Stories From Abroad

What a Trip it was!!!!!!

New Zealand and Australia

What a trip it was.  We enjoyed ourselves more than you can imagine.  We thought since so many of  you were interested in our trip we would just post a short write up and some pictures and let you see for yourselves.   

To begin with for those of you who are interested the flight from Los Angeles was only eleven hours not sixteen.  The service was wonderful and it was not nearly as stressful as everyone thought it would be.   

We arrived in Auckland and the people in New Zealand were the most gracious accommodating lot you would want to meet.  The customs people did look a little cross eyed at the Semen Container but as we expected Erin of Southwest Breeders had done a great job getting the paperwork together and although they didn’t know exactly what they were doing with it they did send us on to the Cargo department to handle it.  The cargo people went through the paperwork and had no problems what so ever with it other than they didn’t have a fed ex bill number to enter into their computer for arrival so they improvised with our airline ticket stubs.  Evidently no one has ever actually carried semen through before.   That said we need to give a big thank you to Erin and Kathy of Select who are probably the most professional and organized as well as easy to work with individuals you could ask for when it comes to taking care of you and your stallions.  We were all a little nervous as New Zealand is the most difficult country in the world to export to.  They were quite concerned with Marks boots and the horse dung on them and actually took them and sterilized them.  We are feeling quite confident though now having made it through customs without much hassle.  The way we see it is if we can make it through in New Zealand and Australia we can do anything. 

Vikki Madgwick of Owenmore Farms was at the airport waiting as promised for us and the semen.  Personally we think she was a little happier to see her semen than she was us but she promised that wasn’t the case.  We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to stay with Vikki her husband Owen and their daughter Sam (who thank goodness shares my pension for good coffee and junk food (yes everyone there are McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and other great American institutions there we have pictures to prove it) thankfully Sam knew where all these establishments were as well as the nearest Starbucks of which we also have pictures).  The Madgwicks have a lovely farm with a lot of quality stock.  They have a great black overo stallion named BLACK TIE AFFAIR a multiple supreme national champion imported from Australia.  They ordered semen from the Lethal Weapon horse to cross on his daughters and some other nice mares they have. 

Vikki and Owen put on the jug (the coffee) the minute we arrived and made us feel completely at home.  It seemed that Vikki did nothing but cook the entire time we were there as did everyone else that we met.  We are now several pounds plumper then when we left (not a good look) meaning we could have done without that part.  We were allowed a couple of hours to get our bearings and then it was off  to the semen import facility that breeds the majority of mares in NZ and handles all of the freezing and cooling of any animal you can imagine.  The King or Queen vet as the case may be is an unbelievable lady named Dr. Lee Morris of Equine Fertility Services or EFS.  If you want it frozen, sexed, cooled, tested or just about anything she can do it.  Lee has done some of the leading and breakthrough work in semen and embryo technology and technique and trust me it is a privilege to see her work.  South of the Equator their breeding season is the exact opposite of ours in the States so as we are all catching our breath these people are in the thick of it right now.  The first mare being bred to FPF LETHAL WEAPON was inseminated several days after we arrived and we will know shortly whether or not she is in foal for an early September foal (now doesn’t that sound a little strange).   

The hospitality these people as a country lavished on us was unbelievable.  We were treated to two very popular tourist attractions the first being the glow worm caves which are in Waitomo NZ in the North Island.  Here we saw some breathtaking scenery and saw the internal caves illuminated completely by (yes) glow worms.  The caves are thought to be hundreds of thousands of years old and they were amazing.  The whole situation sort of reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean as you proceed through these caves in boats similar to those found at Disneyland shy of all the pirates chasing people in the local taverns.  The second is referred to by the locals as “Stinky Mud” which in actuality are Geo thermal reserves.  We visited “Hells Gate” and it is located in Tikitere Rotorua North Island (which sounds similar to Roto Rooter which of course posed a minor problem for us miss- pronouncing).  We toured several of the pools of boiling water which can run as high as 95 degrees Celsius for those of us who live in the States translates into a couple of hundred degrees F.  There actually was stinky boiling mud and there were waterfalls that made Jacuzzis look feeble.  It was actually quite interesting and for those of you women who might want to embellish they have a spa there also.

We also toured several other areas and did a lot of driving visiting sites in between horse farms.   

We visited several horse farms while we there which included Appaloosas, Paints and Quarters.  One of the places we visited was Mark and Val Chamberlin who have a lovely place outside of Auckland.  They have a gorgeous two year old stallion which you will see in the pictures.   I gave a clinic their on horsemanship, showmanship and answered all sorts of various unsundry questions.  We had a great time and met everyone in their barn.  Mark is one of the most accomplished as well as versatile trainers in New Zealand and frequently travels to Australia and The States to hone his skills.  They and their customers like everyone else we dealt with in New Zealand were unbelievably hospitable.  After the clinic they laid out a spread you can’t even imagine (again putting on the jug for coffee, tea and Milo (their version of hot chocolate)).  We talked for hours asking them as many questions about their associations and horses as they did about ours.  It was truly an experience to remember.  A big thank you to Mark and Val and all of their customers for a most memorable time. 

Another stop on our tour of New Zealand was at Freddie & Debbie Fredrickson where we were treated to seeing sheep sheered.  This was the one thing I really wanted to see done while we were there and as usual they accommodated.  We not only got to see the sheep sheered but saw how a sheep farm really ran.  We also got to see how they rear their baby drop calves and feed them in a unit called (get this) a calf a teria.  When you see them eat it does resemble a bunch of kids in a cafeteria.  In addition to our stop there we were also taken to John (aka Santa Claus) and Joan McCorquindale’s to see the highest point in New Zealand.  Mark faired very well thinking the strait up and down terrain was heaps of fun.  I on the other hand well lets just say (I would have made a chicken look brave) I bailed out about halfway through the adventure.  Giving credit where credits due the pictures were taken by Mark as I never made it that far.  If God had intended me to be on a three foot wide trail hanging off the side of a mountain with no where to go but several hundred feet down in the back of a four wheel drive truck he would have made me a goat.  My hat is off to the boys I admit I was bested.    The pictures were worth the risk of life and limb though (I’m just glad it was his life and his limb).   

The New Zealand crew kept us busy on our entire stay (I will admit that Vikki, Sam and I did steal away for a day of shopping in their malls, guess what they are just about like ours here) and our last night there was no exception. 

The Clarke’s Robin John and Sarah put on an open house/forum pot luck dinner night for our last day there, so that we could meet everyone and they could meet us.  This was mostly for the people belonging to the horse associations to ask questions about everything from the American clubs to shipping semen to anything that pertained to horses.  We met tons of people including the presidents, secretaries and many many of the members.  It was an informative and fun time that was had by all. 

Lastly the reason and place our whole trip originated would be the mare “Teseres” and Sarah Clarke.  Sarah is the reason we are now running around the world and freezing not only ours but everyone else’s stallions to deliver around the world.  Sarah (and we) are currently awaiting the arrival of the very first transported frozen semen Appaloosa foal by Impress Me Shanon.  Sarah is a very determined individual and knows exactly what she wants.  Sarah decided she was going to breed to Shanon and that was it, I don’t think she ever considered the fact he was halfway around the world.  She called us up got a contract asked if the chute fee breeding was for real asked if we would honor that on a breeding in New Zealand and once we said yes to all of the above she booked the mare.  We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we said yes.  In all honesty we almost ran backwards once or twice and had we not given our word and she hadn’t been so persistent I might not be writing this now.  We didn’t give a thought to what went into the frozen semen deal and the fact that NZ was the toughest regulated place on earth until after the fact.  It’s a good thing and I guess everything works out for the best because even with years of experience between us I don’t know that we would have jumped into this quite like Sarah did.  We owe a lot to Sarah and others like her who jumped in when the frozen semen was approved.  They all took a huge leap of faith not to mention being the guinea pigs for the first few go rounds.  I will say though it is generally those with the greatest foresight and take the biggest chances that stand to either lose or gain the most.  They are then at the forefront of a movement that works.  In Sarah’s case she is currently as we said awaiting the foal from this first match.  We were hoping that Teseres would have the baby while we there (remember this is their foaling season now) but like most horses had her own agenda.  You can bet though that the moment it is born we will have it posted on the net as well as in our ads as a testament to the fact that the frozen semen does in fact work.

We also must congratulate Owen, Vikki and Sam for there belief and trust in our program as well and the belief that we would follow through on our part to deliver when and what we said we would.  Our greatest hope is that the semen we brought them will benefit their program by introducing new blood into their already successful program.  Our foremost goal is that soon stallions all over the world will be available easily and reasonably to anyone and everyone who wants them.  We appreciate the Madgwicks seeing this dream with us and helping us to promote it.

  A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WE HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET AND WORK WITH ON OUR TRIP AND YOU CAN BE SURE WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN. 

AUSTRALIA 

Although our trip to Australia was a short one, we had a blast and had the opportunity to meet the “Griswold’s” from down under.  The Australians just like the New Zealanders make you feel right at home from the minute you meet them.  We arrived in Australia and were greeted by Justin and Simon Myers of Lynway Quarter Horses (a.k.a. The Griswold’s of Australia) at the airport.  Justin and Simon along with their mother Lyn, father Wayne and other brother Nigel constitute Lynway Quarter Horses.   They are arguably some of the greatest breeders of Quarter Horses in Australia.  Lynway can boast Australian National Champion Stallions, Mares, Geldings and futurity and superhorse winners from their breeding.  I doubt anyone who shows in Australia is unfamiliar with them.  The Meyers were kind enough to show us their farm (as ranch is not a term frequently used in either New Zealand or Australia whether it be 10 acres or 10,000) as well as their phenomenal horses.

The United Kingdom Wales and England

Marks trip to Wales and England was nothing short of fabulous.  We do however need to make clear to those of you who may make the same mistake we did.  All of the United Kingdom is not England and NO they are not interchangeable (evidently a common American misconception).  They are all very separate entities and believe me they will let you know.  Mark ventured first to Wales to stay and visit with Tim and Jeanette Keeley.  Tim and Jeanette own and operate one of the most accomplished farms in Wales.  They deal primarily in Appaloosas and are rapidly acquiring more Quarter Horses.  With many imported mares and one stallion from over the “Big Pond” they are definitely a force to be reckoned with in the show pen.  In addition to the imported horses they have also chosen to import semen for their mares, the reason for Marks visit.  Mark delivered “Texas Invitation” for use on both Quarter Horse and Appaloosa mares, in order to extend their current bloodlines.

     You will see from the pictures Tim & Jeanette have some great horses and a lovely facility.  Mark had the opportunity to stay with them and visit some of the breathtaking countryside.  I am particularly fond of the picture of Mark in “Stocks” but then I would be.  There are also some lovely pictures of Castles and Cathedrals and of an archeological dig of Ancient Roman Ruins being excavated in Chester.

     Mark said one of the most remarkable sights was the wall that went all around the whole town of Chester.  There is a Bridge Gate, Clock Tower and all of the usual medieval protection architecture common to that era.  He said the craftsmanship and architecture were Magnificent.  In keeping with our usual ritual he also took pictures of the local McDonalds and Starbucks.  Furthering our personal collection of Americanization around the Globe.

     Rounding out his trip to Wales Mark & Tim took the ever “touristy” trip to Liverpool.  Yes you guessed it home to none other than The Beatles.  A few other side trips here and there and some obvious meetings and discussions about horses, made for a fabulous trip to Wales.  Tim & Jeanette were excellent hosts and spoiled Mark rotten, all of which he enjoyed thoroughly.   I don’t know if anyone besides me has noticed this….but generally I do a lot more work while I’m away…. Just an Observation…

If anyone is interested in Frozen Semen, horse or cattle or interested in importing horses please do not hesitate to call Tim & Jeanette or contact them via email they will be happy to help you in any way they can. 

England:  Marks last stop on his UK adventure was at the beautiful B & B of Candy & Duncan Sasse at Ravens Barn.  Duncan is a noted trainer of Thoroughbreds in the area and he and Mark had much to discuss.  Although the real reason for the stop was to see the beautiful overo weanling filly of Candys from frozen semen imported the year before from FPF Lethal Weapon.  Mark said the filly is lovely and further proof that frozen semen is a very reliable way to extend bloodlines overseas.

     Mark had a great visit with Duncan and Candy and several other people interested in importing semen.  He said the entire United Kingdom was beautiful and the people all gracious hosts.