It was with real saddness that I learned of the passing of one of New Zealands top Breeders.
Bev Morrissey and her husband John operated Taralea Arabians in Canterbury. Over three decades of breeding they have produced some of the best stock this country has seen.
Not only have the Taralea horses been successful in the showring and under saddle, they have served as invaluable foundation stones on which many studs throughout New Zealand have been based.
The breed has lost yet another invaluable enthusiast.
On the right is a very poor photo I took at this years National Champs. Bev is hugging the handler of her stallion Fairview Shakla's Khalif. Khalif has just been awarded 2008 Nat Ch Stallion. It was a very emotional occassion. Khalif had been knocking on the door for some years and 2008 was when the door was flung open and he was invited to join the ranks of other stallions to go into NZ Arabian history.
I would like to draw your attention to what I consider an worthy and uplifting story.
This Sunday just past, I was introduced to a very intelligent and unassuming woman by the name of Shirley Nolan from Pleasant Point, South Canterbury.
Shirley is putting together a Calendar that will feature female fire fighters from various regions throughout New Zealand. Her desire is to raise awareness of the contribution female firefighters make to the Fire Service.
The proceeds from the calendar will be going to the Breast Cancer Foundation and Shirley is doing all of the organising and photography for the calendar herself at her own expense, which includes travelling around the country and gathering the material.
The whole enterprise exhibits the type of altruism that deserves to be promoted. I also believe that like myself, other people will be heartened to learn that there are still genuine New Zealanders out there using their initiative to benefit other New Zealanders.
Here the link to the project blog. http://newzealandfemalefirefightercalendar.blogspot.com/
Shirley is a fire fighter, mother and grandmother, and works for Bluebird Foods Timaru driving a fork lift. It is a great story. I hope you feel as inspired as I was.
The sky is the limit.
Had a wonderful start to the day today.
On arriving at the vineyard at 8.30 am I was greeted by the most amazing sky.
Had my camera with me, so got some shots before the scene dissipated into a vague memory.
The mountains covered with snow a the Saint Mary's Range and the peaks that dominate the Ostler Vineyard skyline are Mount Domett.
I never get tired of trying to capture Domett in it's infinite guises throughout the seasons and even within a single day.
You may have noticed that a study of Domett in winter is featured in our stud title. One of these days I intend to get myself organised enough to climb this mountain. Till then, I shall just have to keep admiring it from afar.
