The show horse calendar is finalized each year with the most prestigious of all Australian show horse events. No show in Australia creates the atmosphere and excitement that the amazing Victorian EFA committee produces each year with the ‘Nationals’. Held over two days on first weekend in December, each year the clash of the states adds to the excitement and prestige of the competition. An achievement in itself to represent your state, Kolbeach was proud to see many Kolbeach bred ponies compete in both horse and rider events from three states. Despite the young age of all of these ponies their performances were remarkable.

Kolbeach Memoir under the guidance of Jasmine Anderson put on a showy performance in the National Small Pony event. ‘Meme’ represented South Australia for the first time due to the cancellation of the 2007 National event. Step up a size and Kolbeach represented two states in the National Large Pony of the Year. Multi newcomer award winner and Adelaide Royal show Champion K.Promise did not disappoint onlookers and was awarded the 2008 National Large Pony of the Year Award.

The youngster of the Kolbeach team Holly’s Spring (Lucy) put on a performance beyond expectations competing at just her 7^th show. ‘Lucy’ is a Grand Daughter of the famous Holly’s Gem. Her mother Holly of Springtime was imported as a yearling together with her then 2yrs old sister Gemstone (dam of previous South Australian National representative and Royal Show winner KB Print) when the stud began to increase their breeding program in 1998. Choosing to leave Holly’s Gem in the UK but wishing to expand her bloodline in Australia, the decision to bring these fillies to Australia has certainly not been regretted. Lucy has inherited her famous relatives’ wonderful way of going and extreme turn of front, and her performance at the Nationals as South Australia #1 large pony representative was very pleasing not only the stud but also to all three judges which saw her awarded the runner up 2009 National large pony of the year award. Lucy will be retained by the stud to continue breeding this successful line of ponies.

Kolbeach Stiletto represented Queensland in a hard fought Galloway section. Owned and produced by the Harper-Purcell family Stiletto. KB Rose Gold worked a treat for 11yr Old Felicity Atkinson to represent South Australia in the Junior Rider class. Felicity and Rose Gold a 5yr gelding out of the imported mare Sufton Wild Rose by Fairley Tempest. In just his first season of competitions they represented SA with composure with maturity well beyond their age and experience.

Queensland’s Galloway section was represented by the successful Kolbeach Stiletto. The attractive black mare is owned and produced by the Harper Purcell family. Stiletto was purchase by the Harper-Purcell’s from an EFA Nationals Kolbeach auction and has since been extremely successful in both led and ridden events and continues to produce the goods.

Kolbeach certainly surpassed their wildest expectations to be awarded the double in the highly competitive 2008 National Large Pony and Trans Tasman event. However to have so many Kolbeach ponies represent their states was extremely pleasing to the stud.