Welcome to Harris Park Warmbloods and thank you for taking the time to learn more about my stud and my ambitions with regards to my Warmblood breeding in Australia. Below is a brief outline of my introduction to Warmblood horses, my goals with my breeding program, the care and management of my horses, and my future direction with breeding.

 

INTRODUCTION | BREEDING | ADMIN & CARE | LEARNING | THE FUTURE

 

INTRODUCTION TO WARMBLOOD HORSES.

My introduction to Warmblood horses was in 1992 as a young teenager. From that point on my interest in horses was directed towards Warmbloods and the primary Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping. In 1993, I was fortunate enough to be given my first Warmblood horse, a grey gelding named Vaudeville (Valuta x Goree King (NZ) 1965 x Vibrant (GB) 1963), followed by my AWHA Ltd Warmblood Foundation Mare Lafayette (Stirling Luther x Valuta x Whistling Ghost (AUS) 1964) in 1998.

 

Vaudeville is a half-brother to Lucette by Lucano (Imp/Dec), the dam of Stuart Archibald's FEI horse Roxbury Lucille. Pictured above left: Vaudeville with my old Part Bred Arabian Djemur Legionaire (Polo Da Raggia (FR) 1980 x Tarrangower Khibrah ox x Waverly Royal Court). Photo: Harris Park Warmbloods ©

 

WARMBLOOD BREEDING.

I have always had a strong interest in Warmblood breeding and bloodlines, and in 2006 I started researching prospective stallions for Lafayette. I found this task difficult and disjointed and through this frustration I started Warmbloods Australia to assist other Australian Warmblood breeders as well as myself with available stallions. After much research and consideration I decided to breed Lafayette to the imported Swedish Warmblood stallion Kleber Magritte 780 (Imp) (Magini x Cicerdon x Sweet Mahrhu xx). In 2007, I was presented with a lovely chestnut colt, Harris Park Malmö, who was bred to be my next riding horse. Unfortunately due to injury he was euthanised at thirty four days old.

 

Although a devastating and extremely disappointing beginning to breeding Warmblood horses, I continued to breed with Lafayette having her put in foal to the imported Oldenburger stallion Smash Hit (Imp) (Sandro Hit x Rosenkavalier x Angelo xx) which resulted in my first filly, Harris Park Salienta. Lafayette has since had two more foals, Harris Park Répertoire (Dec) by Riverside (Imp) and Harris Park Florence by Floriscount (IFS). Pictured right: Harris Park Malmö and I at Agnes Banks Veterinary Clinic on 07 December 2007. Photo: Harris Park Warmbloods ©

 

Florence was Lafayette's last foal and was subsequently retired from stud duties. Lafayette's daughters Salienta and Florence have been used to continue her bloodlines in my breeding program. I am extremely pleased with what Lafayette produced for me.

 

In October of 2010, I extended my broodmare base by purchasing the Hanoverian mare Kinnordy Winona (Dec) (Winterkönig x Daktylus x Goldstein) from Holger and Melanie Schmorl of Kinnordy Stud. Winona produced five lovely foals for Harris Park Warmbloods - Kinnordy Geronimo by Gymnastik Star (Imp/Dec) in 2011 (purchased in-utero), Harris Park Riordan (ET) by Riverside (Imp) in 2012, Harris Park Odette (ET) by Pref Keur OO Seven (Imp) and Harris Park Freestyler by Floriscount (IFS) in 2013, and Harris Park Enigma (Dec) by Estobar NRW (IFS) in 2015. It was with much sadness that Winona was euthanised on 29 December 2015, the day before her eighteenth birthday, due to post foaling complications. She is greatly missed but her legacy lives on in Harris Park Warmbloods' breeding program through her two daughters, Riordan and Odette.

 

In September 2011, I took a major step forward in my breeding program, purchasing two embryos from Revelwood Warmblood Stud's finest imported mares using their 'designer foal' option. My first breeding was using the Premium Licensed and Performance Tested Oldenburger stallion Quando-Quando (Imp) (Quattro B x Akzent II x Matador) with Revelwood's imported Hanoverian mare Pr.M. Revelwood Highlite (Imp) (His Highness x Grundstein I x Black Sky xx). Pictured left: owner-rider Mikala Thomas and HPW Dunham RW (ET), during Round 1 of the 4YO Young Dressage Horse class at D&JWTS at WPNEC on Friday 24 March 2017. Photo: Angie Rickard Photography ©

 

This combination of breeding resulted in a handsome black colt I named HPW Quaser RW (ET). My second breeding was with the Premium Licensed and Performance Tested Oldenburger stallion Diamond Hit (IFS) (Don Schufro x Ramino x Welt As) with Revelwood's imported Oldenburger V.Pr.St. Karmelita (Imp) (Donnerschwee x Sandro Hit x Karon) (aka Revelwood Daylite). This combination of breeding resulted in a beautiful, dark brown colt I named HPW Dunham RW (ET). As Harris Park Warmbloods does not generally keep colts, both Quaser and Dunham were gelded.

 

Quaser's recipient mother, the Australian Stud Book (ASB) Thoroughbred mare Che Sara (AUS) 2004 (Filante (NZ) 1992 x Sillery (USA) 1988 x Sir Tristram (IRE) 1971) proved to be an extraordinary mare in character, quality and motherhood. Although on lease, I could not bear to part with her and therefore she became another much loved member of the Harris Park family. Che Sara has a double cross to the NZ Racing Hall of Fame stallion Sir Tristram (3 x 3 removes). Sir Tristram's fist foal crop was born in 1977.

 

"Among this crop was Sovereign Red, winner of the Victoria Derby, Australian Derby, Caulfield Guineas and Western Mail Classic at three as well as the BATC Doomben and the Underwood Stakes at four. All of these races are G1 events. Sovereign Red was to be the first of his forty-five G1 stakes winners. Gurner's Lane from the second Sir Tristram crop became the first of his Melbourne Cup winners. The gelding would go on to Australian horse of the year honours. He also added the prestigious Caulfield Cup to his racing resume. The other two Melbourne Cup winners sired by Sir Tristram are Brew, the winner in 2000, and Empire Rose in 1988." Thoroughbred Ancestry.

 

Che Sara's sire Filante (NZ) 1992, won the 1997 Warwick Stakes with a record of 1:21.060 for the 1400 metres at Warwick Farm; a time that still stands today. He claimed Group One victories in the 1996 Epsom Handicap and 1997 Caulfield Stakes, as well as two seconds in the Cox Plate, with a host of placings in other major races. To date, Che Sara has produced four lovely foals for Harris Park Warmbloods namely Harris Park Copyright by Contendro I (IFS) (Contender x Reichsgraf x Rasputin), Harris Park Kokomo by Kannan (IFS) (Voltaire x Nimmerdor x Le Mexico), Harris Park Carnarvon by Cera Charisma (Casall Ask x Carinjo HDC x Calypso I) and Harris Park Elliston by my stallion HPW Emmett RW (ET) (Everdale x Donnerschwee x Sandro Hit x Karon).

 

In October 2013 I purchased another embryo from V.Pr.St. Karmelita (Imp) hoping to finally obtain a filly. I chose to breed Karmelita to the 2012 KWPN Performance Test Champion and Everdale (IFS) (Lord Leatherdale x Negro x El Corona) producing a chestnut colt I named HPW Emmett RW (ET). Emmett represents bloodlines that I would love to carry forth in my breeding program, so the decision was made to retain him as a stallion prospect. He was presented for Colt Selection with the AWHA Ltd in 2019, passing and gaining an active breeding permit with the Association. Pictured right: HPW Emmett RW (ET) on 21 March 2019, aged 4 years, 4 months and 23 days old. Photo: Sue Crockett Photography ©

 

In July 2015, I purchased the Australian Warmblood mare Jaybee Vegas (Vivant van de Heffinck x Athletico x Skyhigh) from the Jaybee Farm Retirement Auction to expand my jumping specific broodmare base. It was a disappointing beginning with Vegas, having difficulties with her getting pregnant, trying three times with frozen semen to the Holsteiner stallion Diarado (IFS) (Diamant de Semilly x Corrado I x Contender) and three times with chilled semen to the imported Hanoverian stallion Higgins (Burme) (Imp) (Heraldik xx x For Pleasure x Grundstein I). Vegas finally managed a pregnancy to Higgins (Imp)in 2018, producing a bay colt, Harris Park Hamersley (Higgins x Vivant van de Heffinck x Athletico). I subsequently bred Vegas to the imported Selle Français stallion Black Jack IXE (Imp) (Indoctro x Diamant de Semilly x Nidor Platière) and was lucky enough to obtain a healthy filly as a future breeding prospect, Harris Park Bellevue (Black Jack IXE x Vivant van de Heffinck x Athletico).

 

During this time Harris Park Warmbloods also welcomed the Australian Warmblood mare Gráinne (Grand Ouverte x Silky Baby (USA) 1978 x Ruling (USA) 1970) to the breeding herd. As well as having an impressive sire line with the likes of the imported Hanoverian stallions Graf Landau (Imp) and Winterkönig (Imp), and the imported Hanoverian mare St.Pr.St. Wolfsangel (Imp) (Wolfsburg x Absatz x Monitor xx), Gráinne's dam line is just as respectable having a double cross to the Thoroughbred stallion Bold Ruler (USA) 1954 (sire of the immortal Secretariat (USA) 1970). Gráinne was on lease for just over 1 year and 9 months. I had Gráinne DNA typed (full parentage verification), registered and classified with the AWHA Ltd as a Warmblood Foundation Mare (WFM) Class 'A' and bred her to the Hanoverian stallion Stanley (IFS) (Stakkato x Loredo x Graphit). In October 2016, Gráinne had a lovely filly foal I named Harris Park Saratoga; a future eventing prospect and addition to our breeding herd.

 

In November 2016, we secured another ASB Thoroughbred mare for our breeding program, Third Symphony (AUS) 2012 (Choisir (AUS) 1999 x Lion Heart (USA) 2001 x Royal Academy (USA) 1987). Although sprint bred, she is constructed like a middle distance horse and has a stayers action with lovely basic gaits. She carries many great Thoroughbred sires throughout her pedigree, some of which are proven producers of jumping horses in sport. Her lines include the likes of Biscay, Danehill, Grey Sovereign, Lunchtime, Man O’War, Mr. Prospector, Nasrullah, Nijinsky II, Precipitation and Storm Cat. Her dam, Hear Me Roar (AUS) 2006 (Lion Heart (USA) 2000 x Royal Academy (USA) 1986 x Bletchingly (AUS) 1970), is sex balanced to the Canadian bred, Irish trained, English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky II (CAN) 1967 (6 x 3 removes). Her dam dam sire is Royal Academy (USA) 1987 who is the paternal grandsire of Black Caviar (AUS) 2006. Royal Academy is a half-brother to Terlingua (USA) 1976 (by Secretariat) who is also represented in Third Symphony's dam line. Precipitation (GB) 1933, found through the damline of Mira Adonde (USA) 1986, was the grandsire of Furioso II (aka Vertuoso). Thoroughbreds are a very important part of my sport horse breeding program and I look forward to their progeny excelling in sport in the years to come.

 

I had been looking for a Gymnastik Star (Imp/Dec) (Glückspilz x Calypso II x Werther) x Thoroughbred mare for some time but had no luck in finding the type of mare I was after to join my broodmare herd. In January 2018, I was extremely pleased to have come across the lovely Australian bred mare, Kinnordy Grania, by Gymnastik Star out of the ASB Thoroughbred mare Silky Sue (AUS) 1992 (Silky Baby (USA) 1978 x Ruling (USA) 1970 x Patron Saint (GB) 1962), aka Kinnordy Sue Ellen. Pictured right: former owner Jemma Sewell aboard Kinnordy Grania, a spitting image of her sire Gymnastik Star (Imp/Dec). Photo: courtesy of Jemma Sewell ©

 

It was lovely to secure the Thoroughbred bloodlines of Silky Sue (AUS) 1992, who is also the dam of Gráinne by Grand Ouverte (Graf Landau x Winterkönig x Wolfsburg) whom I leased from 2015-2017. Very different types of mares but similar in that they both have very nice basic gaits. Grania was bred to my stallion, HPW Emmett RW (ET) (Everdale x Donnerschwee x Sandro Hit), producing a lovely colt (now gelding), named Harris Park Eastwood (HPW Emmett RW x Gymnastik Star x Silky Baby (USA) 1978) in 2019. Grania is currently in foal to the Australian Warmblood stallion, Wimborne Confederate (Contenda x Stedinger x Vivaldi), due approximately 20 December 2021.

 

In 2020, I decided that I was going to change the breeding direction of my stud to predominately show jumping and eventing horses and decrease the amount of dressage foals being bred. This led to me purchasing three fillies with black type pedigrees, the first being Glenara Expressionist (ET) (Oaks Espionage x Numero Uno x Concorde), followed by Glenara Exchange Rate (ET) (Eagle Rock x Indorado x Emilion) and Oaks Callista (Contendro I x Ultimo van ter Moude x Jalisco B). The lineage of these three fillies is peppered with 1.60+ metre horses. They are a fantastic addition to the stud and I look forward to using them in breeding and sport.

 

A lot of research has gone and continues to go into my breeding program, with a large focus on performance pedigrees to ensure functional conformation, amenable characters and good disposition in my progeny. Great emphasis is placed on my mares in conjunction with the corresponding stallions, assessing my mares strengths and weaknesses along with that of the stallions to guarantee talented, purpose-bred progeny for the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping. Pictured left: Jessica Manson and Harris Park Salienta (Smash Hit x Stirling Luther x Valuta) at the Alcoa International Horse Trials held at Fairbridge Village from 17-18 September 2016. Photo: Waylib Photos ©

 

All progeny bred by Harris Park Warmbloods are registered with a World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) stud book. Prior to 2021, all female progeny were classified by a WBFSH stud book classifier and all stallions utilised in my breeding program had either been Licensed and Performance Tested with recognised overseas Warmblood breed societies or classified in Australia with a WBFSH stud book. In 2021, leaning more towards the breeding of show jumpers and eventers in Australia, I needed to redefine my breeding objective and direction. This led me to looking at stallions that have not been licensed, performance tested or classified, yet still registered with a WBFSH stud book. A prime example of this, is the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games representative Casebrooke Lomond (with rider Katie Laurie (AUS)).

 

It is unfortunate and somewhat disappointing that horses bred in Australia, and in some cases imported to Australia, either are not licensed, performance tested or classified (excluding youngstock imported prior to being age appropriate), with some not being registered at all. People of this mindset have a primary objective of performance in sport. Whilst I think this is a very important aspect of what we're doing as breeders, riders and coaches, in order to be able to sell Australian Warmbloods on the world stage, we need more diligence and regulation with regards to the registration and performance test of horses.

 

Australia has a number of stud books that are 'Full' members of the WBFSH, which ensures pedigrees of registered horses are accepted by other overseas breed societies. The WBFSH is the major connection between the breeding organisations of sport horses and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Personally, I value stud books that are not too restrictive with regards to my breeding choices, e.g. only Holsteiners or horses Approved for that particular stud book. There are fantastic performance horses and producers of talented progeny amongst a large number of stud books worldwide. When registering foals bred by me, I am now no longer restricting my registrations to one particular stud book like I have done in the past.

 

This change in breeding direction provides me, as a breeder, greater flexibility and diversity in my Australian Warmblood breeding program by being able to access a larger gene pool with more black type pedigrees. Therefore, the Australian Warmblood horses that I breed, have a variety of types incorporated into their pedigrees, such as the Belgian Warmblood, Dutch Warmblood (KWPN), Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Oldenburger, Rheinländer, Selle Français, Swedish Warmblood, Trakehner and Westphalian. In addition to the Warmblood types outlined, there is also breeds such as the Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arabian and Arabian horse. These breeds and types are what makes up the Warmblood horse.

 

Pictured left: Harris Park Répertoire (Riverside x Stirling Luther x Valuta) and I on 26 December 2009. Photo: Harris Park Warmbloods ©

 

ADMINISTRATION AND CARE.

The administration and care of all horses bred and/or owned by Harris Park Warmbloods is paramount. All horses receive the individual attention they deserve which includes administrative aspects such as the registration of all horses with a WBFSH stud book. Harris Park Warmbloods has two prefixes and one suffix reserved with the AWHA Ltd. Prefixes Harris Park and HPW and suffix HPW. The use of the Harris Park prefix and suffix has also been utilised with other WBFSH stud books including Equestrian Australia. I have an M series three piece brand and symbol brand registered with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QLD DPI). All progeny are sedated and freeze branded with my symbol brand on their near side shoulder, their reference number and last figure of their season of foaling on their off side shoulder, and with the AWHA Ltd "W" brand (for eligible horses only) on their near side thigh.

 

 

In addition to the regular health care received by all Harris Park horses, my mares are vaccinated for tetanus and strangles (Equivac^® 2in1) one month prior, and wormed two weeks prior to their expected foaling date. All foals have an IgG test within the first twenty four hours to ensure adequate passive transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) from the mare to the foal including an Equivac^® TAT injection. Pictured below left: Harris Park Salienta (Smash Hit x Stirling Luther x Valuta) on 27 February 2009, aged two months and eight days old. Photo: Photo Finish Photography ©

 

My foals are regularly handled with their feet trimmed every three to six weeks with worming being determined by faecal egg count numbers; all prerequisites for mentally and physically healthy youngsters.

 

All broodmares, foals and youngstock are fed the Barastoc range of feed products in the form of their commercial Breed N Grow pellet (with added hind gut buffer) and commercial All-Phase ration balancer pellet with added coarse salt as a staple. Ad-lib access to grass hay is provided with lucerne being fed as required (predominantly for broodmares in their last trimester). Barastoc is Australia's leading brand for high performance livestock feed and has always been committed to producing balanced, quality products and providing customers with tailored personal service. This dedication led Barastoc to forge an exclusive relationship with Kentucky Equine Research (KER), the world leader in equine nutrition research and development. Barastoc is the exclusive KER Team Member for the eastern states of Australia, and has been since 2001.

 

Harris Park Warmbloods' attending veterinarians are Dr Jaco Joubert, B.V.Sc. and Dr David Nolan, B.V.Sc. of Peak Crossing Veterinary Services (PCVS). Radiographs for the purpose of horse sales are conducted by Dr Tias Muurlink of Warwick Equine Vets (WEV). My attending blacksmith and farrier is Arnold Dobbe (Australian Farriers and Blacksmiths Association). Arnold is a Queensland government accredited farrier having attained a Certificate III in Farriery at Scone TAFE and also has a Diploma of Farriery with the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF) in the United Kingdom.

 

As of the 2017 breeding season, all reproductive requirements have been undertaken by myself with the assistance of Dr Jaco Joubert and Dr David Nolan. I have an active interest in equine reproduction and am eager to continue to learn and put this knowledge into action. To date I have successfully completed the Advanced Equine Reproductive Management course and Artificial Insemination (AI) Technician's Course with Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital (GVEH) along with Utilising Frozen Semen, Uterine Flushing, Deep Horn Insemination and Equine Reproductive Ultrasound courses with The Breeder's Assistant (USA).

 

In September of 2018, I travelled to the United States and undertook private tuition with Jos Mottershead and Kathy St Martin of Equine Reproduction LLC (USA). Jos and Kathy are extremely knowledgeable equine reproductive experts and I learnt a lot from this training. I would highly recommend anyone with an interest in equine reproduction to attend one of their courses. Along with rehashing mares, stallions and foaling, we covered stallion collection and chilled semen processing, along with embryo transfer (ET).

 

CONTINUED LEARNING.

I am a current Member of the Australian Continental Equestrian (ACE) Group, AWHA Ltd (Corporate), Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC), Equestrian Queensland (Owner-Supporter), HHSA (Breeder Member), Royal Dutch Sport Horse Association (KWPN) and Stud Book Zangersheide. I enjoy meeting other breeders and riders and learning from their knowledge and experience. In turn this allows me as a breeder to evaluate and improve my own breeding program where required. Over the years my breeding goals have evolved which define my left and right of arc with what I find acceptable and unacceptable as a breeder and within my breeding program.

 

I was a Director on the AWHA Ltd Federal Board and Federal Publicity Officer for 7 years, as well as the AWHA Queensland Branch President and Publicity Officer from 2010 to 2016. I was under training with the Registrations Administrator and Membership Co-ordinator and have 'acted' in these positions for a number of months over time. In May 2019, I became the AWHA Ltd Registrations Administrator, in September re-joined the Queensland Branch committee becoming Queensland Branch Secretary and in December 2019 became the AWHA Ltd Federal Registrar. I resigned as Membership Co-ordinator, Federal Registrar and Registrations Administrator in August of 2021. In November 2021, I joined the ACE Group as a committee member. I look forward to working with the team from the ACE Group and their exciting initiatives for 2022.

 

I am pleased to be a strong advocate and ambassador for the Australian Warmblood. I take great pride in Australia and what the Australian Warmblood horse and breeder has to offer. I would encourage Australians looking for horses to search in their own backyard first - the quality being produced by fellow breeders in Australia is forever improving and becoming comparable to that of Europe.

 

Pictured right: Belcam Aaccent (Aachen x Falkland x Monopol) and I on 19 July 2009 at Moggill, Queensland. Photo: Harris Park Warmbloods ©

 

THE FUTURE FOR HARRIS PARK WARMBLOODS.

My original breeding objective was to breed talented, purpose-bred Australian Warmblood performance horses out of my mares with the resultant female progeny being Classified into the Head Stud Book (HSB) of the AWHA Ltd. From there, I wished to have them compete to obtain their Elite status as well as using them in future breeding, producing Australian Warmblood performance horse progeny out of Elite AWHA Ltd registered mares for discerning Australian and International competitors.

 

From breeding predominantly dressage horses, I have steered towards breeding show jumpers and the odd eventing horse. I am no longer aligned to one breed society in particular and will choose an association that meets the need of that horse in particular whether it be Zangersheide, KWPN, ACE Group, HHSA, etc. It is an unfortunate aspect of Australian show jumping breeders, that registration is not the main priority but that of performance. This has resulted in imported stallions being Foal Book registered, but have not completed a Licensing and Performance Test component or Australian bred horses that have never been registered. I always said I would never breed from stallions that have not completed Licensing and Performance Testing but there are some fantastic show jumping stallions in Australia that I will miss out on if I maintain that mindset. Therefore, with regards to show jumping stallions, I have made some compromises. This will not affect my ability to register their offspring, but it does influence where in the Register or Stud Book that the horse can be entered.

 

I would also like to educate and encourage Australian breeders and riders to see the potential in and support the Australian Warmblood, enabling it to excel both nationally and internationally on a larger scale. After all, aren't all Warmblood horses bred in Australia, Australian Warmbloods...? The title that go with it such as Hanoverian, Oldenburg, Trakehner, etc. is merely the title given for the registering body located within that region.

 

Unfortunately, due to ongoing medical issues I am no longer riding. Therefore, my focus is on breeding and handling my youngstock and, when money permits, I will employ full-time, professional riders to campaign my horses that I have bred and retained.

 

Above all, I aim to breed purpose-bred Australian Warmblood horses that are a pleasure to own, ride and compete, and are suitable for amateur and professional riders alike for the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and show jumping. I am passionate and committed to breeding talented Australian Warmblood horses with functional conformation, amenable characters and good disposition.

 

If you have any questions about my breeding program or Warmblood horses, please do not hesitate to contact me. Visitors are always welcome by appointment.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

Shanna Antrim.

Proprietor, Harris Park Warmbloods.

 

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