Happy 21st Birthday Bundy
CONGRATULATIONS' Bundy On turning 21yrs on the 27 October 2009
I've owned 'Bundy' for about a year now, she's a great little Highland pony, a mouse dun, 13.2hh and is more like a 10yr old than a 21yr old! [A bit like me, I'm 61 but think of myself as the "New 40'!!!!!] We've had lots of fun together already, a couple of Navigational rides, Adult Riding club rallies, Fun Play days with other like minded people who just want to have fun and enjoy their ponies and just hacking out in the beautiful countryside around here, either on our own or in company, and whatever we choose to do, she is happy and willing to participate. [I haven't done a beach ride yet, but hope to soon] At Adult Riding, they have nicknamed her 'Mouse'.
Everywhere I have taken her, [same goes for Toby, my other Highland] people comment on what beautiful ponies they are, and want know what breed they are. They are both good ambassadors for their breed, with their pretty looks and beautiful natures, it would be great to see more people here in 'Tassie' enjoying them as much as I do.
Well 'CHEERS' Bundy, and here's to the next decade or more of fun times together. Mandy.
Haven Gabby, aka Bundy was bred by Mrs Jeffrey in Macclesfield, Victoria. She is out of Taranganba Donia (the dam of Barrymoor Dorian) by the well known Haflinger stallion Admiral. Bundy is a lovely mouse dun mare and stands 13.2hh. She was purchased as a 2yo by Chris Phillips and Jennie Payne from Woodend in Victoria. Jennie and Chris showed Bundy as a youngster in mixed Mountain & Moorland classes and Buckskin classes as she was also registered with the National Buckskin Society. Back then there were no shows with specific Highland classes.
Bundy was broken to harness when she was around 4yrs as well as under saddle. Chris and Jennie had always intended that Bundy be a harness pony and they planned to drive a pair, hence Bundys name, as they were to be Bundy and Coke. She proved to excel in harness and Chris and Jennie did quite a few combined drives with much success. Bundy placed 2nd in her division at the National Championships.
She later developed some feet problems and Jennie & Chris decided to no longer drive her and she was leased to myself (Julia Grave, Harkaway Lodge Stud) in 1998 and later purchased. Bundy was used as a brood mare and became a part of the Highland breeding up program. She proved to be a fantastic brood mare, easy to serve, easy foaled and always got in foal first go. She produced 5 foals and is a grandmother to two females.
1999 Harkaway Lodge Amber, mouse dun mare by Barrymoor Dorian. Retained by HL Stud.
2001 Harkaway Lodge Kyle, mouse dun gelding by Barrymoor Dorian, owned by Beverley Carter, Vic
2002 Harkaway Lodge Eve, yellow dun mare by Barrymoor Dorian, owned by Longridge Stud NSW
2003 Harkaway Lodge Jarrah, red dun gelding by Barrymoor Mercury, owned by Julie Battaglene, Vic
2005 Harkaway Lodge Kurrajong, grey gelding by Barrymoor Mercury, owned by Sarah Curry, Vic.
Bundy was taken to the odd show when she was not in foal. She was always so easy to handle, if was just a breeze taking her out. She went to Melbourne show fir the first time when she was 18yrs old and placed 2nd in the Highland mare class.
My friend Lesley McKay was looking for a horse to ride and I offered Bundy to her as she was not being used at the time. She had not been ridden for at least 10 years so we were not sure what to expect. Lesley lunged her one day and then the next just decided to get on as she showed no signs of not wanting to be ridden. So on she hopped and had a lovely ride. Not bad after 10 or so years!
Lesley started taking Bundy to Adult Riding Club and also started showing her.
She proved to be not too bad over jumps as well
Some of their results were as follows
APOB APSB Show,Tonimbuk -2nd Led M&M Mare, Reserve champion Led and 1st ridden Highland Mare.
2007 Royal Melbourne Show - 1st Led Highland Mare and Champion Led Exhibit. 2nd Ridden Highland
Berwick Agricultural Show - 3rd Led M&M Mare 1st Ridden M&M
Somerville Open Show 2nd led Highland Mare, 1st Ridden Highland mare, Reserve Champion Ridden
Bundy then lived with the Gorick family in Tynong in Victoria and was ridden by their son Ryan who took Bundy to Pony Club.
Bundy then returned to Harkaway Lodge in 2008 and I started riding her myself. We had some lovely rides and also did a few competitions. I took her to the APSB Action Day at Lara and she was the Best performed Highland, taking home prizes in the Handy Mount, ARC Classes and Dressage sections.
After much deliberation I finally decided to put Bundy up for sale as I was pregnant at the time and was not riding. Mandy Laing from Tasmaina purchased her and she could not have gone to a better home, where she is much loved and cared for.
Here's to you Bundy, thank you for being such a wonderful Highland for many people.
Julia Grave
