News from SUMA

DECEMBER 2005

...Still moving and unpacking....stay tuned....

NOVEMBER 2005

We are in the process of moving........ We can be reached via

Mobile phone, 086 2695787

Stay tuned for more info, coming soon.

OCTOBER 2005

News of foals: Distant Glen is sold (via the internet picture!)

to a man who already owns a Glennridge in the UK.

And Taliban is going to the VDL Stud.

Our moving date is coming ever nearer and having not had time to find a new
home we have had a very kind offer to take a house at the Castle Forbes
estate in Longford. So our new address is "Gamekeepers cottage", Castle
Forbes, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford. Still available at the mobile number
of 086 2695787.

"Gamekeepers Cottage"

Huntingfield Rebel sired the top selling RID mare, Suma's Blueprint, at the National Registered Irish Draught Sale in Cavan Equestrian Centre. 

What a difference a bath makes! Fetching 18,000 euro at Cavan Irish Draught Sale

this year. Good luck to her new owner, Sarah Lait with this super star daughter

of Huntingfield Rebel and The Thatcherite

Enjoying Ashfield in 2003

Huntingfield Rebel also sired the Champion at the Native Challenge,  winning the Farmlay Eggs Purebred Irish Draught Championship, was Patricia Hanna’s MILLHOLLOW COOL MAN gr g 9yr s by Huntingfield Rebel, who was 2nd in the ridden class for pure bred Irish Draughts 6 yrs or over, 2nd Dressage class for pure breds, 2nd in showjumping, and 3rd in Cross Country.

SEPTEMBER 2005

Very sadly we are without a stallion in the yard for the first time in 29
years. We decided that we would not be in a position to stand HUNTINGFIELD REBEL at stud
next year so our friends, (and one-time pupil) Olive and Ivor Broderick of
Kylemore Stud, Loughrea are taking him for the
season. He is so adaptable that he settled in straight away and they are
treating him just like we do, time in a paddock, hacking out, and plenty of
attention and company. We have many clients in Galway who will be delighted
to have Rob much nearer even though he will still be AI only.
We are sure they will do any excellent job and all future enquiries should
be directed to them at 09097 45599.

Vitor Texeira, the Brazilian who has been riding our two ex resident stallions for the VDL Stud has done really well at Lanaken.  TALOUBET, the 5 y.o. with a clear the first day had 4 faults on the 2nd day but finished on a great note with a clear in the Consolation.  Meanwhile PESSOA jumped clear in the Sires of the World Warm up, beating his older half brother Montreal, then in only his 2nd 1.50 outing had 4 faults a bit too slowly to go into the 2nd round. Still an excellent effort for this inexperienced 8 yr old.

Watch out for TALOUBET'S final Irish crop of foals, not only our 3 foals for sale privately but  in Cavan next week.
 
ARKANSAS's first crop continue to impress.  Last night in the 4 yr old final that he himself won in 2001, two of his daughters were in the money.
Also Don Hadden received €11.000 for his filly at Goresbridge last week to that excellent judge Michael Quirke.

A few more snaps of the June and July born foals, Glen and Tabitha.

 

Music (left)   Tabitha's rear and Distant Glen (sold)

Evan's Suma (Nellie)   mum of Tabitha (by Taloubet   VDL)

Tabitha our pink foal

Still looking for genuine buyers for these   two and Cloudburst (Chellano Z)

We had tremendous reaction to our news looking for   new homes and I'm delighted to say that Disco, Colourpaint, Odette, Tommy the   teaser, & Cosmo have all found new homes.  For some the queue was quite   long!

Still available are the foals, all to be sold   privately this year, no sales.  They are chipped and marked and ready to   go.  Please tell your friends.  Details of the foals can be read and seen in the August News below.

JULY 2005

Pessoa VDL   was second in a Grand Prix in Leipzig ...Translated from the German, "Volkmar Shadocks dreamtime hasn't run out. The newly approved qualified showjumping master teacher from Berlin-Brandenburg secured it further with VDL Pessoa by producing a faultless clear in the final jump-off to get 2nd
place in the 2 star Grand Prix of Leipzig-Taucha", and now today he was fifth in the International show in Holland with a Brazilian rider that the VDL is   mounting.  They kept telling me he was jumping well which amazed us (Susie   especially) as when he was here in 2001 none of our riders had a good word to   say about him!  I, as the amateur, always thought he was scopy but backward   but they said no he was useless!  Anyway that was the year we had foot and   mouth so no stallion inspections were done so he went back in June having only   got 4 mares in foal.  He was a   smashing looking horse, black with 4 white socks and a super mover. Photo of him with a Swedish student when he was here as a 4.y.o.

Pessoa VDL at 4 y.o.

Pessoa's daughter, "Suma's Coffee,  She is seen qualifying for the Cavan Loose Jumping Champs.   in August having already won and placed in 2 other competitions under the charge   of Andrew Gardner.  She is out of Suma's Horlicks (Horos xx ex Carlisheen   Molly RID by Solohead) so is a niece of the two internationals Coral Sea and   Suma's Oscar. Coffee is already in foal to Ard VDL   Douglas so may not do too much more jumping but she has proved herself very able   to carry on the line."

Suma's Coffee at Cavan

But we had to say goodbye yesterday to our darling Rosie (Sky's Ablaze), weaning her colt early as she was fading and so weak.  We will never know what she was actually suffering from for the past 12 months but she did a hell of a job with the foal and was still eating well herself.  She was put down here and never knew what happened it was so peaceful.  Karen, our Vet, who loved her as her own was in tears but insisted she was there at the end. Strange to think that one of our favourites was actually not bred by us but by Fintan Branigan out of the mare Tara Sky he bought from us as a yearling.  She, Rosie, was only 6 days old when we agreed to buy her from him, a decision he later much regretted!  We are hoping that Cloudburst Z can stay entire until he is old enough to see if he will make a stallion as her genes deserve to go on.

Our homebred Indoctro 4 y.o  owned by John Connolly' s TJM
Stud, Suma's Sound of Music has qualified for the  RDS against steep
opposition (87) in the Northern region. She is the first foal  of Distant
Music who recently had her fifth foal by Glennridge. Well done all
concerned!

SUMA has written the Foreword to the new book...

...by our friends Mary McGrath and Joan Griffith, The Irish Draught Horse: A History. The book is published by Collins Press, Cork , Ireland and designed by Anu Design, Tara, Co. Meath, Ireland.

Mary McGrath and Joan C. Griffith have teamed-up and have published a beautifully designed and illustrated book on the Irish Draught horse. Mary is an Art Conservator, a member of the Kildare branch, and was formerly Secretary of the Society; Joan is a Librarian, an honorary life member of the Society and updates the website for the IDHS. They have created a rich text of 256 pages, woven together with over 160 photographs in collaboration with a number of scholars and experts.

The book is available in Bookshops across Ireland and from online bookshops.

To learn more about the book and for ordering details, see the companion website: 

irishdraughthorsebook.com

1-903464-82-X • Irish Interest/Equestrian
HB • 256 pp
250 x 250mm
€25.00/£20.00
Black & white line drawings and photos

JUNE 2005

Ashfield was SOLD at AUCTION.

New owner Michael Bayley, who paid 6.4 million Euros.

Ashfield Estate, web page information and photos, sale date 21st June 2005.

Ashfield Estate, home of Suma Stud for twenty eight years and family home of the Power's will be auctioned on the 21st June 2005.   The Sales Auctioneers are Collier Jackson Stops of   Dublin, Tel 01 6333700, John Hamilton handling it.

Additional photos of Suma Stud

VDL Arkansas returns to Ireland...

Archie has arrived in Ireland at the Wright's Ard Cherrymount Stud.  All those who keep phoning to ask about semen.......book in now!  He is only here for a couple of months while on a rest from International duties. Richard's number is +(00353) (0)87 2489970.

And by the way Congratulations to Richard who has topped the poll and is now elected to the Irish Horse Board.

VDL Arkansas winning at Zelhern 3 weeks ago

Two of Archie's first crop have now qualified for the RDS Four year old jumping, one winner and one placed 4th both bred by Vere Cooper and now owned by Malachy Fox. 

Claggan Dark Warrior at 2 days old in 2001, recent winner of the RDS 4 y.o qualifier.

Suma's Bequest, dressed for the showring.  By VDL Ricochet out of Suma Legacy (Horos xx) aged 2 yrs. (SOLD)

This filly has an outstanding gentle nature, is a super mover like her dad and is now 167cm already. She missed the August sale due to hurting her leg but is now available.  To make a smashing allrounder, eventer type and will win in the showring too. 

June Foal News

A lovely start to June, super duper bay colt by VDL Glennridge (Keur) out of
Distant Music. Glennridge was Archie's half brother who was being prepared
for the Sydney Olympics when he colicked and died aged only 11. Probably
Aziemieka's best progeny of all her internationals (until Arkansas!) this
was by 4 year old frozen semen. Music's first foal,Sound of Music, now 4 by
Indoctro has started SJAI competitions and although backward is showing
great talent.

Our "frozen " Glennridge colt out of Distant Music (Horos xx)

Second foal news is that already Torite's colt by Puissance has been bought
by Pam Stevenson in Scotland who spotted him on the website and flew over
specially to buy him. They will stay here until weaning time but maybe
Torite will go to Pam too and be broken. We wish her the very best of luck.

Only one left to foal, not till July, and that is Evan's Suma who only came
back to us last year. And only 3 weeks to the auction so masses of visitors
to look at the house and stud.

MAY 2005

VDL Arkansas has resumed his   winning ways with a 1.40 win at Zelhern in Holland.  Meanwhile, one of his   first crop which we sold at our August Sale came back here to foal.  Sumas   California (Arkansas/Softee) had a grand colt foal at midnight last night.    She was a bit green about what to do with him but got the hang of things during   the day and loves him to bits.  He is by Ard VDL Douglas who continues to   impress in the Grand Prix circuit in spite of his tender age.

Two Irish Draught yearlings....

Cosmo, 2004 dun filly by Cork Arthur ex Colman/Ginger Dick.

Rear view showing the dorsal stripe

Island Dream 2004 by Golden Trump ex Crannagh Hero/Glenside. Still wearing winter woollies!

Irish Draughts or warmbloods??

Socks and a tulip.

The Irish Horse Board is having elections in the   Leinster region shortly and we have nominated our friend and colleague Richard   Wright.  Not only is he very knowledgeable but hardworking and   conscienscious and extremely concerned with the future of breeding in   Ireland.  He would also like far more transparency in the workings of   the Horse Board. We would urge all those who can vote to support   him. 

More information about Richard at their website www.irelandhorse.com

We have a cracking colt by Puissance out of   Torite born 1/5.  Photo will follow when it stops raining ! Here they are...

Hutch bay colt by Puissance ex Torite (Marlon)       Torite and Hutch exit left!

News from here is, as always with horses, swings   and roundabouts!  We had two mares being tidied for the Premier mare   inspections on Monday, and one was foaling in July, the other we had covered   with Glennridge (Archies half brother, dead for 4 years at an early age) She was   scanned empty so as she had had 4 foals running we didnt really mind but didnt   have her in the sale to sell empty.

Anyway, we had her in riding a bit and lunging to   get her fitter but she wouldnt come in season.  I had planned to give her a   loose jump before the inspection but when I took a long look at her I told Susie   I wouldnt jump her till she got checked again and sure enoughthere is a foal in   her!

But just as we were celebrating, Vixen, the mare   whose stock sold best at the sale suddenly dropped of her belly and it was like   a second belly under the first.  She was extremely unhappy and kept getting   cast so as her time was up and we were exhausted and unfit to get her up without   a third person we sent her to the Equine Hospital now only 3 miles away.    They induced her (not a nice thing and only done in emergencies) but it was too   big to turn in her so they had to anaesthetize her and hoist her up to get the   foal out.  Unsurprisingly it was nearly dead, full of fluid from lungs to   afterbirth, absolutely HUGE, but very unfleshed. i.e. hardly ready to be born.   It was a non starter to live so we are up one (hopefully) and down one.  Of   course it was a filly by Taloubet, just what we had hoped. The Equine Centre did   a p.m. and said they had never seen such a big foal even from a shire.    Poor little Vixen, her belly is still dropped and the outlook is not good.    E.T. is a possiblitly if we were in a financial and physical way to do it as she   is worth it. 

But c'e st la vie.

APRIL 2005

Kiri, my designer dog

 

Kiri under her favourite bush.

 

This foal we never   thought we would see alive. Rosie (Suma's Sky's Ablaze) was   sick throughout her pregnancy, legs swelling, stiff and   miserable and as you can see her tail fell out.  But the   reward for 11 months nursing was a super colt by Chellano Z   and Rosie now feeling much better.     

 

Another of Chello   (Cloudburst Z) with a friend looking on

 

Suma's Fanny Brice looking raw has now gone with Surprise and her mother Legacy to be reared in Holland. Both are by Arkansas and Fanny's full brother Von Trapp already at the VDL and now 3 is showing a super jump. It was very sad to see them go but they went with the 3 irish bred colts that the VDL bought last autumn, 2 by Ard VDL Douglas and one by Touchdown.

 

Suma's Surprise

 

 

Suma's Legacy with   Susie, due to foal in June when, very sadly Ashfield Estate,   home of Suma Stud for twenty eight years and family home of   the Power's will be auctioned on the 21st June 2005.   The Sales Auctioneers are Collier Jackson Stops of   Dublin, Tel 01 6333700, John Hamilton handling it.

 

The newest toy,   Socks, a Tibetan Spaniel (mostly!) A real sweetheart, cheeky   and very intelligent, now 15 weeks old.   

 

Rosie with Chello aged 6 hours.

 

 

MARCH 2005

TALOUBET   made his first ever   appearance at an important show in the Future Stallion category in Zwolle.    The VDL Stud and ourselves were thrilled with how he went and behaved   considering he had no 4 year old career behind him, nor stallion   test.

In the first qualifier he jumped a super clear then   had one down in the timed jump off, finishing 7th. But the penalty for going fast showed up in his inexperience the next day when he had one down in the first round.  Sadly   this meant he could not compete in the Final.

Archie had a rare off form show, he did the fastest   time the first day but had the last down and the same the next day.  His   first Dutch bred foals are already on the ground and delighting his patrons.

- - -

A very happy owner, Star Burton in Zimbabwe with Zeus, a 5 y.o. stallion son of Glenagyle Rebel and a T.B. mare. Just the type he went out there to produce!

Zeus is very light on his feet, just like his Dad.

FEBRUARY 2005

We are delighted that both VDL ARKANSAS and TALOUBET are going to compete in the International Stallion Competitions at Zwolle next month.  We hope to be there to see them.
 
We are also very pleased that our friends at Ard Cherrymount Stud have just taken delivery of 2 super horses for the 2005 season.  Now that we aren't standing the VDL stallions we are making sure they have the best available to Irish breeders. Ard VDL Douglas has been outstanding so far and we expect the young Indoctro/Cor de la Bryere 4 year old to follow in his and Archie's footsteps.  NATAL is KWPN approved with a phenomenal pedigree, and is only available due to not being able to continue jumping.
 
HUNTINGFIELD REBEL is in the best of form, loving the attention from all the females, both human and equine, as the sole stallion on the farm. Good news also of Murphy in the U.K.   Lots of enquiries for him in Essex and still riding away with Natalie Smith."

Stud fees and Keep charges 2005

JANUARY 2005

Look who's riding again!

Susie and Disco return from a hack, Disco, now 16, has not been ridden since she was 6.  She is delighted to be in action again.

Bellevue Arkan Ridge by VDL Arkansas ex Bellevue Toy Story by Hail Station.  Owned by Ruth Loney and to be jumped in 2005 by John McGuinness.

Read our NEWS 2004

Read our NEWS 2003

Read our NEWS 2002

Stud Fees and keep charges