'Whalton Highlight' - one of Harry's progeny

Through AI using his frozen semen, he also sired the winning foal and Champion Galloway in hand at the Melbourne Royal Show in Australia in January 2000. Harry 'visits' West Kington Stallion Centre near Badminton, run by Tessa Clarke for Mr and Mrs Holderness-Roddam from time to time. His progeny successes from 1999 are too numerous to mention but include winners at all the major county shows and the Templeton final at the Horse of the Year Show (Whalton Highlight). Harry looked in marvellous condition for the time of year and I was interested to learn that good hay, cooked mixed flakes, sugar beet and chop are the staple diet of all the horses at the Stud. No fancy feeds here! These feeding methods obviously work as they are now on the sixth generation of show pony breeding. Harry's bloodlines go back to Blwch Valentino, the foundation sire of many show ponies.

Unfortunately, it was too cold for the newborn foals to be outside for the photographs but I was able to see them in the stables. One of Harry's offspring had the most beautiful head; this foal was out of a mare by Java Tiger who had survived a caesarean birth two years previously. The other foal had arrived two weeks early and Jo said they were going to call him 'Caught Out', a very fitting name with a sire called Scoundrel! There was also a mare at the stud from Australia and Jo told me that all her youngsters will eventually be exported to Australia. Jo has relatives over there and not only has she judged horses at all the major shows throughout this country, but she has also been invited to judge in Australia and New Zealand.

The perfect symmetry of 'Java Tiger'

I was dying to see Java Tiger. I love greys and he was almost like a legend to me. His name had cropped up so many times when I was doing dressage myself and I wanted to see him in the flesh. I had also heard of horses by him in Eventing and Showing, which is not surprising as he is rated the top Thoroughbred sire of both Eventers and Dressage horses in the Sport Horse Register 2000 - a great accolade. But it is without doubt his wonderful temperament that he has passed on to his youngsters, his lovely expression and the kindness in his eye that says it all.

Java Tiger was bought out of racing as a six year old, having won three races as a three year old. He has excellent bloodlines, is extremely good looking with great depth and substance, and an outstandingly good straight and athletic movement. He is renowned for his outstanding walk. This length of stride has been passed on to his most famous siblings: Moon Tiger 2, ridden by Trisha Gardner, has over 477 Dressage points. Feast of the Florios was a very good Advanced Event Horse; Mista Tiger and Spinners Double are two more household names. Tribal Dancer won the Pony Club Dressage Championships; Legal Eagle is a Show Horse … and so the list goes on.

Jo talks so proudly of Java Tiger; she said, "He is the nicest, kindest, most generous horse, but he is also as brave as a lion." At 22 years old he takes life a little easier now, so he is restricted to 25 mares a season. Unfortunately, Java Tiger's semen is unsuitable for chilling or freezing and as Jo says in her advertising "Use him or lose him!' Jo obviously takes tremendous pride in her horses and the stallions are treated like normal horses and have impeccable manners. It was lovely to see these two very special equine personalities in their tranquil environment, so beautifully cared for by such a knowledgeable family. Thank you Jo and John MacInnes for giving your precious time to talk to me.

Photographs © Jenny Grzybowski

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