Amora

Status: For Sale

Bred on site from the Spanish parents of Roma and Julepe, Amora is a quality mare that has particularly nice conformation and a lovely nature.  Graded as a three year old, Amora then bred us one lovely Spanish filly foal by Jocoso before joining our riding school, providing a lovely, quality ladies mount.

This mare has come on leaps and bounds, she has the most amazing scope and ablity. Amora is incredibly willing and doesn’t have mareish tendencies.

Ballyragget

Riding School/For Sale

This horse is a brilliant hunter with the kindest nature. Bally has hunted for 4 seasons and been XC schooling several times with numerous members of staff. A forward going and thinking horse who is reliable and safe.

Bally was recommended to us and has proven to be the unusual combination of being both safe and sensible enough for a first-time owner/or beginner rider, whilst also having enough about him for the more skilled rider to enjoy. 

Handsome with quality and substance, Bally has three correct and active paces suitable to be successful in pure dressage, yet also jumps anything and everything, and has proven himself to also be an able and bold hunter who becomes better and better at this job every time he goes out. 

Not least is his lovely sensitive nature which results in him being a pleasure to handle and ride.  100% sound, hack-out, jump all types of fences, load, clip, handle, etc.  and able to carry up to 16+ stone.  A very easy, unusual horse who can carry a beginner rider of any weight calmly and safely yet also give highly experienced riders a thrill when he is asked to provide more.  These photos do not begin to do him justice!

Bally Cross Country Schooling 2011

 

Bertrum

Status: Riding School

Bertrum, officially called “Bertie Killingshurst”, is a horse born in the “purple” with two parents that have exceptional records for producing offspring that compete at the very highest echelons in Eventing.

To give you an idea, his half-brother (from the same sire) Midnight Monarch ridden by Andrew Hoy, won Badminton 2006 whilst his other half-brother from the same dam (much more unusual) Lord Killingshurst ridden by Andrew Nicholson, came second.

Bertrum may have showed all the promise but he never made the grade and his patient owner who had bought him as a two year old permanently loaned Bertrum to us in 2003.   Thereafter our Lorna evented him for a few years before realising that Bert only wanted a peaceful life and is happiest when allowed to potter around at Lavant!

Blake

Status: Currently In Training

For Sale

Height: 15.3hh
YOB: 2008
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Piebald
Breed: Irish
Owner: LHS
Price: £4,750

Blake was purchased direct from Southern Ireland March 2013 along with Johnny Irish, Jasper, Bentley and Bailey.

At that time he looked a sensible type, of the size and build we were looking for and when ridden just got on with the job in a very busy environment, even though clearly quite green – which included honestly jumping a fence at an extreme angle that would have impressed top class event riders!  Nice, sensible and safe horse we thought and bought him.

When we got him home we found he was something a bit more than we realised, with more quality, movement and character than the “nice” (probably tired) horse we saw in Ireland.  With a lovely uphill way of going, comfortable, impressive paces and a fast, willing learner to boot, he has rapidly turned into a much more exciting prospect than we originally envisioned.

Blake is the type of horse that could go on and do anything (bar racing and polo which require light boned horses).  Good looking, well conformed and well marked, he has three excellent active paces, is athletic on the flat and over a fence, but is equally sensible and comfortable to ride.  So everyone’s choice really, whether someone learning to ride, first time owner, game for anything owner or professional show rider.

Bluebell

Status: Elite Livery

Height: 16 hh
YOB: 2005
Gender: Mare
Colour: Skewbald (grey & white)
Breed: Irish Cob
Owner: Lizzie Douglas

This handsome mare was bought from Goresbridge Sales in Ireland along with Timmy and Kenny, despite the fact we definitely didn’t want a mare!  We couldn’t resist her, having such presence and ticking every other box, which was to be a well proportioned weight-carrier (a horse able to carry 16 stone+) with an equable temperament. 

(Safely) energetic with every job we ask of her in the arena, where Bluebell really excels is hacking-out and we constantly receive praise on her delightful manner in this area.  Due to this skill Bluebell has also been hunted regularly, always receiving much praise for her poise and decorum out in the field.  Such a dab-hand is Bluebell becoming on the hunting field, she now has an important role introducing staff and clients alike to this sport – which she loves, does calmly and behaves impeccably.  In fact if Bluebell could get herself ready and put herself in the horsebox to go hunting, she would!

A popular horse who continues to win herself many fans – regardless of rider experience or ability.

Just arrived 2010Christmas Eve Meet 2011

Hunting at Coombelands 2011

Cruz

Status: Spanish Breeding Stock

For Sale/For Loan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tmO0f6c8oM&list=UU3ZnyQEmpWBWRvIMkxb2OQA&index=1

Height: 15.1 hh
YOB: 2008
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Dark grey
Breed: PRE – Pure Bred Graded Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS
Price: £4,500

Cruz is another produce of our Spanish stallion Julepe and Spanish mare Kalia and is therefore a full-brother to Amorio.  Because he has particularly good conformation and three fabulous paces the intention was to keep him entire, but sadly he just didn’t grow enough for our purposes and whilst perfect in many respects he is just too small for our breeding programme.  Therefore he was gelded at two years old and  will eventually, once old enough, will be introduced to our riding school.

Probably the most straight-forward Andalusian we have bred, Cruz is uncomplicated and easy in every way.  Would all horses and ponies be as low-cost, easy and amicable as this one!

Cruz has been profesionally broken and has been allowed to mature due to his pocket-size size. He is quiet in every sense.

Dia

Status: Spanish Breeding Stock

Height: 16 hh+ at maturity
YOB: 2009
Gender: Mare
Colour: (Greying) Dun
Breed: Park-Bred PRE (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS

We managed to have two foals from our palomino Spanish stallion Andy before we lost him and Dia is probably the better example of the two due to her outstanding conformation – the other Andy filly being Diva.   Out of Saucy, Dia has a much calmer demeanor than her mother, so quite definitely takes after her Dad.   However she is also a lot more demanding than either parent or her sister so we think we have muddled-up the names of Andy’s two offspring!

Like her sister, Dia is a fantastic mover with a great temprement. 

Dique

Status: Working Livery

Height: 16.2 hh
DOB: 8.4.01
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Grey
Breed: Pure Bred Graded Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owners: Ella Guimaraens

Now this is an interesting one. With the official Spanish name of Dique (pronounced DK) he was an expensive import from Spain as an un-backed three year old stallion, purchased with the intention of using him as a breeding stallion with our Spanish stock.

Unfortunately as a stallion he proved to be lethal on the ground regardless of whether this was with other horses or people. Within a month of arrival he escaped from his field and broke Julepe’s jaw and that was by far the final straw – Dique was as a consequence promptly sent to the vets for a gender change operation!

He is typical of the Spanish horse in that he loves to be doing something and ideally all of the time.  Consequently he has been competed seriously in dressage, show jumping and One Day Events, as well as successfully hunted for several seasons.  In 2011 he was lucky to find Ella Guimaraens as his owner – much deserved for this wonderful horse who does it all and is always willing to please.

Diva

Status: Spanish Breeding Stock

Height: 16 hh+ at maturity
YOB: 2009
Gender: Mare
Colour: (Greying) Dun
Breed: Park-Bred PRE (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS

We managed to have two foals from our stunning palomino Spanish stallion Andy before we lost him and Diva has thankfully inherited his amazing temperament, plus some of his highly unusual coat colour genes to pass on to her own offspring.  Out of Kalia, Diva has always played second-fiddle to her sister, the more bossy and glamorous Dia, but undoubtedly has the better movement of the two so is definitely going to come into her own as an adult.

Will be backed in the Spring of 2013. Both Diva and her sisters have the most fantastic movement thanks to their father Andy.

Edita

Status: Spanish Breeding Stock

Height: 16 hh+ at maturity
YOB: 2010
Gender: Mare
Colour: (Greying) Black
Breed:  PRE – Pure Bred Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS

Edita is our first offspring of the “bred in the purple” black Andalusian stallion Jocoso who is owned by one of the top Spanish horse breeders in this country.  Out of our homebred Spanish mare Amora, Edita is beautifully classic in type as a foal and therefore we have high hopes for her as an adult.

Euro

Status: Spanish Breeding Stock

Height: 16.2 hh+ at maturity
YOB: 2010
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Dark Grey
Breed: Andalusian x Irish Draught
Owner: LHS

By the Irish Draught stallion Milligan, and the last foal we were to have out of wonderful Spanish Broodmare Kalia, Euro was our first experiment with cross-breeding, which in this instance was to cross our two favourite breeds of horse – the Andalusian with the Irish Draught.  Born a grown-up, Euro is one of those horses who is almost impossible to ignore, having the contradictory characteristics of almost uncanny calm and maturity against wanting to be cuddled and petted.  Euro is also huge so it is going to be really interesting to see what he looks like when finally grows up.

Both Amanda and Amelia cannot wait to start backing him in the Autumn of 2013. This horse has ‘the look of lions’ about him and certainly stands out from his fellow field members, he also has a lovely temprament. He is already 15.3hh (ish) at just two years old and still growing.

Fe

Status:  Spanish Breeding Stock

Height: 16 hh+ at maturity
YOB: 2011
Gender: Filly
Colour: Black
Breed: PRE – Pure Bred Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS

Finally after years of trying we have bred a solid coloured Spanish Horse.  Fe is out of Bonita and by the top class Spanish breeding stallion in GB, Jocoso.  Whilst Jocoso is black we have had a predominence of grey genes in our Spanish breeding stock at Lavant (and as is typical in Spain), but thankfully our past breeding stallion Julepe also happens to possess the black gene which he luckily passed on down through his daughter Bonita (out of Saucy), finally to Fe.

Fe is the sweetest filly that we have ever bred, she is kind and gentle and is well looked after by her big sisters!

A lovely, classic, quality foal Fe cannot help but please the educated horseman’s eye whenever you look at her – and this has nothing to do with her actual coat colour!  A very exciting breeding development for us at Lavant.

Fraser

Status:  Riding School

For Sale/For Loan

Height:  15.2 hh
YOB: 2001
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Tri-Coloured (dark brown, black and white)
Breed: Irish Middleweight
Owner: LHS
Price: £4,250
The wonderful Fraser has progressed many riders since during the years he has been with us.  Skilled on the flat and over fences, he is fundamentally a sensitive horse which has proven a huge hit for most that have had the pleasure of riding him. 

Fraser has also been out and seen much of life, such as competing in all three disciplines, cross-country schooling, hunting and sponsored rides.  His owner of many years, Helena has learnt much with this lovely horse and it is only due to her being off to Uni that this special boy finds himself on the market – ideally to remain at Lavant House Stables, but this is not essential.  The most important thing is to find a suitable new owner who can provide an excellent home to this very special horse.

Good to box, clip, shoe, catch, handle, etc. fully vacinated, sound and fit, Fraser is suitable as a first or second horse to a caring home.

Fraser going for it cross county .....

Fraser & Helena at Horse Show 2011Fraser competing Pony Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fraser competing Pony Club

Goliath

Status: Riding School

For Loan

Height: 17.1hh
YOB: 1998
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Grey
Breed: Irish
Owner: LHS

Goliath came to us through a good friend of our Chief Instructor, Amanda, due to his encroaching years meaning he needed to wind down what was expected of him.  A wonderful schoolmaster who despite his age is unusually still loose in his way of going, Goliath has proved a great hit from the moment he walked in the yard.  A handsome horse who keeps himself remarkably white (thank goodness) he has a simply fabulous temperament and really is a true gentle giant.

Hugh

Status: Riding School

Height:  16.1hh
YOB:  2006
Gender:  Gelding
Colour:  Chestnut
Breed:  Irish Sports Horse
Owner: LHS
This is an interesting horse that has top Irish bloodlines on both sides, being Arctic Cue on one and King of Diamonds on the other.   Flashy to look at with his bright chestnut coat, white blaze and legs, he has a workmanlike way of going and has to be one of the most level-headed horses ever.  Nothing fazes Hugh, and whilst he is a perfect gentleman when ridden the same cannot always be said of him when out in his field where he definitely wants to be the king-pin!  

There are not many horses who want to to look after their rider as much as Hugh does, unsurprisingly because of this he has become an instant hit with everyone privileged to ride him.

Good to box, clip, shoe, catch, handle, hack, etc.  Hugh is also fully up to date to vacinations, teeth checks, etc.  Suitable for teenage or adult rider.   Sadly Hugh has some unsoundness issues which means he is only suitable for light work and he will not pass a veterianry process. 

Hugh is the ideal “hack”, quality, well trained and sensible. 

Hugh Pony Club One Day Event 2011

Hugh at horse show 2011

Hugh just arrived

Jigsaw

Status: Riding School/For Loan as a Half Share

Height: 14.3 hh
YOB: 1996
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Skewbald (brown and white)
Breed: Irish Cob
Owner: LHS & Half-Sharer Isabella Woolnough

Jigsaw is of the useful size that can carry an adult or a child.  With his kind and gentle nature he has successfully introduced many people to the art of horse riding and is always a popular too as a first horse for our livery clients.

He has now successfully introduced three young ladies into horse ownership as their “first horse” and in such a confident fashion that all three have moved on to much higher and better things within the equestrian field.  Jigsaw has proven time and time again he is worth his weight in gold and really is that rarity – the true confidence building equine.

Jim

Status: Staff Livery

Height: 17 hh
YOB: 2007
Gender: Gelding
Colour:  Chestnut
Breed: Irish Sport Horse
Owner: Amelia Thomson

Our unexpected purchase from Ireland, this beautiful horse was hard to resist when spotted by Lucy attending the Cavan Sales in 2012.  Bred quite definitely in the purple, this gelding is by the renowned French stallion Guidam who had a short career as a stallion due to a tragic early death.  Two of his offspring won medals in Bejiing Show Jumping (Luidam and Authentic) and Jim’s dam is by probably the most famous Irish stallion of all, Clover Hill.  

A fantastic horse to look at, Jim’s athletic paces outstrip his looks, and even more remarkably he has the such an equable temperament you could put your granny on him.  Bought to event, he is one of those rare quality horses who can probably turn his hoof to most jobs, providing they sit with his size!  

Kilkenny

Status: Elite Livery

Height: 15.2 hh
YOB: 2005
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Breed/Type: 1/2 Irish Draught & 1/2 Thoroughbred
Owner: Mrs Sarah Cotty

A good-looking, quality small horse who is of a type that tends to be bred by accident rather than design. 

Kenny has a big personality coupled with a type of presence which means you can never fail to notice him, wherever he is and whatever he is doing.  Kenny may have started with us in the riding school, but it became clear very quickly that Kenny and his (now) owner Sarah established a special realtionship very early on. 

Would most of us “horse-owners” wish we could develop such a close relationship with our horse almost immediately.

Knight

Status: Working Livery

Height: 15hh
YOB: 2003
Gender: Gelding
Colour:  Grey
Breed: Connemara
Owner: Alejandra de Brunner

This eye catching schoolmaster is a fantastic step up for Alex from her much loved pony Domonic. Knight is a good all rounder, having competed in all Pony Club disciplines so you’re sure to see Alex having lots of fun on him this summer.

Penelope

Status: Semi-Elite Livery

Height: 15hh
YOB: 2006
Gender: Mare
Colour:  Bay
Breed: Connemara
Owner: Phoebe Goodale

Pop Eye

Status: Foal

Pop Eye and Quinn are half brothers as they share the same sire – Harlequinn Du Carel. As we liked Quinn so much we thought we would have a look at this little chap, he is the friendliest and smartest foal and we cannot wait to watch him grow and mature into a nice young horse.

Quinn

The "handsome boy"!

Status: Staff Livery

Height:  16.2 hh
YOB:  2007
Gender:  Gelding
Colour:  Dark Brown
Breed:  Irish Sports Horses (Irish x Selle Francais)
Owner:  Amelia Thomson

Quinn was an unexpected bonus when we travelled up to the mid-country in the autumn of 2011 to look at an event horse with form to help Amelia gain more experience in this discipline.  Having finally got to the location we learned from the owner of the “in-form” event horse had misbehaved with another young potential purchaser that morning and she was not prepared to sell him to Amelia.  

So to make use of the journey we opted to view the seller’s youngstock instead, which was initially carried out in a rather desultory manner because another young and inexperienced horse was not what we were looking for.  The fourth horse pulled out for our inspection was Quinn and rather like love at first sight, sometimes you just know instantly this is the one.   Unsure after seeing him first ridden as he was a bit “fiesty” as Amelia called it, this opinion was swiftly changed on seeing him jump and his fate with us was sealed the minute she sat on Quinn - this was a match made in heaven. 

Quinn’s competition name has been changed to Mr Google to go with Dr Pepper (as in Pepper – Amelia’s other young horse) and probably should have been called Mr Nosey – he wants to know about everything and anything going on around him.  He also has the most amazingly trainable temperament, so much so that when I first worked him myself I quipped that if he were a human I would employ him like a shot, so amazing is his work ethic.

Aimed at 2012 BE Training and Intro classes we will also definitely be campaigning this lovely young horse in the prestigious Burghley Young Event Horse Series.  And as they say: “watch this space”!

Amelia with her 3 "boys" - l to r - Salt, Quinn & Pepper

Roma

Status: Riding School

For Sale/For Loan

Height: 15.3 hh
YOB:  2002
Gender: Mare
Colour: Grey
Breed: PRE – Pure Bred Graded Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owner: LHS

Roma came to us as a bit of an afterthought when we were seeking a top quality Iberian brood mare from Spain through the highly respected Spanish Horse Agent Miriam Frenk.

The brood mare, Kalia, duly arrived with Sacristana (Saucy) at foot, and after viewing video footage, so did the yearling Romantica from the same well known Spanish Horse Stud. 

From the day she arrived Roma has supported the well known equestrian philosophy that “an exceptional mare is better than any gelding”.  For example, during her formative years Roma was the star pupil of  southern Natural Horsemanship displays under the tutelege of the renowned NH trainer, Rio Barrett. 

Once backed and being ridden Roma has consistently proven to be popular with all abilities of rider – probably because she just does it all.  Whether you want to do dressage, show jumping, eventing, hunt, sponsored rides, etc. or just have a jolly good friend, Roma will always make a serious effort to fit the bill.

Roo

Status: Elite Livery

Height: 15.2 hh
YOB: 2001
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Breed: Thoroughbred x Irish Draught
Owner: Mrs Claire Pennycook

Dear Roo arrived with Fraser and both of these horses have proven to be absolutely irreplaceable.  90% of horse-owners in this country would give their eye-teeth for a Roo (or a Fraser for that matter) because they can do anything, are 100% straightforward to ride, are also lovely on the eye and even lovelier to have around even if just as a friend!  Such a pity we don’t know how they are bred otherwise I am sure LHS would be hot-footing it out to Ireland to buy both parents!

Rufus

Status: Riding school/Working Livery

Height: 15 hh
YOB: 2006
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Grey
Breed: Irish
Owner: Evelyn Sadler

Rufus arrived showing a lot of potential and has proved to be good to handle and a keen jumper. Although he is still being assessed for the riding school at the moment, he’s already a firm favourite amongst the staff.

Saucy

Status: Staff Livery

Height: 16.1 hh
YOB: 2003
Gender: Mare
Colour: Roan Grey
Breed: PRE – Pure Bred Graded Spanish Horse (Andalusian)
Owner: Jess Callander

Saucy came over to us from Spain as a foal at foot to Kalia and has over the past few years bred us two super Spanish foals as well as competently got on with her ridden work.

Typical of this breed, Saucy is multi-talented and is able to perform successfully in any type of equestrian discipline, which is why she remains with us as a staff-owned horse with Jess.

Sam

Status: Working Livery

Height: 15 hh
YOB: 2004
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Grey
Breed: Irish
Owner: Molly Briggs

Sam is a brilliant step up for Molly from her much-loved Polo. Another well put together grey, Sam is very willing and always tries his hardest with whatever his rider asks of him. He has a good background in all disciplines, so we’re sure he and Molly will go far.

Silver

Status: Working Livery

Height: 14.3 hh
YOB: 2005
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Dapple Grey
Breed: Connemara
Owner: Mrs Jacqui King

This stocky, friendly pony is the ideal “family pony” because anyone and everyone can ride him.  Small enough for a child but strong enough to carry a reasonably sized adult, Silver is as straight forward as they come.  Silver hacks out safely, jumps all types of fences including cross country, is schooled on the flat and regularly competes in all types of Pony Club activities.  Couple this with his lovely nature and ease to handle on the ground, he really is an ideal first or second pony/horse. 

Smithy

Status: Elite Livery

Height: 16.1 hh
YOB: 1996
Gender: Gelding
Colour: Bay
Breed: 7/8ths Thoroughbred
Owner: Mrs Sandra Young

Dear Smithy is the much loved horse of our livery Sandra.  When he first came he seemed to skip through one injury or accident to another, which Sandra patiently worked with to bring him back to full health.  Fingers-crossed, after the first year this spate of injuries has ceased and Sandra is now fully enjoying everything Smithy has to offer – this very handsome and kind horse who is the perfect gentleman and certainly the perfect first horse for Sandra.

Toddy

Status: Staff Livery

Height:  16 hh
YOB: 1978
Gender: Mare
Colour: Chestnut
Breed: Thoroughbred x Hanoverian
Owner: Ms Nicola Collins

There is no mistake with the horse’s year of birth given above – this is one incredibly old mare, who is kept healthily alive by the dedicated care of Nicola and our team. Toddy is  from one of the first “warm-blood” stallions to stand in this country, the Duellist line.

Winston

Status: Riding School

For Sale/For Loan

Height: 16.2hh
YOB: 2005
Gender: Gelding
Colour:  Grey
Breed: Irish Draught
Owner: LHS

Lucy picked up the lovely Winston at a horse sales in Ireland in July 2012 along with Jim. Originally from a riding school in Ireland, Winston knows his job and has a lovely temperament to go with it. Particularly good to hack, we love taking him up on the South Downs for a good blast.