Home - Latest News

July - August 2010

Wilga Park Morgans at the EKKA (RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane) ...

Our Older Wilga Park Kids - what are they doing now? ...

The first Cortez foals are born ....

We are so very proud to announce that five of the eight Morgans who represented the Morgan Breed in the Breed Expo Pavilion at the EKKA from 05 - 14 August 2010 were owned or bred by Wilga Park Morgans. That realisation was a profound moment for us. It takes time to establish a significant Stud with quality horses and it finally dawned on us that we have 'Arrived'!!

More than 180,000 visitors came through the Breed Expo Pavilion and a huge number of them had never seen a Morgan horse in the flesh, or even knew of their existence in Australia. We all had a ton of fun talking about our wonderful breed to interested people for a full 10 days. We also had the opportunity to perform in the arena in the centre of the pavilion, to a crowd, for a half hour each day . Lisa Wong, Madagascar's owner, deserves a Medal for the work she put into organising and steering us through this momentous occassion.

RanchBoss Cortez and Linda Shore wowed the Demonstration Judge with their performance. He commented that it was the most polished exhibition he had seen. Linda, looking swish in her Top Hat, rode Cortez with a just a show halter and a piece of leather attached to the chin strap ... No bit and no contact with his head, apart from light pressure she applied to that leather strap at the throat latch! That is when she wasn't riding no hands at all!! Linda and Cortez certainly showed how trainable a Morgan is! Cortez did all his Dressage and some Reining moves exceptionally well. We were extremely proud of both of them.

Ridden Display by Linda and Cortez

The Stunning Cortez with Linda

Wilga Park Madagascar and Lisa Wong also wowed the crowd!! Lisa and Maddy showed off just how smart and just what a superb temperament our Moragns have. Lisa pulled a huge tarp from Maddy's back between his front legs, then between his back legs and then! asked him to bow to the crowd ... to each and every side! Madagascar is only 3 years old and was superb!! They then had to go around the arena 4 times so that everyone who wanted to pat Maddy could get their hands on him. One little girl was so impressed, she sent her Dad over to the Morgan stand to meet the Morgan Horse ... as she would like one of those, please!

Madagascar showing how cool he is with a huge tarp being pulled from his back between his front legs!

Wilga Park Malaynee also strutted her stuff at the EKKA. Helena Shanal rode Malaynee on the day and little Malaynee won hearts just by being beautiful and behaving like a champion in the demonstation arena and in the Main Arena during the Breeds Expo Parade. Jane was so proud of Malaynee and the following photo says it all!

Jane, the proudest smile on her face, with Wilga Park Malaynee

Wilga Park Golden Glory was a huge hit with the crowd. She was also a huge hit with Tam (her owner) and myself. Glory behaved like a Veteran and one would have thought that she'd taken lessons from the professionals in crowd-pleasing behaviour! When she was in her stable (which is enclosed with mesh to prevent little fingers being poked in too much) she kept her nose pressed to the wire and her ears pricked, inviting anyone and everyone to reach up and tickle her muzzle. Even when she was asleep on her feet, her nose was pressed to the mesh.

It was Glory's second outing ... her first being the Toowoomba Royal Show. Glory was in the Grand Parade on her day at the EKKA, and she loved every minute of it. She was so curious and so interested in all those other funny looking animals, it took all my persuasion skills to stop her from going to touch noses with them all. The Llamas, goats, cows and funny looking little ponies had her completely entranced and she wanted to march over to meet them up close and personal. She is a gem to take out ... there is not one ounce of 'silly young horse' in this 20 month old girl.

Glory and Kathy getting ready for the Grand Parade

Mt Tawonga Oscar was also at the EKKA. Fat, unfit and hairy (rather like his owner at the moment <g>), he was a little star as he let me canter him around with just the rope halter and then stand on his rump, to show off his steady nature. Oscar is a very special Morgan! We haven't been in work for many months, and yet he was a real Treasure when I dragged him out of the paddock to be a Performer!

Oscar and Kathy with their new trick. They tried this, for the first time, just 4 days before we went to the EKKA

Wilga Park Summer Beauty (Chance) and Wilga Park Golden Ash (Flynn) are enjoying the winter season under saddle. It is the only time they can really ride, as the summer in Broome is way too wet and way too hot. I continue to get reports from Tam and Sue about these two. It is quite amazing that these two babies were born just days apart, and ended up together in Broome, just a few kilometres from each other.

Chance is proving to be a very agile, intelligent, light, balanced, quick and willing partner for Tam who enjoys her rides out in the bush and on the beach and even her exercises in the arena. Tam has found her partner for life. I hope to see them doing some campdrafting at some stage soon. Kelly Stewart from Salt River Performance Horses in WA flys into Broome to hold clinics with both Chance and Flynn.

Kellie Stewart and Wilga Park Summer Beauty (Chance)

Flynn and Sue have the perfect partnership as well. Sue requires a steady, soft, pliable mount and Flyyn provides just what she needs to keep her confident and brave in the saddle. Though Sue has ridden bigger horses in her time, she is amazed at the huge stride Flynn has. Sue says he just floats over the ground and though he gets rather bored with arena work, he loves their Beach and Bush rides and all the stimulating exercises Sue thinks up to keep his brain interested and active. These two also have found their perfect partners for life. It is so rewarding for us to see our babies thrive in these wonderful relationships that they have formed with their owners.

Wilga Park Golden Ash (Flynn) with Sue up, and Kellie instructing (photos T Russ)

Madagascar, when he wasn't busy wowing the crowds at the EKKA, has been out to the Laidley Show and the Samford Show and has brought home a couple of those nice wide ribbons in the nice colours of Purple and Green ... yes he won Champion All Other Breeds at Samford and also Reserve Champion Ridden Dilute! This lad only turned three in February and he is a super sweet boy. Lisa and Maddy are doing marvellous things together.

Maddy and Lisa at Samford - Maddy is 5 weeks younger than Summer Beauty and Golden Ash

Our Victorian kids are coming of age this year and soon both will be under saddle. Wilga Park Serjania (Jack) and Wilga Park Chambourcin (Champy) are turning three at the end of this year and both are off to their trainers for the initial starting process. Jan, Jack's owner, can't wait to take him out and about. Her Trainer says he is a superb horse with a lovely nature and with great movement - which pleases us all greatly. Jack is already over 15hh.

Wilga Park Serjania and Jan (back in March)

Gillian Woodridge of Shibui Morgan Stud purchased Wilga Park Chambourcin as one of her foundation mares for her new Stud and has already taken Champy to the Australian National Morgan Show. Chambourcin is a real character with lots of attention seeking attitude (she knows she's beautiful) and so Heidi Talbot has been chosen as her Instructor for the Starting Process. Heidi will keep Champy's brain alert and keen, which Champy will thrive on.

Wilga Park Chambourcin and Gill in the Led Obstacle course, at the Australian National Morgan Show

(Photo by Mary Mitchell)

Wilga Park Golden Glory and Tammie Pike have formed a bond that is almost tangible. Glory will do anything for Tam and does it as if she has known how to do it for years. These two are going to have the most brilliant life together and we can't wait until Glory and Tam are a riding partnership. That is another year away, so in the meantime Tam does lots of fun groundwork with Glory to keep her interested and having fun.

Wilga Park Golden Glory and her owner Tammie Pike

Having Fun with their training

The first Cortez Foals of the season have been born!! Midget, a Quarter Horse Cross mare, had a gorgeous buckskin filly (just what the mare owner ordered!) on Sunday 8th August. We will go visit them next weekend and have the 'naming' ceremony ... Lindy wants to choose one that suits the cheeky, inquisitive nature of her gorgeous girl.

Midget and her buckskin Filly - only hours old ... yet to be named!

Red Bluff Opal, the most gorgeous part Morgan mare, had her stunning smokey black filly on Sunday 15 August. Opal was very obliging and had her filly 9 days early, just when I was visiting to see how she was progressing in her pregnancy. She certainly surprised us with a very quick, uncomplicated birth. From kicking at her tummy at 4.30pm to the foal on the ground at 7.50pm ... Opal didn't waste a moment. AND she produced the sweetest little filly one could hope for.

Meet Manyana Dusky Rose!

August 2008

Wilga Park Malaynee, the very first foal we bred, is started under saddle ...

Mt Tawonga Oscar places in Elementary Dressage Competitions ...

Wilga Park Morgans blitz the field at Gold Coast Show. RanchBoss Cortez is Supreme Champion three times over, Wilga Park Tippuhana Champion Morgan Mare and Mt Tawonga Oscar Champion Morgan Gelding ... Read More

July 2008

RanchBoss Cortez trys his style at Jumping.

Gill from Shibui Morgan Stud purchases Wilga Park Chambourcin.

Indigo Roc The Boat (Rocky), pure Morgan gelding, to join Wilga Park's Riding School ... Read More

May - June 2008

RanchBoss Cortez visits Gypsie Lodge Equestrian Centre

Nila & Andrew Visit Wilga Park Morgans

RanchBoss Cortez Supreme Champion Stallion at the Blackbutt Show.

Morgans at Toowoomba Regional Dressage Championships.

Mt Tawonga Nepean - delighting the kids with horse rides ... Read More

April 2008

Wilga Park Summer Beauty leaves for Western Australia.

Haymeron Park Ruby Jane to have a Foundation Morgan colt foal to Cortez.

Preparation for the Toowoomba Royal ... Read More

March 2008

The two black foals are growing superbly.

Wilga Park Summer Beauty and Mt Tawonga Oscar have fun with Tammy.

Wilga Park Madagascar leaves home.

Mt Tawonga Oscar excels himself at competition ... Read More

February 2008

Haymeron Park Ruby Jane (RJ), Foundation Morgan Mare, is in foal to RanchBoss Cortez, Foundation Morgan Stallion.

Wilga Park Chambourcin's colour genetics are complete.

Embryos have been sex tested ... Read More

January 2008

More breaking News for January .... Eagleview Skybeau (Calypso) in foal to Ragtime Oro Blanco (aka Casper); Mt Tawonga Natasha's filly foal is born: and colour genetics on Eagleview Skybeau, Wilga Park Serjania, Mt Tawonga Marrella and Red Bluff Paprika. Read More

November/December 07

A Black colt is born ... RanchBoss Cortez, home from the Trainer ... and

Why I love Morgans! Read More

Sept - Oct 07

Cortez at the Reining Trainer & new For Sale page! Read More

June- August 07

Laidley Show, Foundation Morgan Stock, Make it Rein in August and Dressage! Read More

May 2007

CDI-W Stallion Parade, Foals Due, Blackbutt Show and Dressage!

CDI-W - International Level Dressage Event

RanchBoss Cortez Stole the Show at the Stallion Parade, May 26th! Read More

March 2007

Show News, Mares in Foal and Horses for Sale!

RanchBoss Cortez - Supreme Champion Dilute at the Toowoomba Royal! Read More

MORE NEWS ITEMS IN OUR ARCHIVES:

February 2007

RanchBoss Cortez - Supreme Champion Stallion.

February was the beginning of an exciting Show Season for us. Read More

January 2007

January saw the birth of the very first Australian foal by the superb Morgan stallion, Ragtime Oro Blanco, here at Wilga Park.

It was also an eventful month for our 3 yr old filly, Haymeron Park Ruby Jane. Read More

December 2006

December has been a wonderful month for us. Our first two RanchBoss Cortez foals have been born! Read More

October 2006

October sure was an exciting, if not hectic, month for us.

The Sunshine Coast Dressage Championships, Queensland State Dressage Championships, South Queensland Dilute Championships and the Allora Championships, and maybe just one little trail ride! Read More

September 2006

Gold Coast Centerary Show. Huge three-day event...what a milestone for RanchBoss Cortez!

We were invited by one of the Assistant Ring Masters of the Gold Coast Show to take Cortez to the Centenary Show. The invitation came after she had judged him at a Dressage Competition. We decided to take up the invitation and were so very pleased that we did. Read More

August 2006

RanchBoss Cortez - Colour Genetics: EE Aa nCr

We felt it was important to have Cortez's colour genetics in certificate form, for those interested in colour. We sent hair samples to the States for testing for three factors - Red/Black, Agouti and Cream. Read More

Preparation for the Breeding Season

With the breeding season soon upon us, we decided we should have Cortez collected for testing in differing extenders for shipping chilled semen. The results were impressive. Read More

May 2006

Toowoomba Regional Championships and the Stallion Parade

We recently had the Regional Dressage Championships here in Toowoomba and...nah!!...no first ribbons or prizes, but what a great weekend we had. It was exhausting and exhilarating. We were running on adrenalin as we rushed from one deadline to the next. The highlights of the weekend for us were Mt Tawonga Natasha in her Novice Freestyle and RanchBoss Cortez's impact on the audience in the Stallion Parade. Read More

April 2006

RanchBoss Cortez and his start in Dressage

Since arriving in Australia and being released from Quarantine on 22 December 2005, RanchBoss Cortez has settled in well and has begun to make his mark in Dressage Circles. Read More

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