Lantana
Given to me as a gift, Lantana became my pride and joy. He still is today.
A white dun with brown features. 12.2hands.
Sired by 'Windrush Golden Star'. A registered palomino stallion.
Out of 'Carilla'. A part welsh mare, chocolate in colour.
Both from Mt Many Peaks WA.
On my first seeing Lantana, I was so excited. I jumped up on his back and he gave a playful pig root. As much to say to me, 'hey you can't jump up there, I don't know you.' It was not long before we became inseparable. He would follow me everywhere, just like a puppy. Every morning before school I would go out and see him and then be scolded because my school uniform was covered in white horse hair. So it was on the school bus to school that I removed all the hair from my uniform.
After seeing the amazing trick ponies at a local circus, I knew one other pony that could do tricks. I taught Lantana many tricks in which he learnt quickly. Bowing, rearing, saying yes & no, counting, and carrying stuff. It certainly impressed a lot of people. I was a self taught rider, but joined the local pony club at Jerramungup to get the polished touch. It was from there I went to my first show with Lantana. The Fitzgerald River Gymkhana & Campdraft. I had entered us in all the events, and didn't really know the rules, but it didn't matter I was on my pony having fun. We won a 3rd place in the Handy pony event. A 1st in the walk trot and gallop, Lantana was the only pony to actually walk. Finally a 3rd place in the bending race.
There was nothing I couldn't do on this plucky little pony. Living on a farm also meant we spent a lot of time herding sheep. Lantana absolutely loved this. My dog Sam use to jump up in front of the saddle and off we would gallop. Eventually Lantana became to small for me, although I still would ride him now and then, I had bought another horse called Ondeena.
No one ever rode Lantana except for me and it was this that led me to my dream. I wanted to breed ponies just like him. Plucky, calm, sturdy and most of all your best friend. So from there I bought Cribby (see stallions) plus Minty and Lilly (see mares). The Lantana Australian Pony Stud was born.
Lantana became not only my inspiration but also my first love.
