The celebration of the official Horses’ Birthday in Australia on 1 August will hold special significance at the Equine Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga in 2011, with a new stallion set to enhance breeding programs and teaching opportunities.

 

The University has purchased a pure bred Connemara pony called Glenormiston Celtic Pride from the Glenormiston Stud in Queensland.

 

The new stallion will join CSU’s teaching horses to allow animal, equine and veterinary science students to be involved in all aspects of horse husbandry, equine reproduction and stallion management. 

 

The rising five year old stallion will also play a pivotal role in the breeding program at the Equine Centre.

 

Originally from Ireland, the Connemara breed was introduced to Australia in 1963 and is renowned for its calm temperament and hardiness.

 

CSU is cross breeding Connemara stallions over larger thoroughbred mares to breed a multi-purpose sporting pony, suitable for the whole family.

 

Equine Centre Manager Mr John Smart said Glenormiston Celtic Pride is a personable young stallion standing at just under 14.2 hands and is bred to jump.

 

“This will be his first year at stud but Celtic Pride has settled in well and seems to have a nice nature,” he said.

 

Equine Science Lecturer Mr Hunter Doughty from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga said, “Charles Sturt University has an ongoing relationship with the Connemara breed in Australia and Ireland. The stallion was chosen as it is true to that breed and suitable for our students to handle during their studies.” 

 

The stallion comes from impeccable performance bloodlines. His sire, Domo Cavallo Praize is one of the most successful Connemara ponies in Australia winning prizes at Royal Shows, eventing, show jumping and dressage competitions.

 

Glenormiston Celtic Pride’s dam, Glenormiston Dulcinea, is by the Irish imported stallion Abbeyleix Finbar and out of Danish import Oxenholm Dulcinea.

 

Lecturer in Equine Science, Ms Heather Ip said, “Our animal, equine and veterinary science students need to experience the reality of handling horses, including stallions and young horses, as their future career depends upon being able to capably and confidently work with these animals.  We provide this handling experience in a supervised environment, keeping students safe as they learn.”

 

Meanwhile, the ‘maternity ward’ at the Equine Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga is full with six mares due to foal in the coming months.

 

The mares were artificially inseminated last year as part of the CSU breeding program.