FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Gelan: April 3, 1983 - November 19, 2006

November 19, 2006: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our foundation stallion, Gelan. Thank you to everyone who had been a part of Gelan's life, and ours. Gelan In Memorium

Updated stallion video now available in DVD format - 2006:

Thank you everyone for your patience. Our updated stallion video is now available. Please contact us for your complimentary copy. It is still a work in progress ... some of the footage was quite old and appeared dark. That has now been corrected by going back to original footage. We hope you enjoy the new production!

2004 BC CWHBA Stallion Service Auction - FOAL FUTURITY

Blatent Brag!! Mirrabook Farms are proud to announce that the 2004 colt out of Southern Reflection (Artenstolz/Godewind) by Kingston was awarded Champion Foal at the 2004 BC Foal Futurity held Sunday, September 5, 2004. This stunning colt will remain with Mirrabook Farms to grow up before heading to his new owner, Sarah Lorenz of Washington to join her current Preliminary horse, Southern Panache (Eddie) who placed at the Island 22 Event the same weekend.

Reserve Champion went to the Oberon colt (Zephyr) for owner/breeder Nanci Besner and third to a Tramino colt (Troubadour) owned and bred by Sandra Corsan.

Southern Byrne: August 19, 1984 - May 20, 2004

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of our first warmblood foals ever bred on May 20, 2004. Southern Byrne was by Glenmacken (Glencoe) and out of the good *Final Award daughter Splash Down, the dam of numerous top quality competition horses many of which are still active in competition. He was foaled on our original farm in Delta, and was a very late foal since the mare had her first foal at foot and we did not think she would catch that year. Seems she had other ideas after all, and presented us with Byrne in August of 1984.

Byrne was purchased as a gangly 18 month old by our good friend Linda Dieno and has been loved and developed over these past years to the Prix St Georges level of Dressage. Byrne was a once in a lifetime horse that exuded presence anywhere he went, all the while maintaining a puppy dog personality and good nature. He had a love of life that was evident to all who met him and a heart as big as they come with his willingness to work. He reserved his bucking for play, and much to Linda's relief, never offered that talent under saddle.

Who can ever forget the tiny 15.3 hand 3 year old that finished at 16.2 H, or the 'pinto' horse that bites like a wasp! Actually, it really was a wasp, but Byrne thought it was his pasture buddy! Or the cheeky playing with the water taps at the Chilliwack horse show with Deacon ... strange how our horses weren't in their assigned stalls the next morning!

Over the years Byrne won every title there was to win in the Canadian Sport Horse Association and in open competition. He consistently won or placed wherever he competed. Most of all, he gave Linda the confidence and opportunity to learn as he was very forgiving and tolerated the learning process.

Linda, we grieve with you. Bryne was a very special friend.

May 7 - 9, 2004: Southlands Spring Dressage Show

Tramino has returned to the competition ring wth a new rider. In his first recognized show since 2002, was the highest scoring Prix St. Georges horse over all 3 days of the Southlands Spring Dressage Show, May 7th - 9th in Vancouver, B.C. He scored 66.25% in his debut show with new rider Esther Mortimer - shown below with Tramino, the 'Claire & Telf Maynard Memorial Trophy', and of course, the bottle of champagne! Congratulations to Esther Mortimer and her fabulous support crew who not only looked after Tramino and Esther, but Marilyn as well.

FORMAAT: 1987 - April 22, 2003

Dear Breeders & Friends:

So close on the loss of Artenstolz, it is again with a very heavy heart that I write here of this tragic loss to the breeding industry. We report the death today of Formaat ... a much loved and admired stallion that brought great joy to all who knew his gentle nature and the easy rideability and temperament of his get. Formaat was at home on Rafter 5 Ranch in Kamloops.

Shawn and Jenny are devastated as can be imagined. At ths time, Shawn is still coming to terms with this tragic loss, but will talk to breeders in the coming days/weeks about plans for this breeding season. He will be looking for a new stallion.

In the meantime, if you require more information, please contact Marilyn at inquire@mirrabookfarms.com.

2003 Canadian Warmblood National Stallion Service Auction: ALL services sold!

We at Mirrabook Farms are proud to continue supporting our National breed organization. The Auction ran March 16th. Once again, all farm and affiliate stallions donated to the 2003 CWHBA Stallion Service Auction were sold for good bids with Artenstolz being close to the top bid. Thank you all who bid on these boys Artenstolz, Formaat, Kingston, Oberon, Palmar and Tramino to make this once again a great Auction and fund raiser for CWHBA. We are looking forward to seeing those foals out next year in the Futurity!

ARTENSTOLZ: March 13, 1980 - December 16, 2002

Dear Breeders & Friends: It is with a heavy heart that I post this note. After a lengthy struggle with some form of neurologic problem, his owner decided to put Artenstolz down due to complications associated with it. As you can imagine, it was hard to come to this decision, but Wendy felt it was best for him. As always, his spirit was indomitable even to the end and he died with dignity as suits him. He will be missed.

Artenstolz was a grand gentlemen and made a significant impact on the scene during the years he was here. We at Mirrabook Farms are blessed to have known him personally through all of those years and to have first hand watched the special partnership that he and Wendy shared. The daughters we have are a living testament to his strength of spirit, his impressive presence and his extreme willingness to work. Those progeny are precious ... look after them.

If anyone has any questions about their breeding, please contact me directly e-mail. I am sure that Wendy would be delighted to hear about Arte's kids from those of you who have them, or are expecting them. We do have frozen semen available to select mares. Artenstolz

TRAMINO foal wins 2002 B.C. Foal Futurity.

The striking chestnut colt out of Southern Elite earned a score of 32 points (8 average), a whole two points ahead of the reserve champion, to take the Champion ribbon and cheque. This quite young colt wowed the spectators and judges with his type and presence together with his gaits! Judges: Mr Manfred Lopp Dr Fredrickson; Mr Chris Gould and Ms Jennette Coote. We have included some photos of him on our stallion tape.

Easter Lilly is Mare Champion at the 2002 Canadian Warmblood Inspection.

Our newly purchased Hanoverian Mare - Easter Lilly, by Empire, was Mare Champion at the 2002 B.C. Canadian Warmblood Mare Inspections. Judged by Mr Manfred Lopp, former Senior Trainer at Adelheidsdorf; Dr Fredrickson, of Sweden; and Ms Jennette Coote, Stud Book Committee member. Special thanks to Kelly Mooney of Washington for making this purchase possible. Lilly has been bred to Tramino for a foal of 2003.

2002 Canadian Warmblood National Stallion Service Auction: ALL services sold!

Four of our stallions are participating in the new 2002 National Stallion Service Auction on March 17, 2002. Participating were: Artenstolz, Formaat, Kingston and Tramino. All four stallions sold well, with Artenstolz the second high selling stallion of the auction ...... thank you to all who supported our stallions in this auction.

TRAMINO comes to Mirrabook Farms for 2001 breeding season.

We at Mirrabook Farms are very excited to welcome the approved Westfalen and Canadian Warmblood stallion TRAMINO to join out stable in 2001. This elegant son of Traumprinz is an imported Rheinland stallion from Germany, where he passed the 100 day stallion performance test with good marks in both dressage and jumping at Munster-Handorf. He is currently competing at the FEI levels of dressage and will be a welcome addition for warmblood breeders in the Pacific Northwest. TRAMINO also participated in the National Stallion Servcie Auction and is a nominated sire to the 2002 Foal Futurity.

2001 Canadian Warmblood National Stallion Service Auction: ALL services sold!

We at Mirrabook Farms are proud to support our National breed organization. Four of our stallions are participating in the new 2001 National Stallion Service Auction which closed March 11, 2001. Participating are: Artenstolz, Formaat, Kingston and Oberon. All four stallions sold well, with Artenstolz the high selling stallion of the entire auction ...... thank you to all who supported our stallions in this auction.

Dutch Truffle is Hi-score Canadian Warmblood at the 2000 Open Mare Test.

Dutch Truffle - First foal of Southern Elite by the Dutch Warmblood Wodan, awarded 1st premium score of 7.66 at the Open Mare Test in September 2000, organized by the Westfalen Breeders of Germany. Judged by Dr Maharens of Warendorf, Germany (Westfalen Breeding manager), Mr Manfred Lopp, former Senior Trainer at Adelheidsdorf; Mr Albert Kley, riding master at Spruce Meadows; and Mrs Margret Dieckmann, Senior Westfalen Test Rider, Germany. Congratulations to owner, Gail Buchamer. Dutch Truffle (aka Kalima) competes at the Medium 2/3 level in Dressage.

Canadian Warmblood Stallion Performance Test Names First Champion: (full report)

Champion Carthago Sun 1, a four year old Canadian Warmblood stallion, by the International Olympic jumper CARTHAGO Z out of Davos by Schampus xx, received a general index score of 124.66. A compact grey stallion, with good basic gaits, a nice top line, and excellent balance, technique and scope in jumping, he typifies the modern warmblood . His quality was further confirmed by good scores from all four test riders. Following closely behind were three stallions. The Canadian Warmblood KINGSTON by Martin's Worry xx with 117.65, Dutch Warmblood NOVALIS by Jus de Pomme with 117.53 and Hanoverian BONAPARTE by Buenos Aires with 117.06. Six other stallions were also entered in the Stallion Book for a total of 10 new Approved stallions.

Following the German format, indexes were calculated within the group to provide for an overall general index (GI), a dressage index (DR I), and a jumping index (JU I). A total of 14 different scores covering Interior Characteristics, Gaits, Rideability and Jumping were used.

Placing. Name; Sire/Dam's Sire; Breed; General Index; Dressage Index/placing; Jumping Index/placing

2. KINGSTON; Martin's Worry xx/Naturel; Cw; 117.65; 114.16/4; 114.89/4
7. OBERON; Idocus/Kristal; NA/WPN; 95.54; 108.54/5; 80.73/9

Formaat son winning in Phoenix: Now WINNING at Prix St George!

Below .... from the Chronicle of the Horse February 25th, 2000.

As reported in the 'Chronicle of The Horse' Friday February 25th, Dale Irwin and his 1993 Canadian Warmblood gelding VISION by Formaat have started out the 2000 show season with a bang .... winning Open 4th Level Test 2 and 2nd in 4th Level Test 1 at the Santa Rita Dressage Show held February 5 & 6 in Phoenix, Arizona. Look at the new photographs posted. Thank you Dale for sending those photos.

ALL SERVICES SOLD! in the 2000 Canadian Warmblood National Stallion Service Auction:

We at Mirrabook Farms are proud to support our National breed organization. Four of our stallions participated in the National Stallion Service Auction which closed March 26, 2000. Participating were: Artenstolz, Formaat, Kingston and Oberon.

We are proud to announce that all services sold and would like to congratulate the successful bidders: Pat Slimmon of Sask. on Artenstolz; Lisa Atkinson of B.C. on Formaat; Jennifer Apistoli of B.C. on Kingston and Esther Pedersen of Fort St John, B.C. on Oberon. Thank you to all the breeders who contacted us about the stallions.

This auction raised an incredible $29,000+ for CWHBA of which over $12,000 will go into foal futurity prize funds for 2001 in the various provinces. Please remember, that ALL foals by our stallions are eligible to enter a foal futurity in the province where you reside.

Mirrabook Farms Sport Horses featured in Canadian Equine Magazine:

We at Mirrabook Farms are honoured that we were invited to be interviewed for an article which appeared in the January 2000 issue of Canadian Equine Magazine about our farm, breeding and coaching program. Contact us for a reprint!

Mirrabook Farms Sport Horses Establishes Internet Presence:

December 1999: Welcome to our brand new domain web site - now officially 5 years old. We hope you enjoy our presentation of stallions and young performance prospects offered herein. Special thanks to webmaster, Bruce Powell of Kabaya Pty. Ltd. Australia and Alter Net Internet for set up assistance. Please visit us often as changes are made to our site and new photographs are added.