From Roaming the Ranges to life on the farm

24/07/2025

BRASSY and Stevie-raye Ball’s 8-Week Training Update, for the The English Saddle Company Kaimanawa Legacy C**t Challenge, which is being hosted at in October!

Brassy has made incredible progress over the last eight weeks and is really starting to shine. He now halters and unhalters calmly, showing a real sense of trust and confidence in his handling. One of the big milestones we’ve reached is float loading—Brassy now loads onto the float quietly and with no hesitation, which is a huge achievement and sets him up well for future travel.

Brassy has mastered side passing and confidently crosses a range of obstacles both on the lead and at liberty. It’s been amazing to see him work with focus and willingness, especially during liberty sessions where he’s shown real connection and understanding. From tarps to poles and platforms, he’s handling them all with a calm, thinking attitude.

We’ve also been going on regular adventures around the property. These outings have helped build his confidence in new environments and he’s been taking everything in stride—exploring with curiosity and staying connected throughout.

Brassy has now been fully fence trained and is getting very close to being ready to come home. He’s taken everything in his stride, and I couldn’t be happier with his progress. He’s growing into a brave, responsive, and trusting partner—and I can’t wait for this next chapter with him.

20/07/2025

Brassy loves attention, even from the smaller members of our family

15/07/2025

So Brassy has graduated to life on the farm and is settling in beautifully. Stevie is loving every moment of having Brassy home. A massive thank you to Simone and Bryce Frewin for hosting them thru the initial stages. Brassy and Stevie were fortunate to have a wonder sponsor Jennifer Partridge who we cant thank enough. Also the amazing feed Brassy gets generously donated from Feed2U. A special mention also to Cynthia Keay for her constant support.

01/07/2025

Brassy on more adventures, he is loving the outside world.
Was lovely to have Morgan Chandler-Bruce Equestrian come for a visit and snap a few shots of the duo.
He is looking great with his awesome feed kindly sponsored by Feed2U.

08/06/2025

Such a successful weekend for this duo

Today marked an amazing moment for Brassy as he went on his first adventure after learning to lead yesterday!! I am thrilled to witness him starting to love his demesticated life, Thanks to Simone for bring a friend out for Brassy. Brassy is looking amazing and round thanks to Feed2U. I am grateful for the support of Jenifer and Cynthia

08/06/2025

What a week for Brassy, learning lots more skills. Having his first outing from the yard and wanting to explore more.

I feel adventures are going to be what he loves ❤️
Tape training is coming up and what fun that will be with his curiosity.

Stevie made sure she gave him an extra hug for you Jennifer.

How good is this boy starting to look thanks to his awesome feed and supplements from Feed2U

02/06/2025

This finally happened today, so peacefully and calm.
There had been alot of frustration along the way with this process taking longer than last year but great learnings for Stevie with this boy. Breaking each step down more and more.
Thank you Morgan Chandler-Bruce for being there for her technology is brilliant
Brassy is feeling better now he is being treated for ulcers and on great feed and supplements from Feed2U
Brassy is a full character and is going to keep Stevie on her toes every step of the way

28/04/2025

On the last minute of the last hour pretty much literally an application went in for Stevie to tame a horse from the 2025 muster to compete at equifest in October.
We had alot of arm pulling and couldn't turn down all the offers of help and support so that brings us to today.
Today we welcomed Brassy off the truck and into the yards at Simones.
Brassy was documented in Feb 24 born in 2023

His name comes from a hairdressing term for unwanted golden or orange tones in the hair.
His sire is Rasta an absolute stunning stallion.

Watching the emotion Stevie showed as he arrived was priceless.

Watch this space as a new journey unfolds.

21/10/2024

15/10/2024

NSC KAIMANAWA JUNIORS & JUVENILES: 5 MONTH UPDATE
Cash and Stevie-Raye

Cash and I have been out and about to many places over the past few weeks since our last update, including pony club and showjumping events.

He has been loving the attention he gets while we are out and about, he lets strangers take him on walks and having multiple little kids giving him cuddles.

Cash has been coming on walks with me to get the cows in for milking, he thinks he is a stock horse as he just loves to chase the cows! This past month I have just been spending most of the time building my bond with Cash, lots of grooming sessions, baths, adventures, preparing everything for Equifest, learning new tricks and just hanging out.

I love this little pony more and more everyday and we are so excited to be able to compete at Equifest in just a few weeks!

04/10/2024

5 months out of the wild and look at him now. Preparing for equifest was a family affair today

09/09/2024

Meet our third competitor in the NSC Kaimanawa Legacy Juniors & Juveniles Challenge.

CASH AND STEVIE-RAYE
MENTORED BY Morgan Chandler-Bruce Equestrian
4-MONTH UPDATE

Meet Cash, also known as Embezzler. I like to believe that Cash and I were destined to be together; weeks before he arrived, I knew Cash would be his name, and after learning that his name in the database is Embezzler, the name Cash was perfect.

I was fortunate to be able to do the majority of Cash's training in the yards, with my mentor Morgan Chandler-Bruce directing me from the sidelines and stepping in to demonstrate how to position my body. On day one Cash was eating grass out of my hand after working with him for only 10 minutes.

Cash is very curious about people and loves to have all the attention, kisses and cuddles. Cash takes on everything with no fear, he loves to go on adventures to the beach, and he finds obstacles so much fun. He also loves his hard feed and is lucky to be sponsored by Feed2U.

Cash has become part of our family; even the non-horsey members come to give him pats and love, as we all just adore his sweet and cheeky personality.

Cash’s gelding didn't go to plan when we figured out he was a rig although his surgery went perfectly. A massive thank you to Kaimanawa Heritage Horses for funding Cash’s trip down to Karaka for his surgery and Vet Associates for taking good care of him. Cash has also had successful first trims and has been taught to pony off my other horses.

Cash is everything I want and more, and is truly my best friend!

More about Stevie-Raye:
Hi, my name is Stevie-Raye Ball, I’m 16 and have had a love for horses for as long as I can remember although I didn't grow up with a horsey family and only started riding when I was 13. Since then I have become a competitive show jumper, competing up to 105cm. I was extremely fortunate when Morgan Chandler-Bruce asked if I wanted to be mentored to train my own Kaimanawa. I quickly accepted her offer, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I have learnt so much through this experience and got a best friend out of it. I am so excited to show off Cash in the Juniors & Juvenile competition at Equifest!