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Woombai Desert Dawn
| Woombai Desert Dawn (River Oak Prestige x Hume Creek Ashara) has recently been broken to saddle by Adam Maitland, who was her sire’s trainer and rider when he won Australian National Reserve Champion Arabian Stallion under Saddle in 2005.
Dawn is owned by Jane Blackett of Nunbilla Stud. After being broken in by Adam, Dawn returned to River Oak where Jane rode her for a few weeks before returning her to Adam to be trained for her first outing under saddle. Due to the cancellation of several shows, Dawn’s first outing was on Saturday 19th September 2009 at Blacktown Show where she performed beautifully to take 2nd place in the Novice Ridden Arabian and 2nd Place in the Open Ridden.
We are all thrilled with her progress and the great job Adam is doing with her. |
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PAGE UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2010
After a two month break at River Oak, Dawn is back with Adam Maitland and, after just three weeks in work, she was Champion Led Mare at Blacktown Show on the 20th February as well as Reserve Champion Ridden – well done guys!!!
PAGE UPDATE - 18 DECEMBER 2009
WOOMBAI DESERT DAWN - From Jane Blackett
In May 2007 I went to an "open day" at River Oak Arabians in search of a young pure bred gelding to ride and compete on....well that was the plan!!! Instead I saw, immediately liked and after much discussion, purchased a small bay filly called Woombai Desert Dawn. Thankfully Ray and Kerry were keen for Dawn to go to a show home, which she would and be spoilt rotten ... which she has been as she still spends most of her time being beautifully looked after at River Oak allowing me to continue my interstate work.
Earlier this year and now a four year old, I was ready to get Dawn broken in and start her career under saddle and out onto the trails in Kurrajong .... well that was the plan!!! I was in search of a professional breaker who would look after Dawn as she is accustomed to, that operated in the Hawkesbury area so that I could see how Dawn was going and if I ever needed further help, they were not far away. Ray and Kerry suggested I contact Adam Maitland of Maitland Equine Services operating in Londonderry which I did and after inspecting the property, facilities and proposed program for Dawn she was booked in July/August to be broken in.
Much to my amazement I was riding her around the arena after 3 weeks and felt totally at ease ... which was not expected as I had been out of the saddle for nearly 20 years. I was really keen to get Dawn home and start riding her myself with the thought of a few small shows in 2010 ... again that was the plan. Instead at the end of her six week stay with Adam she was showing real potential and discussions started for a "show campaign" for Oct/Nov leading up to with the National Arabian Stud Show. Adam had worked wonders with Dawn and from a lovely mare with attitude, she had become a attentive and willing student who was working so well under Adam's guidance.
So Dawn and I mucked around on the arena at River Oak for a month and she then went back to Adam to commence her "show campaign". The results exceeded my far expectations for a mare just broken and include:-
Blacktown Spring Horse Show (under saddle only) - September 2009
2nd Novice Purbred Arabian
2nd Purebred Mare/Filly
Castle Hill Spring Horse Show (under saddle only) - October 2009
1st Novice Pure Bred Arabian
1st Pure Bred Mare n/e 14.2hands
Crabbet Show (halter and under saddle) - October 2009
1st/Champion Led Pure Bred Mare or Filly (shown by Ray Smith)
2nd Ridden Pure Bred Mare
2nd Ridden Carbet Related Pure Bred Mare
National Arabian Stud Show (halter and under saddle) - November 2009
For those of you at the national this year, the pure bred mare classes were held outdoors on Friday afternoon .... 40 degrees ++ - far too hot usually to be riding - but Dawn worked her socks off for Adam and her cheer squad were exstatic!!
3rd Ridden Novice Pure Bred Mare
2nd Ridden Intermediate Pure Bred Mare
4th Ridden Open Pure Bred Mare n/e 15hds
1st Classic Head Pure Bred Arabian Mare or Filly (shown by Ray Smith)
3rd Led Pure Bred Mare 5 years (shown by Ray Smith)
So in five months, Dawn has been broken in and is now very competitive under saddle and still maintains a good halter show record. She is enjoying a well earned rest at River Oak over Christmas and New Year before Dawn and Adam get back to work looking at East Coast and Australian Championships in 2010.
My plan (and this will not change) is for Dawn to be competitive as a halter and saddle horse at the same time ... which unfortunately too few pure bred mares or stallion do and it is left to the geldings to carry the "versatile arabian" flag.
To Ray and Kerry, thank you so much for introducing me to Dawn, then finding me Adam who has done a such a wonderful job breaking her in and showing her, and finally for looking after Dawn so well at River Oak whilst I am interstate working.
For anyone looking at buying a lovely arabian and having the best "after sales service" to help you out with training, breeding or agistment you will not be disappointed with the River Oak experience.
Jane Blackett
Nunbilla Arabians
