1979 Mother and Daughter and Father and Daughter Margaret on Falcon and Lydia on Fabiola

Welcome to the history of Taurimu. My name is Margaret Fullerton-Smith. I have been breeding ponies since 1974. At that time we lived one hour from Te Kuiti on 1,400 acres of rolling plateau land. The stud originated at that time when trying to buy a riding pony for our five year old son, Peter.

A 11.2hh black mare, Cindy Sue, was spotted at the local Hunt Club Meet which we belonged to. She had not long been broken in and was being led with a young rider. It was discovered that Cindy Sue was by Te Rangi Marco Polo, a Welsh Sec A who was out of Nattai Blue Bell (Sire: Chawton Glyndwr). So from these very small beginnings began my interest in the Welsh Pony.

In 1978 Chawton Falcon Sec B Welsh (Coed Coch Sirion/Revel Consul) joined the stud on lease. He was purchased the following year. Falcon breed some very nice part Welsh Riding ponies. He was used only over a few pure breeds. One of the offspring is still at the Stud (Taurimu Goldfinch) as a brood mare, after many years under saddle.

All of Falcon's progeny bred at Taurimu are called after birds. On his death his grandchildren have carried this on. Taurimu Goldfinch produced a filly, Taurimu Wren by Malibu Park Desire Sec B Welsh. Taurimu Quail (Sire: Windermere Remember Me, Dam: Taurimu Swallow), a part-bred granddaughter of Falcon's, gave birth to Taurimu Renaissance in 2006 (Sire: Mirinda Hand Painted).

In the years between 1974 & 1985, many ponies were breed by the stud; up to 15 a year all going on and doing well under saddle. There have been too many to mention them all.

In 1985 the stud and our family made a huge move from the King Country to the Manawatu. Peter was now in his last years at school and did not want to farm sheep and cattle, but was very interested in agriculture and arable farming. After 10 years of riding he no longer competed. Cindy Sue had a varied career from there on, being used in the Riding School once our daughter, Lydia, outgrew her. Cindy Sue also had four foals in her life time, and was Peter's very best buddy until the end. She died while we were overseas, with Peter by her side. Peter helped break in many of the stud ponies and also helped with the stallions from time to time.

Windermere Mystic Maid

Kuriheka Petal

Melrose Talk of the Town

Over the many years of the Stud approximately 11 stallions have stood, which include Glynmawr Loganberry (Sec A Welsh) until he was exported to Japan in 1986, as well as Wardendale Courtney Legendell (Courtney Legend/Janell). A home bred Anglo-Arab, Taurimu Melanion, was also used in the early stages. In 1994 Windermere Remember Me joined the Stud remaining until his untimely death in 2001. In that time he sired many outstanding ponies for the Stud and throughout the country. Another stallion who has left his mark at Taurimu is Cusop Display imp. The stud has three brood mares by this very good stallion.

Glynmawr Loganberry

Windermere Remember Me

Courtney Legendell

Between 1980 and 2004, progeny of each year used the appropriate letter of the alphabet, e.g. 1980 "A", to help remember age. Hence such names as Antique Gold, Bellbird, Chaffinch, Dogwood, Eagle, Francis, Finness, Ulysses, Wishfull and so on.

From 1990 until 1998 Lydia, our daughter, was busy with a show team of ponies. She then moved off the ponies and onto hacks. In 1997 the stud started to breed warm bloods using outside stallions.

Taurimu Quantum

Taurimu Remarkable

Margaret with Taurimu Babies

With the introduction of Mirinda Hand Painted and Rathowen Bravo I felt it was a good time to change the naming system. Hand Painted's foals will be named after masters and paintings. Bravo's will start with the letter "B", trying to bring something in from the dams name as well.

The blood lines of Keston Royal Occasion are carried in many top Welsh ponies in all countries. He was the winner of the Sire Ratting in England for 11 years. Mirinda Hand Painted (Squiggles) is a son of this great pony. Squiggles is very much like his sire with a great stance, conformation and nature. He also carries great Section B lines from his Dam, Hazelmere Vanita.

Hazelmere Vanita is a lovely natured mare who has been a great mother of over six foals. These foals have all gone on to do great things. Hand Painted's full brother is a very good child’s pony in Australia. Also a very nice filly by Ninfield Mink Supreme is about to go out under saddle (full sister to Taurimu Minks Surprise). Vanita herself had a successful career under saddle before moving to the broodmare paddock. At the time of purchasing Hand Painted I also bought Hazelmere Vanita, then in foal to Ninfield Minks Supreme (Taurimu Minks Surprise). I just thought she was such a nice mare. She now lives at Taurimu Stud. In 2006 she had a filly to Rathowen Bravo called Taurimu Breath of Heaven.

Taurimu Portrait 2006

Taurimu Michelangelo 2006

Taurimu Picasso 2006

In 2001 the Stud moved to Waipawa, with Windermere Remember Me as resident stallion.

The History of Taurimu is continued on the Taurimu Property page.