In the beginning...

My interest in riding ponies started at age twelve, with my parent’s purchase of my second pony ‘Vanderford Rhain’, in 1980, who happened to be registered with the RPSB.

His purchase was more good luck than management, as at the time we were complete novices, however he turned out to become a very successful pony and very much ahead of his time in type.  At our first Melbourne Royal, he placed second in his open saddle class, and later in his career was to win at both Sydney and Brisbane royals with the Collins family. That was the year that has launched a life long obsession, and was the precursor for Rosedale Riding ponies.

In that same year, we went over to the Melbourne showground’s to the Edenvale and Kirreway sale where we met Eric Dudley for the first time; and shortly after the sale purchased our first of many foals from Eric, Kirreway Levane, a black yearling by Rotherwood Commander (imp) who was also riding pony registered, and went on be extremely successful led, including a Champion at Adelaide Royal, and later under saddle. 

Eric encouraged us to show at the Victorian Riding Pony Pageant, at first at the Geelong showground’s and then at Werribee Park.  In 1982 Rhain was sashed Champion Ridden Riding Pony 12.2–14 at the Pageant, which was an enormous thrill, before being beaten for supreme by Vicky Lawrie (then Ward) and Rotherwood Acrobat (imp).  Even at such a young age Acrobat made a great impression on me, and I have remained one of his biggest fans.

In 1983 we purchased our first of many 'Acrobat's', a yearling filly Kirreway Olivia from the imported mare Zephrin Easter Bonnet (imp), whom is still with us today and has formed the foundation of the stud. Olivia had a short but successful show career, winning her novice and open at Melbourne Royal in 1987, before retiring to stud.  

n 1985, a second Acrobat filly was purchased, from another imported mare Downland Jacinth, and she too went on to win at royal level, winning her novice and open Galloway classes at Adelaide royal in 1990, before being sold to the Munt family with whom she won the Ladies Galloway a few years later.  Romance will return to be covered by Kolbeach Sensational in the spring

...and a stud is born...

Although the beginnings of this stud occurred almost twenty years ago with the purchase of Kirreway Olivia, it was only in early 2001 that I decided that with Olivia, her two daughters Serenity and Ribbons, and her granddaughter Picture, that I had four very nice and well bred mares with which to start a small stud.  It was then that I went in search of a colt, and was fortunate enough to purchase from Ange Penalurick the beautifully bred ‘Kolbeach Sensational’, by Camargue Tribute (imp) (Holly of Spring x Keston Tribune) out of the highly successful Syon Sensation (imp) (Rosevale Serenity x Keston Tribune).

It was only six months later that we were able to take another huge leap, when to opportunity arose to purchase three imported mares from the LJS dispersal being Colbeach Simone (imp), Syon Serenade (imp) and LJS Royal Secret (iiu), with both Simone and Serenade being in foal to the renowned Fairley Tempest (imp).

 Recently another imported mare Hamptonne Heaven Sent (imp), a half sister to Hamptonne Prince of Thieves was also acquired, as well as a daughter of the beautiful Westacre Coppelia (imp), King Lodge Pomme Noissette who is by Janinos Little Joker (imp).

I have always loved young horses, particularly ponies and enjoyed breaking them, selling them on to show homes, and seeing them go on to bigger and better things.  I have been fortunate to have owned a number of royal show winners, including Vanderford Rhain, Kirreway Quazar, Kirreway Wentworth, Willurah Showtime, Kirreway Olivia, Kirreway Romance, Tallyrand Celebration, Watercolours, Caribou, Tissot as well as the multi Royal Champion Hyde Park, and have always enjoyed beautiful horses.  Running a busy restaurant, it is now too difficult to compete at all the major royal shows, so I feel breeding will be a great way to stay in touch.

With a small band of outstanding mares with all imported breeding, our aim is to breed show ponies of the highest quality.

- Christine Comley

Vanderford Rhain

Kirreway Romance

Caribou

Tissot

Hyde Park

Watercolours