History
My interest in riding ponies started at age
twelve, with my parent’s purchase of my second pony ‘VanderfordRhain’,
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,
KirrewayLevane, 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.
In 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.
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 AngePenalurick 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).
Simone’s foal is of course Rosedale Tempting.
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 under saddle, including VanderfordRhain,
KirrewayQuazar, 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 and accommodation facility, as well as having
two young sons, it is now too difficult to compete at all the major
royal shows, but I now get enormous pleasure out of my homebred ponies
winning at the highest level all over the country.
Christine Comley
