u GOSDEN JUBILATION (imp)

* CAPERS *


NF Sect 1 Stallion
Colour: Dark bay
Sire: Katric Capers - Dam: Maystep
Height: 14hh

The year was 1979. This was my first trip overseas. I was leaving husband, children and ponies to visit England, France and Germany looking at New Forest Ponies. We had started breeding New Forest Ponies in 1969 in partnership with Jan Blackburn (McBain). Ten years on I lived in NSW. We had split the mare partnership by tossing a coin to determine who would take the older mare, Peveril Paree with filly foal at foot, and who would take the young mare Forestway Sprig O'Holly. I got Holly and I needed a stallion to broaden the breeding base.
It was a wonderful adventure. I stayed with friends and relatives, stayed with Mrs Haycock of the Peveril Stud, visited many studs and the Forest, but found it very difficult to find a suitable colt. While I was visiting Hop Pocket Stud in Kent I saw the magnificent stallion Peveril Pickwick, who is in the breeding of many of our ponies here. Also at the stud I found Hop Pocket Impression a big black filly. But I didn't find a colt or stallion.
Back in Australia I decided to buy Impression. Soon afterwards her breeder sent me a photo of a yearling colt which she had purchased, shown successfully at his first show, and offered to me. It was a gamble, but I liked the photo, his breeding was good, so out came two youngsters, in thick winter coats to an Australian summer heat wave.
Gosden Jubilation was out of a very old mare called Maystep by Katric Kapers. I had seen Katric Kapers mother with a lovely foal at foot which was a factor in the decision. Evidently the breeder of Gosden Jubilation (Capers) was an elderly lady so he was not handled or disciplined very much until he was sold on. I was kindly warned that I would have to stand over him from the word go. That was good advice and I acted accordingly. There was not an ounce of badness in Capers, but boy! was he a handful until we came to an arrangement that Brian and I were the bosses.
Capers was full of the joy of life. He entered into any activity with verve and zest. He was also a gentleman with the mares and knew the difference between his sex life and his requirements as a working chap. In other words one could serve a mare in the morning and go out riding in company of the same mare in the afternoon. Likewise, at the many events we went to he was usually successful in masquerading as a gelding.
His career moves included showing in hand and under saddle, the carriage driving competition, a minor one day event being ridden by me and jumping is not my comfort zone, but Capers was brilliant and we had clear rounds, parade pony in harness, stock pony and general pleasure riding. He did several CDEs as a single . One day after a horse parade at Scone Horse Festival he was tied up near his gelding son, Erinskay Winchester. They were snoozing away, head to tail in perfect companionship. Why not try a tandem in harness. To commence I would ride Winchester and long rein Capers in front. We went all over the place, up and down the road, through gates and around paddocks until we were ready to hitch up. They were brilliant and successful.
Capers was a real people pony, with a sense of humour. If we were working in the paddock he was always there to give advice. He was well versed in the workings of electric fences. To test if the fence was on he would back up and flick his tail at the wire. One day Brian was fixing an insulator with the fence on. As he squatted by the fence Capers came up behind, looking over Brian's shoulder. Next thing there was a gentle nudge as Capers tipped Brian right onto the live wire. Brian swears he was laughing.
Capers sired many lovely ponies, many with Pykel Pipaluk. He nicked well with mares by Forestway Ascot whose dam was Pipaluk. His progeny have his placid temperament, willingness and personality, making wonderful activity ponies for all disciplines. Mares by Capers have bred extremely well to Erinskay Burberry Brown ( by Peveril Prophet X Hop Pocket Impression) Capers had to be put down while still in his prime at twenty three due to a sudden illness. Capers daughters, Erinskay Masquerade and Erinksay Capercaillie are flying the flag in our new home at Bungendore. Masquerade is a delightful saddle and harness pony. Capercaillie (meaning in Gallic: a large grouse or literally 'horse of the forest', and recently a delicious wine has come out under that name) at four is showing promise under saddle.
A respected New Forest judge and breeder who visited our stud five years ago commented on the correctness of type and bone of the Erinskay ponies. There is always an element of chance in breeding, however by focussing on the breed standard, movement and the temperament our wonderful New Forest Ponies will continue to grow in reputation and popularity.
Written by Ailson Charlton.