History

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Isle of Wight Farm commenced operation in the 1970's by David Quick. The Stud was named after David's talented thoroughbred horse of that time who took David from Pony club to the long list for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Isle of Wight was a successful steeple-chaser before switching to eventing and showjumping with David and he was buried at the farm under the huge willow tree to be later joined by his mates Nahpro & Grand Flaneur.  

The foundation sire of the stud was Wongalea High Design, a Holsteiner by Flaneur (Imp) from a New Zealand thoroughbred mare. (Flaneur was the first Warmblood imported into Australia). High Design was bred to selected thoroughbred mares that had to meet a criteria for temperament, type and stamina, the ability to gallop on hard or wet going, staying ability and jumping ability.  Then came the impressive & talented Grand Flaneur. He covered High Design mares to begin the line breeding and double crossing back to Flaneur, with the outcrossing of thoroughbred lines. This consistently produced a refined up-hill type with a lovely sloping shoulder and freedom of the front legs that is so prevalent in our stock today.  

Grand Flaneur was a quality stallion with the temperament and trainability to match. His movement was excellent with awesome hock action coupled with the conformation and elastic suppleness that allowed him to really sit. He had a fantastic jumping technique and was a great ride when eventing. A quote from the legendary European Classical dressage Master, Nuno Olivera - "Your stallion has a world class piaffe and passage" - in fact Nuno adored Grand Flaneur.  A real giver, he never said no - he was always willing to give his best.  As a 4 year old he was driven in harness alongside trams in Flemmington Road and was later jumped in the City Square by Olympian Brian Schrapel to help promote the Melbourne Olympic bid. His performances include Victorian Novice Dressage Champion, Champion Ridden Stallion at Melbourne Royal, Champion Warmblood Horse of the Year, Champion Jumping Equitation Horse of the Year and many more. 

 Other stallions followed - Nahpro, an Arctic Explorer /Better Boy cross was bred and raced by David and trained by David's father Jack.  Nahpro was named "orphan" spelled backwards as his dam suffered a broken  leg and hence Nahpro was reared by hand.  In keeping with David's policy of not breaking - in horses too young Nahpro was left until 3 years old to break -in and was raced once as a late 3 year old, after which he didn't race  until 4 yrs of age when he went on to win 5 races at country & metropolitan tracks. He started out as a sprinter and could handle hard tracks, then as a 5 year old he developed into a middle distance horse that could come from last in a mile and win on hard or wet tracks. Most importantly he could jump.  

The next stallion was Melody Contact II by the Holsteiner Contact (Imp) from a thoroughbred mare who was a full sister to the Australian showjumping champion Spring Melody. Put to a Flaneur mare later , he produced one of the most talented Grand Prix Dressage horses ever seen in Australia, Isle of Passage, later to compete as "H.R.H." with owner Claire Wickens. Unfortunately Melody Contact II was used lightly as he died at only 8 years of age. Next came Sowview Romboli by Romedio from a Flaneur mare.  Romedio's sire line went back through Rigoletto to the famous Ramzes,  progenator of the famous "R" line horses such as Retina Z and Classic Touch, World and Olympic Champions and Rembrant, Olympic Gold in Dressage. We took Romboli to Grand Prix in dressage whilst he  was used as a brood mare sire to create another branch of the Flaneur mare line.  

Grande Isle was next. Being by Grand Flaneur and from a Romedio mare out of a Boss-Cockie mare by Flaneur he is one of the most stunning looking stallions. He has an elegant head, a magnificent front and great top line and he stamps his progeny with that look-at-me. Although he did not compete due to an injury he passes on his super temperament and movement - a truly modern stallion with scores of 9 from the German breeding expert Dr Roland Ramseuer for his canter and jump. With a total score of 85% from Dr Ramseuer he remains one of this highest scoring horses in Australia and quote "the ideal modern sporthorse".  

Isle of Aspen is a special stallion combining  the famous Holsteiner "R" line with that of Lorenz by the famous Lady Killer (TB) and to add, Farnese and Marlon. Although just on 16 hands Aspen has a super rhythmic trot, an awesome buoyant canter and stunning looks. He has only been lightly shown for a win in showjumping & Champion Jumper at the Holsteiner Show at Werribee & competed only twice in Dressage for a win in Novice with 72% at Werribee. His progeny are now winning and placing in all disciplines.   An extremely pre potent stallion,  stamps his movement with the same rhythm and cadence with super hock action.

 Magnetic Isle represents the first cross of the legend Cor-de-la-Bryere through Calypso 1 and Contact and the Australian jumping line of Souvenir. We are so impressed with his stock - they have amazing top lines, great shoulder action and hock flexions. Magnetic Isle is so exciting with excellent riding horse qualities and a great jumping technique. 

Isle of Wight Farm currently carries 25 brood mares with a range of young stock for sale. Each year some foals will be chosen to stay on at the stud to be broken in and campaigned and the majority will be conditioned and prepared for sale as 2 year olds. Each member of the brood mare is understood as an individual with their temperament , conformation and ability and knowing them so well it is fair to anticipate their progeny when joined with either of our stallions. The stud stands proud off its stock - their generous and friendly temperament, their world-class mechanics and their general appealing disposition and conformation.