The "End of an Era" Sale Report

On Saturday 28th January, 2006 our "End of an Era" Sale went off as planned. A lovely summer's day with a light breeze which kept the temperature down, the paddocks were lush and green thanks to the rain of the preceding weeks. Interest in the sale came from far and wide.  It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces too, and have the opportunity to chat with them. The horses were in individual yards for inspection at 11:00 am and at 12:00 pm the horses were worked in the open paddock with a commentary given by Maureen Walker (see at right).

	The riders, Lindy Walker Johnson, Nellie Evans and Haley Jeffreys along with leader, David Smith of Yarra Heights Pony Stud of Yarramalong put on a sparkling display which showed the hard work they had done in preparation of the horses as many of the young horses had only recently been broken in.  All of the horses performed with kindness, showing wonderful length of stride and complete lack of attention to the cars and motor bikes that whizzed along Yarramalong Road which runs along one side of the working area. Shelter for the large crowd was provided in a marque with rustic seating made from blocks cut from a tree and large timber planks, along with many country type garden seats. At the end of the demonstration of horses and before the Sale commenced Bruce Walker entertained the crowd with poems from his book "On the Spur of the Moment." Pat Levick, wife of Paul, and Amanda Marfleet manned the office table. The local Wyong Creek Public School P&C ran the canteen and provided food and drinks - a special thanks to them for providing this much needed service.
It's fun watching Mum training the horses - but it just goes on & on... Keeley 8 mths		Sale Day - A busy day but Mum Lindy, does have time for a cuddle from Luke.

Marena Sirocco, one of the last Sun Puff (Imp) foals was sold to Mr Michael Scafidi of Clybucca, who has had great success with his pony, Marena Royal Dream.

Rod and Gayna Harvey purchased two of the Broodmares, Marena Sun Folly and Marena Elite to start their Santana Stud which will be aimed at breeding special ponies suitable for children.  Both mares had been served by Marena Sky Chief.

Marena Moondust was sold prior to the Auction to 4 year old Tameeka Woodbury who is riding her happily everywhere.  They even attended Pony Club recently and participated in all the activities.

The success of the Sale was due in no small part to the effort of many fine folk who helped during preparations and the event: Pat & Paul Levick, Brian McDonald, Kath Jones, Andrea Evans, Gittan Ingles, Cheryl Anderson, Kier Ferrie, Emma Hollows, Kristie Nichols, Sarah Micellef, Tammy Arundel, Amanda Marfleet, Jared Ashbrook, Nicki Melross, Alex Keith, Haley Jeffreys, Ellie Nichols, Anna Nichols, Mikayla Symonds, Jessie Johnson, Janet Newcombe, Sharon Ridsdale, Peter Walker, Meaw (from Thailand), Brad Walker and Lindy Walker Johnson.

The catalogue is no longer available.... but if you still wish to see the horses that were For Sale, click on the following link to The "End of an Era" Sale page. 
A slightly reduced version is presented there along with separate files for each of the horses that was offered for Auction.

The Future

With the success of the Sale on 28th January, we are contemplating a similar sale once a year.  As Lindy has two small children it is difficult to run Marena Stud and show horses extensively to perform and sell horses.

If an annual sale was held, Lindy would have 12 months to train the horses in the special Marena Way that has proved so successful over the years.  The horses would then be offered fully trained and ready to go with.  This is an interesting concept that we are fully investigating.  We would like your thoughts about such a sale - if you would let us know your ideas or suggestions by phone or e-mail we would be most grateful.

Of course though retired, Bruce and I will be their to help and support Lindy when we are home.  I will still have an interest with my few brood mares and I do enjoy watching the breaking in and training of the young horses as they develop into such wonderful and responsible animal under our careful tuition.

Lindy will concentrate on the riding lessons and the schools and will expand that side of the business.  She will do horse training for other people but do fewer show competitions.

The stallions will stand at Stud for the 2006 season.  Shifting, Marena Legende, Marena Sky Chief, Cedar Lodge Conrad and our Warmblood stallion by Salute, Marena Gala Salute.  Bookings are now being taken and a Stud Brochure is available.  Agistment will be available in the stables and yards as well as our lush paddocks with plenty of shade and safe fences.

As part of our retirement plans, we aim to travel with friends Pauline & Rod Fredericks of Perth to England and then on to Kentucky.  The Fredericks' son, Clayton lives in England now and competes in all major Eventing fixtures.  He has produced a special dressage saddle and another for jumping that he introducing to the market.  Whilst in England we will be staying with Clayton and attending horse events.

While we are in Kentucky we will attending a Four Star Horse Trials to promote Clayton's new saddles.  We will stay in Lexington, the home of the great US Thoroughbred sales, tour the Blue Grass country of Kentucky and visit the famous Thoroughbred horse studs.

From there we return to England to attend the Badminton Horse Trials before coming back home.

Our congratulations to the buyers of our horses at the End of an Era Sale.  We wish you the very best of luck with them.

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HB & M Walker

336 (RMB 1116) Yarramalong Road, Wyong NSW 2259          Phone/Fax: +61 (0)2 4352 1707
Mobile: +61(0)418 433 710 or +61(0)408 611 556        E-mail: marenastud@bigpond.com

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