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Two former Red & Blacks met up last week in Canterbury, New Zealand. 

Canadian resident Tim Footman is on a visit, with his wife Judi to family in Napier and decided to stop off en route to meet up with another Athletic 'old boy' Paul Ffoulkes. Paul played for both Athletic Youth and the Druids in his younger days, which was obviously good grounding for his his future exploits into the 'Sport of Kings'.

Paul & wife Pip own one of New Zealand's leading Horse Stud Farms. Goldengrove Stud Farm is situated in Canterbury in the Country's South Island.

Paul, who emigrated some forty years ago, has built up a reputation of assisting owners to breed World Class horses for New Zealand riders. He has a wealth of knowledge and Goldengrove has a proud 'track' record which is committed to New Zealand Sport Horse Breeding. His latest stallion is named 'Ken Owens' after the Sheriff himself - quite the tribute.

After catching up with all the news on old Carmarthen Town and the Club in particular, the Footman's headed further South to catch up with the family.

Pictured opposite: Goldengrove Stud Farm owner Paul Ffoulkes (left), stallion 'Ken Owens' and Tim Footman.

Paul Ffoulkes has a highly astute ability for assessing pedigrees and bloodlines.   Goldengroves' genetics stack up with the best in the world!   This is because Paul and Pip not only purchase Top Performing Approved Stallions - but also stallions with progeny that are showing all the desirable attributes of a Pre-Potent Pedigree.  While fashions and trends often distract amatuer breeders, the Ffoulkes family history is a commitment to the longterm success of the sporthorse industry.  Retaining essential blood necessary to ensure a New Zealand Performance horse is capable of competing on a world stage, now and for future generations.

This is our commitment to New Zealand Sporthorse Breeding.

During this time Goldengrove analyse alot of information to calculate the potential success rate in the genetics.  It is also necessary to follow  progeny while they are developing and coping with the demands of their chosen discipline or if they become breeding stock themselves.  While this information all takes time to coordinate and become useful, it is important that it is measured to ensure the stallions we select produce; sound, correct, trainable, careful and typey progeny.   Pauls' approach to breeding, often times means he is importing stallions at the end of their professional careers.  This provides transparency for our breeders in that the performance records are available - it also affords breeders confidence when adding 'blood' back into their breeding programmes.