The new year got off to a great start. The NFPB Society published the results of last Autumn's mare grading. Our only entry Hollybrooke Grace graded with the highest score. The stud has an amazing record at the mare grading's with the last three mares we have presented all being awarded the best mare.

After a long and very wet winter spring finally arrived and so did our two foals.
Hollybrooke Barraquito a colt by Skywalker out of Hollybrooke Melitta, closely followed by Hollybrooke Amethyst a filly by Hollybrooke Tinker out of Hollybrooke Crystal. We have had a lot of interest in both foals but have decided to keep them for the time being. We are hopeful that Barraquito has the makings of a stallion. Amethyst is a dark liver chestnut (a colour everyone seems to love) and the first filly foal the mare has ever had.

We had several visits during the year including those young people enrolled in the Breed Society's young judges scheme with their mentor Malcolm Fry. They came to assess some of our ponies as part of their training. We also had two groups of foreign breeders one from Holland and another large group from Sweden. Several of the foreign visitors had been here before but for many it was a first visit. Their knowledge of forest ponies and pedigrees in particular is always astounding. They took lots of photos while they were here including this lovely one of our stallion Skywalker aged twenty three. It is always a great privilege and pleasure to show people our ponies.

On a sad note we said a very emotional goodbye to two of our much loved broodmares. Hollybrooke Ruby and Hollybrooke Gypsy. Neither had been in good health for a while and despite our best efforts, they were both struggling. We try to make the heart breaking decision before their quality of life deteriorates. They both had show ring successes and produced some wonderful foals for us, so they will be much missed.

We only did a very small amount of showing ourselves with three of our young ponies two by Skywalker and one by Tinker, but they all achieved good results. Hollybrooke Favour (left) surpassed all expectations to be reserve champion at Bath and West. Right is Hollybrooke Duchess who was second three times in three outings and Hollybrooke Elegant who went out just twice and was well placed on both occasions.
We had hoped to show our yearling colt Hollybrooke Distinction but he has grown so much he looked more like a giraffe than a forest pony. We hope that he will have grown into his long legs in time for next year's spring colt inspections.

Lots of ponies we bred or by our stallions had a busy and successful season with their owners.
Hollybrooke Jet qualified for, and was placed at the Sunshine Tour Championship at Hickstead. Hollybrooke Duke has been doing some arena eventing and was placed second in a HOYS qualifier. His sister Hollybrooke Halo won her section at the Riding Club area horse trials. Hollybrooke Annie was elementary dressage champion at the Veteran Horse Society Championships. Hollybrooke Tinker's Gold (right) won his class at the New Forest Show.
Hollybrooke Jupiter has spent the summer consolidating what he learned last year while learning some new skills including trying some dressage and jumping. He is enjoying his jumping and showing real scope over a fence. He only competed in a few shows. This photo was taken at the end of the season when he was seventh in the BSPS Heritage Championships New Forest Direct London qualifier. Lots to look forward to next year.

I can't finish the round up with out mentioning two others not bred by us but sired by our stallions who are showing real promise and success eventing. On the right is the part bred Trenley Tomorrow by Hollybrooke Tinker and on the left is Mockbeggar Rosie II by Skywalker.