Wednesday, 17th November, 2004 saw the birth of a very special foal for one of Australia's true gentleman of showjumping - Brad Trewin from Victoria.

I have known Brad for many years, first through the Pony Club movement and then through the affiliated jumping and he has always been passionate about horses and showjumping.

Some 11 years ago Brad got a 5 year old ex-galloping mare who had very basic flatwork. The mare was a plain coloured bay of good height with no chrome work, who had a "something special" presence about her and when I saw her jump I liked what I saw - and so did plenty of others in Victoria, who tried their hardest to buy her! But Brad and his mother Trisha were very firm when they said "no, this mare is not for sale" - and true to their decision way back then, they have kept Miss Sully and she has now given birth to a very handsome colt who shows plenty of chrome work!

Miss Sully, a 16 year old thoroughbred mare is by Arctic Lord out of a Trail of Mist mare and she has been a super competition mare for Brad, taking him to all the major shows in Australia.

Miss Sully placed in World Cups with her best placing being an equal 2nd at the 2002 Sydney Royal Show World Cup and in 2003/2004 she was in 11th place on the World Cup Leaderboard until an injury halfway through the seaosn forced her out of the competition arena.

This wonderful mare completed her competition career with close to 200 competition points and considering a horse needs 80 (from memory) points to reach Grade A in Australia, it is plainly obvious she has been a very successful showjumping mare on the Austraian circuit for many years.

Not only did everyone try to buy this mare but every stallion owner wanted to be the one chosen for Miss Sully when the time came for her to retire to the broodmare's paddock as this is one of "those" mares - she has temperament, good bone, good height and a wonderful jump with proven performance - exactly the type of mare everyone is looking for to breed with.

The decision to put Miss Sully into foal was made when Brad was transferred to Germany for 12 months and rather than have this great mare wasting away in the paddock it was decided it was a good time for her to go into foal - she has been a fabulous competition mare and from the photos here, taken by Brad, she is also going to be fabulous mother.

The chosen sire was Cardento 933 - the very talented 12 year old Holsteiner stallion ridden by Peter Eriksson for Sweden and he is a much sought after sire throughout Europe.

The semen for this stallion is available in Australia through 4 Aces who carry all the Flyinge stallions.

No doubt stallion owners will be again lining up to offer their stallion for Miss Sully's second and further foals, and as the Trewin's know, I am first in line!

Congratulations to the Trewin family and no doubt Brad will be wishing the years away so that he can get on his youngster and ride into the ring for the first time!