THE BREEDER

"Who or what plays the most important role in the life of a horse? 
The rider, coach, groom, the housing, feeding... They are all very 
crucial and legitimate, but the role of the breeder puts this all in 
the shade. Nobody but the breeder is of such an importance to 
the use and capacity of the horse. The breeder influences the 
functionality, confirmation, gaits and performances. The outcome 
you see is the product of all the work that has been done in the
past. And it bears fruit in the future. Matching bloodlines may not 
be the most eye-catching job, but it is the most rewarding one. 
Even when someone else gets the applause..."
[© Abraham A van der Zijden

 As Schnapps has taken on so much work away from home Active Equestrian have enlisted the help of a new International trainer.....Frau Zuma....Please contact Active to book lessons....... Schnapps is also available by request for appoved clients

 Daisy born chestnut has decided its a little common to be the same as her field mate AND is on the turn!

first trip abroad for the pair...best of Brits 2 days running. Most importantly both arrived home happy!!

Great Excitement!  Mercedes our great broodmare has booked her trip on Tuesday to go and visit Totilas in the Netherlands.  Roll on 2011!

 Just had the news that Active Leo Fritz 10years  (by Londonderry) has been accepted onto the World Class Equine Pathway.  This is for horses thought to have the ability not just to compete at International Grand Prix level but for those thought to have the ability of being on a medal winning team for Great Britain.  He is a tall horse that we have taken slowly since purchasing him as a rising 6 year old.  He has a piaffe that you feel you could sit all day on and an amazing work ethic....fingers crossed for the future!

 Donkey (sorry I named her) not because of her ears but because she was born with a complete cross on her back..although her ears have now caught up!  She is by Fidermark out of Active Royal Lady (Royal Angelo x Wenzel) has just had a fabulous colt by Vivaldi.  I understand it is the only Vivaldi foal due in England this year.  He was born strong and tall being over 2 weeks late.

 First time out since coming 3rd at the National Dressage Champiionships 2009 Active S Express continues his success.  Coming 2nd in a large class of International 5 year olds our homebred Express danced his way to the Championships to be held at Hickstead International/Premier League.  He is out of our great mare Mercedes (Manolito x Sion x Pik Trumpf) and by Siberian Express.

 1 week old! Little Daisy by Quaterback out of the wonderful mare Molly by Fidermark.  A little chestnut blessing for Kate her owner.  We wish Kate all of our love for her upcoming fight.........

It's all about Linsay (her sister) and I!!!!

Roll on the 16th...Linsay riding Active Maybach and I am riding Active Leo Fritz for consideration for the World Class Equine pathway.

Well done Susi and Walero 3rd of the British!  Loads of mistakes, different fron the previous ones!  but so proud considering everything going wrong in warmup and Susi kept her concentration and cool for the competition!!  She is a cool customer...... Waleo is enjoying being her top priority getting taken out of the stable at least 3 times a day to be pampered and spoilt...no more than he deserves!

Susi has started her campaign on Walero by winning the PSG at Patchetts Equestrian Centre with 68.55%!!

" I felt that I could have done better" said the pragmatic Susi............... Remember that you have only ridden him 9 times Susi !!!!

Off to Team training and then Addington International!

Brown lab Henry, Fiona's wonderful loyal friend has passed away. In this picture you will see his happy and smiling nature.  He will be missed by all.

It is with great thanks to the sponsors of Project Walero that have made this possible!!  Chiltern Equine Clinic and Winergy are sponsoring Walero for one year. Fiona Price the founder of Horse Hero will aim to have a lesson each week to aim Walero for FEI tests later on this year whilst Susi Coleridge Smith will run with the gauntlet early on in the year to try for the Young rider European Championships!

Nicola said " Walero is so not ready to retire but equally he has nothing left to prove to me.  It gives me so much pleasure to see him pass on his knowledge to other riders and yet be able to keep him at home where he is so happy"  They may get to ride him but I still have the sloppy banana cuddle before I go to bed each night!!  Who could ask for more?"

Please follow progress on  http://horsehero.com/celebrity-blog?CelebId=1671

 We have just received the news that we are to be one of the chosen to have a mare going to the wonder horse Moorlands Totilas this year.

The lovely Walera who is a full sister to Nicola's Olympic horse Walero will be winding her way to the Netherlands end of April.  Fingers crossed!!!  "At least I think it will piaffe" said a very excited Nicola!!

A fantastic outing for Active Equestrian horses at Patchetts on Monday 8th January 2010.

Active Royal Lady with Linsay Coleridge Smith won the Advanced Mediums

Active Maybach also with Linsay was second in the mediums

Active Valentino won the PSG with Nicola McGivern

Active Weltino won the Inter II with Deborah Collins

Active Private Dancer was second in the GP with Nicola

Roll on 2010!!

Babies enjoying the sun. Newest is the bay Sir Donnerhall filly out of Naomi (Escudo x Matcho AA)

Light grey mare is Mercedes (Manolito x Sion) she is the mother of both of the other colts. Large white face is by Furst Romancier and was carried by Rebel. The other colt is by Sir Donnerhall and carried by Mercedes herself.

Once the ground softened, the yearlings could go out again and certainly enjoyed their first encounter with the snow!

Click the read more link to see the four of them at play.

On the 20th January we were excited to see that Tesser was going to have her foal almost two weeks overdue, she had kept us waiting with anticipation.  Little did we know what a traumatic and harrowing week was to follow.

It was clear after only 10 minutes that all was not well with Tessers foaling and the vet was called. Despite all of our fight and best efforts we could not save her.  She was a wonderful mare very gentle and kind.  Our thoughts are with her understanding owners Tremlows Stud.

If it had not been for the vets from Chiltern Equine we would not have a foal, who was delivered by C section seconds after losing Tesser.  Thanks go to my absolutely amazing staff and husband who helped deal with something I pray we never have to deal with again.  

Thanks also go to the amazing Johanna Vardon from National foaling bank who found the lovely foster mother Chess (a Welsh Section D maiden mare who had just lost her foal) and who told us in great detail how to make a successful introduction.  The Welsh owner  Mr Hefin Williams who drove his mare 8 hours to The Royal Veterinary College at Potters Bar to see if she and the little fella would bond, stopping only to milk her.  Also his neighbour, Mr Peter Jones who co-ordinated everything.  The fabulous staff at Potters Bar who sat up for days giving such special care, although giving me almost no hope initially!!  My friends and all from The British Dressage forum who gave me support both in the form of cyber and real hugs.

The little fella is now nicknamed Lucky until a more suitable name is found!  He and his new mother have been home now since Thursday and today was the first day they ventured outside and the first day I allowed myself some hope.  He is incredibly strong and his mother a great mover who loves him and does not look out of place on a dressage yard, although she is rather smaller than the others!   She has huge intelligent eyes and a kind giving nature not unlike Tesser,  I could not think of a better foster mother for Lucky.  Our fingers are still firmly and tightly crossed.

Click the read more link to see the first photos of Lucky and his new Mum.

Active Walero scored 70% in the Grand Prix and over 72% in the kur at the National Championships.

More to follow.

Winning the Elmentary qualifier at Addington with a massive score just short of 75% with Active Maybach and also the Novice with Active Baroncelli!! Well done Linsay!

Linsay Colleridge did a great job for Active Equestrian winning Novice with 72% with Active Baroncelli and Medium with Active Maybach!

Negotiations have been tough but finally both parties have reached an agreement and Active Equestrian's new trainer is now on board.  Of course when looking for a new trainer it is wise to learn from the best so we settled for a German.  The aim is to now look towards London 2012........oh sorry I meant German Schnauzer!  Read more to see her accreditation!

A new International dressage trainer has been secured by Active Equestrian. Seen training at Hickstead International everyone was impressed......more details to follow.

Fate dealt a crushing blow at Hartpury International. Walero was massively on form, felt amazing and was definately in with a chance....unfortunately that was before we arrived. On the day of the trot up he felt a little flat to ride and the same for the warm up for the test.  By the last centre line instead of doing his partypiece of his exceptional piaffe he halted!! By the next morning he was breathing very heavily and the vet could hear fluid on his lungs. What an amazing horse to have managed any of the test. Coupled with that our small tour horse had been bitten by a fly which meant, as it was under the saddle, we could not compete him either. We made our dejected journey home. 

A vacancy has arisen for a British Dressage Apprentice. Check out the jobs section for more details.

At Oldencraig equestrian Centre Private Dancer danced his way through the Grand Prix to win. "More still to come we hope" said Nicola

Due to the high number of requests for a better version of the Lingen Kur video with the sound correctly synchronised, we are pleased to include the high quality version in our new "Featured Video" section.

Have a look at our video section to see Walero's Kur in Lingen. "First time under spotlights for Walero and he was fabulous" said a very emotional Nicola who is rejoicing after Walero having 2 years off with injury.  Unfortunately the video and music do not run at exactly the same time  although on the night it was spot on, wonders of modern technology! All results to be posted soon.....

On Thursday at 00.50 in the morning Mary, deciding not to be left out, joined Armani in the joke and delivered a brother to Walero.  Another sleepless night for John who in between his midwifery duties only has his own Company to run as well.....who needs sleep?

Nicola received a text whilst in Lingen with words to the effect "well you picked a great time to go away" or similar to that anyway!!

* 14/6/08 His very first video appearance can be seen in the Video section

On Wednesday the 28th of May at 9.10 in the morning, Walero's first sister was born.  Although not due until next week, we think that Armani (the recipient mare) thought it funny that she wait until the usual midwife (namely Nicola), had driven out of the yard on the way to Lingen with Walero, to choose her time to give birth!  Luckily Nicola's husband John was there to give a helping hand and calm the beating hearts of those in the yard who had not witnessed a birth before.

There started a trend..............

Active Walero has done it again! He won the Grand Prix with 71.52%. "There still seems to be more to come" said the ecstatic Nicola McGivern! Active Valentino won the Intermediare I at only his second outing at this level beating the other 38 entries. Active Private Dancer was second in the Intermediare II and scored 66.5% in the Grand Prix. All are now preparing for a trip to Lingen in Germany.

The Active Equestrian foals were enjoying the unseasonably warm weather that we have been getting recently! Hot Stuff is the largest and is already getting the black through on his head of the father Hotline. Skuderia is the one enjoying his hay with his fathers Sir Donnerhall head marking. The one causing all of the trouble is Noodle!! Oh and Schanpps the dog is never far from the action....

By the much talked about stallion Hotline (http://video.aol.com/video-detail/stallion-hotline/2482615486) and out of the mother of Active Walero (already the motherline of many graded stallions). Active Hot Stuff is a dark bay colt and was born on the 19th February 2008. He has exceptional conformation and movement and has the elegant and intelligent head of his half brother Walero.  He is sure to be a stallion prospect as well as an exciting competition prospect for the future.

The plan is to sell this young colt at the Brightwells Auction for Dressage youngstock and foals on the 5th August 2008. Serious enquiries can be made to us directly beforehand.

Born at 20.30 on the 22nd April. A fabulous bay colt foal by Sir Donnerhall out of Naomi (Escudo x Matcho AA). He was born kicking to get up and within 20 minutes was cantering around the stable. We have decided to name him after the Ferrari Scuderia as he is so fast and lively!! It would also seem fitting as his stable name will be Scud after the missile!!

Well we have had to make the hard decision to withdraw Active Walero and therefore also Active Valentino from competing in Saumur CDI this weekend. Active Walero unusually had a reaction to a wormer that we used last week. He immediately went off his food and remained very fussy for 3 days. He generally looked off colour and was lethargic to ride, not ideal preperation for a long journey and then competition. His welfare of course is paramount to anything else and therefore the decision not to go was made. Plans for competing in Addington Premier League and then Lingen (Germany) are now underway. Our apologies go to the organisers of Saumur that we have had to pull out at this late stage.

Congratulations to Susie Coleridge Smith who won the Elementary Open with her new ride Active Royal Lady.  She won with a staggering 72.84! We wish her continuing success for the coming season.

The Active Equestrian team are preparing for the first trip of the 2008 season to Saumur in France.  Active Walero has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Grand Prix whilst Active Valentino with compete in the Prix St Georges. 

Well I definately think we need some help naming our foals! It has been decided to name this lovely  bay colt foal Noodle as his full brother born 2 years ago is called Spaghetti Legs! Don Schufro out of Naomi (Escudo x Matcho AA) although this time it was our lovely broodmare Brenda who carried and gave birth to Noodle whlst Naomi is pregnant with a Sir Donnerhall baby.

Active Walero won the Grand Prix Kur and took second place in the CDI3* at Addington Manor.

Active Walero scores 72.9% to take Grand Prix victory at Solihull after two year break following an injury sustained at the Spanish Sunshine Tour.  Nicola: "Excited to have Walero back in action and looking forward to the coming season."

Private Dancer was second in the Grand Prix, also scoring over 71%.

Nicola took the Intermediare II on Madonna with 71.3% and the Inter I with Active Valentino

"Minky" born, our first Daddy Cool foal

"Little Walero" born today.