Rhythm won the EFA hack and 3rd
Open hack. Harmony our galloway 2 x 4ths with a lot of competition in the open rings and Iona Park Melody (owned by K
Makoul and trained by Kea) was Champion Park Welsh, Champion Saddle Pony and 1 Intermediate show hunter pony. First 2 photos Melody ridden by Christina King-Andrews, Harmony ridden by Laura Thompson, Rhythm ridden by Christina and Steph Chenery.

National Pony of The Year 2011

Iona Park Team competed our Newcomer Iona Park Maestro (ridden by Laura Thompson) at POTY on Friday the 8th and Sunday the 10th of April. We were so proud of our little man. Out of four classes he came home with two Reserve Champions, two 1sts, one 2nd and a 3rd.


Reserve Champion picture shows a very proud Trish

Robertson Show 10th/11th March

The Iona Park Team competed at Robertson show with Maestro and Harmony. Laura rode Maestro on Friday winning the Adults Showhunter pony, 3rd Open Showhunter Pony & 2nd Arabian Derivative mare or gelding. We were so happy as there was a lot of competition and we think our baby did brilliantly to place so highly. On Saturday we competed with Harmony. Our 4 yr old Harmony worked so well for Laura after having 4 weeks off with a deep foot abcess. No working in just straight into the ring like a pro winning all of her classes 1st District Galloway Hack, 1st Open galloway then 1st Lady's galloway. She was asked to do a flying change for champion so no chance for us as we dont teach our babies to doing flying changes as 4 yr olds.

Kangaroo Valley Show with Iona Park Maestro and Rhythmm

The Iona Park Team took Rhythm and Maestro to Kangaroo Valley show with Rhythm (ridden by Steph Chenery) winning the Open Hack n/e 15.2hh and Maestro (ridden by Laura Thompson) winning the Open Pony Hack up to 13hh and was Reserve Champion Open Pony Hack. Very very happy. Well done Steph for being runner up Lady Rider.