01.10.12 :: 'VERSATILE & REFINED' are two words frequently used to describe today's modern day Australian Stock Horse breed. However today this news entry is more focused on the recent initiative made by the ASHS to preserve the History of the Australian Stock Horse breed. This new initiative offered by the Australian Stock Horse Society is to preserve the breeds historical link and founding horses with special merit prefix ...HERITAGE STOCK HORSES (HSH) and WALER HORSES (WH) as many of the breeds original ancestors were predominately the same horses ridden by the Australian Light Horse in WW1. The added prefix will help to preserve and educate breeders and enthusiasts alike about the Heritage of the ASH breed.

All of us at McArthur Farms are pleased to inform you that our available ASH stud STONEBROOK FINNO qualifies for the (HSH) initiative and we offer you access to this successful sires genetics throughout North America via Frozen Semen as distributed from our farm in Alberta, Canada. STONEBROOK FINNO's pedigree includes such influential heritage lines including LINDSAY (HSH) (IS) who is both an Impact Sire and a Heritage Stock Horse (see above photo) LINDSAY has made his mark as a sire not just a stud. With little research you will note our strong Heritage pedigree continues with our imported breeding mares and existing ASH progeny. At this time we are updating our farms stock to indicate the (HSH) and (WH) influence present in the pedigrees. Our breeding horses include but are not limited to (WH) influence of RADIUM 1918, Bruce 1990, DIMRAY 1938 and (HSH) ABBEY, REALITY and KIRKBY STUD REMEDY to name just a few of the HALL OF FAME impact horses. For more information about this initiative, click here.

ESJ of Eventing Nation wrote about the 19 year old Australian Stock Horse gelding RINGWOULD JAGUAR (ridden by Sonja Johnson) representing Australia at the 2011 WEG games in Kentucky... 'They are not flashy big warmbloods but they are DUDES and they know it. They love an audience, have big hearts, an amazing jump , and I just love them.'

Horses like JAG are great ambassadors for the versatility of the Australian Stock Horse breed. If you reviewed his pedigree he should have been a handy stock horse bred with a focus on cattle work. But true to the versatility of this breed and its attributes he was also capable of excelling at eventing and he preferred it. Representing AUS worldwide ridden by Sonja Johnson at World Cup events in addition to the honourable achievement of being a silver medal winner in the Beijing Olympics. Although JAG officially retired at 19 years young, he remains a schoolmaster for a 13 year old boy wishing to learn the sport of Eventing. Reports even have Jag taking a few turns around the barrels just for fun, and Sonja is quick to mention 'that she still can't catch him in his paddock'. Sonja recently added that she continues to develop and train various breeds of horses but was happy to report that she has another ASH in her stable that she believes is of 'International Standard'. Look forward to watching the ASH breed as it continue to emerge on the International scene.

ROYALLE HEARTACRE (Royalle Nightingale x Acres Destiny) born 2006, is a lovely example of the performance ability and eye-appeal of the Australian Stock Horse breed. Although the ASHS stud book is closed many quality studs are have influenced the current stud book. ROYALLE HEARTACRE is an example of the influence other breeds have had on the development of the modern day Australian Stock Horse breed. Still early in his show career ROYALLE HEARTACRE's accolades continue to accumulate. Including but not limited to finalist in the CLONCURRY CHALLENGE and CHAMPION & RESERVE at the ASH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW in overall results (including led and working classes). Owned and managed by Royalle Performance Horse Stud Farm in AUS.

04.27.11 :: YAHOO spring has finally arrived! Spring temperatures are being welcomed here by all of us here at McArthur Farms. Again we have lots of great things happening around our stud farm this year. First, we are delighted to offer horsemanship lessons and group clinics with cutting horse trainer and horseman Cody McArthur. For more information about this coaching opportunity please give us a call or send us an email.

Within our breeding program we are on track with the safe and healthy arrival of this season's first purebred ASH bay filly YAHOO PICABOO. This leggy feminine filly is agile and clever, possessing a loving and brave personality. PICABOO is the first foal by our Registered ASH mare YALLATUP REGINA, sired by our original resident ASH sire CADABRA. This purebred filly is just one of many ASH foals expected at our farm for the 2011 season. Although we have a good selection of foals expected this spring and are excited for their arrival it is our outside clients that we wish to thank. Thank you to everyone who has bred to our ASH stallions since our inception, the quality of mares brought to our facility has been excellent, and we eagerly await their arrival this spring.

In anticipation of this influx of so many outcross foals we have created a new FACEBOOK page specifically for Internationally bred Australian Stock Horse progeny and their owners. Providing all ASH owners (partbred and purebred) and interested enthusiasts an opportunity to post photos and pedigrees specific to their foals as frolicking new born foals and continuing on into their adult lives. Just click 'LIKE' to follow this emerging breeds progress Internationally and Locally.

Another breeding first for this year is the pending arrival of our first STONEBROOK FINNO reg, ASH and outcross progeny these foals will be his first foals born on North American soil. Continuing in 2011 year we are happy to still provide outside breeders access to Australian Stock Horse frozen semen and embryos throughout North America supporting the growth and development of this very promising and versatile performance horse. One last item keep checking with our website and Facebook page as soon we will be adding details about our "NEW" Australian Stock Horse studs soon to be offered at our Stud Farm to outside clients for use within their own performance horse programs.

Australian Horseman travelling North America...MUST SEE!!
Official Guy McLean website
Guy McLean's FACEBOOK page

02.06.11 :: Oh Canada you must be proud as you were incredibly well represented recently at the recent NRCHA Celebration of Champions Show in San Angelo, Texas. Canadian riders, horses, their owners and supportive family members embarked on the long road trip to Texas encountering poor weather including show delaying freezing rain storms. Throughout it all our Canadian riders and their horses rose to the occasion and enjoyed great success in the show ring. To name only a few of the success stories for the Canadian riders we must include John Swales winning the Limited Open Derby and his brother Clint Swales who reclaimed his Limited Open Hackamore World Championship title, the list of success is much longer than this and can be followed on the Canadian Cowhorse FB page. Congrats to ALL!!

01.20.11 :: All of us at McArthur Farms would like to congratulate all of the Australian Stock Horse breeders, owners and riders who recently came together at the 2010 USA Polocrosse Nationals. An annual event hosted by the American Polocrosse Association provided a great opportunity for owners and competitors to get together and display their horses talents. Although the ASH breed still being limited in numbers throughout North America the number of Australian Stock Horses recognized for their abilities is anything but small. Details of this exciting event and the Australian Stock Horses ridden have been well documented by visiting Australian, Jean Still in the 'ASHS Journal' for more details, list of awards and pictures of horses in competition please click here to read the full article.

10.01.10 :: Proud to share with you the news that our Australian Stock Horses will remain a part of the province of Alberta's Equine history archived for future equine enthusiast to consider. Made possible this past summer when our ASH horses participated in a Equine Heritage Exhibit photo shoot that is being compiled to document all the available horse breeds within the province of Alberta in the year 2010. All photography gathered will be part of a unique exhibit that will preserve the history of "Alberta's Equines for future generations". This unique and historical exhibit documents the role of the horse today, what they look like and their role in society. A time capsule created to document the horses of this generation because who knows what they will look like 100 years from now. This is part of a comprehensive study of all the breeds in Alberta and their modern day uses, using photography and journalism in an easy to follow then and now style. To view our horses contribution to this effort please click on the link provided. Thank you to Linda Finstad for all her efforts towards this project. Australian Stock Horses - 2010 Photos

09.25.10 :: Would like to take this opportunity to 'Tip my Hat' to the American Polocrosse Association, the United States Pony Club and Keystone Australian Stock Horse Stud Farm for their efforts and pending participation in the upcoming 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY on October 3 - 6, 2010.

The exhibition will include Polocrosse players of all ages and skill levels and their horses representing the sport of Polocrosse for 1.5 hours each day over four consecutive days inside the Equine Village in the North Arena inside the Kentucky Horse Park at the Games. It is very exciting news that as part of this exhibit there will be three Australian Stock Horses presenting in the demos. These three horses are part of the growing numbers of Australian Stock Horses coming of age within North America now able to present their athletic abilities within the sport horse world. Also, during the 2nd half of that week, Guy McLean will be performing in the Polocrosse demo slots (instead of the Polocrosse) and he will be riding a full Australian Stock Horse a 7yr. old liver chestnut gelding, that is amazingly athletic and can canter backwards, and piaffe. These demos with Guy Mclean are in the North Arena the times are:

Thursday Oct. 7 - 10am-11:30am
Friday Oct. 8 - 4:30pm-6pm
Saturday Oct. 9 - 2pm-3:30pm

07.10.10 :: As the start of the Calgary Stampede quickly approached, Cadabra had no idea what we were preparing him for in the coming days, and CADABRA was not alone as he was about to compete in an event that was being held for the first time in North America: The Calgary Stampede's COWBOY UP CHALLENGE.

Although CADABRA's busy show schedule and breeding season has left him with a limited prep time and exposure to the requirements (many unknown) of the upcoming challenge, CADABRA performed with a willing nature during his 2 days of competition. Competitors' were invited from all over North America and included some of the best in this new emerging sport included both State and National champions from the USA. It created a fantastic event for both competitors and spectators alike, and provided CADABRA an opportunity to again display the Australian Stock Horse breed's versatility and tractability. Well done! Side note: Congratulations to Glen Stewart for winning the final day of competition.

What now? A couple of lattes and a comfy chair to enjoy some time watching the babies play. Then we will continue working towards next year, and our goal of producing versatile sport horses, bred for a versatile nature, quality movement, and quiet dispositions.

Looking forward to witnessing this first crop of CADABRA foals as they enter the Equine Industry teamed with people who are keen to have fun with their horses whatever their chosen sport. Please see our sales page for the two foals we will be offering for sale this season. As a note these two 2010 foals are the first CADABRA babies available for sale off Australian soil.

09.09-13.09 | EVENT :: The Australian Stock Horse was displayed for the first time at this years Breeds For The World expo at the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament. Cadabra and Maryanne Gough showed in Australian stock style - stockwhip and all, Yallatup Regina was ridden by Sam Darmody to showcase Polocrosse and Condamine Glen Idol was presented in full Dressage regalia by Sarah Linde. The different disciplines shown was a concious effort to show the breeds' versatility and talent. The Australian Stock Horse booth did a brisk business with Australian Equine Exporting Services' Amanda Riordan at the helm with Jacquie McArthur, supported by Maryanne Gough, Sam Darmody, Samuel Bullen, Evan Lemay, Sarah Linde, Shelby Richardson and Natalie Jackman. Cadabra proved his gentle nature and amiable personality as he stood quietly in his display stall amidst the stress and chaos of the trade show atmosphere. We enjoyed meeting the many admirers of our horses and hope to foster these new relationships.

08.02.09 | SHOW RESULTS :: CADABRA, the first Australian Stock Horse stallion in Canada, is turning heads as a competitive Reined Cow Horse. At the ARCHA (Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association) Claresholm Stock Horse show on the 1st & 2nd August, 2009, Cadabra came 3rd and 1st respectively, scoring a consistent 73 in his reined work both days. Cadabra is competing in a Limited Open division and has won two shows this season, and is placing consistently.

This talented 7yo stallion is proving that Australia has its own talented and trainable cow horses, and with no Quarter Horse blood at all, Cadabra will provide an exciting outcross to the Quarter Horse lines already available in North America. We predict that the 2010 breeding season will be a big one for Cadabra at the McArthur Farms near Calgary, Alberta and those in Canada should keep an eye out at upcoming ARCHA shows (see www.albertareinedcowhorse.ca for this eye-catching black stallion.

07.06-08.09 | EVENT :: CADABRA and CONDOMINE GLEN IDOL presented with great success in the Calgary Stampede's Breed Showcase.

05.31.09 | SHOW RESULTS :: CADABRA, our ASH stud, competed for the first time overseas this past weekend in Claresholm, Alberta -- making Australian Stock Horse history as it was the first time an ASH horse has ever competed in North America in a Cow Horse event.

The ASH team would like to offer a BIG thank you to John and Clint Swales who have been mentoring CADABRA in the weeks leading up to this inaugural event. See you again at the next ARCHA event.

03.31.09 :: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stayed could prevent our courageous couriers from the completion of their delivery" What began as a scheduled eight day trip turned into 14 days of airline flight and road condition delays. Most notable were the ongoing 'Road Condition Snow Fall Warnings' being issued while travelling on the I-15 through the Rocky Mountain passes in Montana and Idaho causing the volume of delays experienced during their roadtrip to their new home in Canada. Yes, Spring in the Rockies can be very unpreditable.

All arrived safely in the dark of night March 31 at 11PM amidst sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and falling'n blowing snow -- A very "Canadian" welcome. (It's spring you say? What spring?) The horses took all of the events of their trip in stride and remaining healthy and sensible during their long haul from Australia to thier new home in Canada. Special thanks to Kim Elliott of Elliott Equine Transport for her care, patience and attention over the long haul, and a big thank-you goes out to our sponsors AEES , Easy on Rugs and have-dog-will-travel productions for making this project possible and enjoyable.

No doubt the horses feel as though they've landed on an alien planet -- so vast the sea of white, this unfamiliar stuff called snow. See our photos section for picures of them playing in the fresh snow fall the morning after their arrival. You can see Glen Idol sporting her new 'Snow Moustache', sure to be all the rage.