Halsteds Gidget HSH

chestnut Mare 25/02/2001 16h ASH C2-245302

HALSTEDS GIDGET (Simmaron x Lady Jayne, by Witchetty)

We sought out Gidget for her heritage bloodlines and type. She was purchased from Hampshire Station at Merriwa, Hunter Valley, NSW sight unseen, off John and Jill Halsted. Her lines go back in tail female direct to the famous Terlings Jewess, whom Australia's greatest polo player, Sinclair Hill, bred and considered his greatest ever playing mare. Jewess had seven foals: Jessica, Lady Jane and Lear (played by Hugh MacLachlan) the most notable (see H&H Nov 1970 article in Files) and Juliet (only a foal at the time of this article).

Gidget is the genuine Hunter Valley stock horse which the Society was set up to record. Says John: "She is sound as a bell and can still be ridden. She is 100% bomb proof. She was my main mustering horse for 10 years and never missed a day off sick. You can carry a sheep on her and do anything you want. She has great "stock sense", she even watches lambs. Her legs are 100%.

The foal on her is her 3rd foal. Secret, the foal on Gidget is a high quality foal. She is of the old "Rannock" type, long rein, short barrow and hind legs up under her. She is a deep rich liver chestnut. Gidget's first foal was born on the 15/9/13, he was put down due to an injury, "Jimmy" was foaled 26/8/14 and "Secret" 9/8/17." Jimmy has done a bit of Polox, Pony Club, and barrel racing for owner Shaynae Mason. Secret was sold by us to Matt Sargood for feedlot work and drafting. He says she is his best horse.

We collected the girls over the long January weekend and in spite of the terrible 41 degree heat, and the arduous, two-day journey, they were an absolute pleasure, loading, traveling and eating exceptionally well. (Unknowingly at the time, Gidget was carrying a full sister, which we aptly named Surprise.)

Simmaron is the sire of Gidget - He is one of the last Star Black Minstril horses still siring today. Says John Halsted: “He has sired a ton of good polocrosse ponies, including Champion Pony at the recent Muswellbrook Carnival (2017). The Simmaron’s are a great line. They are very easy to break in, have great minds and are very easy to teach. They can handle pressure at an early age and are very "cowy."

Witchetty, Gidget's grandsire, is the reason for Chalani seeking this bloodline - He proved to be a remarkable station sire and broodmare producer at both Hampshire and Narrangullen stations. By the legendary Rannock from Glen Devon Candy, an excellent TB polo pony of Hugh Maclachlan's, Witchetty was a lovely riding horse, being a regular mount for Hugh on Narangullen. From little opportunity, he produced top polocrosse horses and the line is still going strong for the Halsteds today. Gidget's dam line is the complete package of great heritage breeding, tracing to the well known Terlings polo ponies. Said John Halsted: "Gidget was bomb proof from the day she was broken in. She did station work up until she had her first foal and was always the go-to horse for inexperienced riders we had working here. She never gave a moment of trouble. It's been 6 or 7 years since she would have been ridden."

So, being empty in 2019 and at 18 years old, Kim popped on to see how Gidget traveled. She just took to it as if she'd been ridden yesterday. Kim's comment - the type of horse anyone can get on (even non-horsey husbands)” During this time she was also loaned to Jess Keenan of “Leading Change Experiences” for use in her teens life-challenge clinics.

Gidget’s first foal by Chalani Sunstream, “Covert Affairs” sold for $8k at one day old to Qld polocrosse players, David and Cathy Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

Progeny

Name	Colour & Sex	Date of Birth	Sire	Dam
Chalani Secret	Chestnut mare	08/08/2017	Peppins Young Ivory	Halsteds Gidget HSH
Chalani Surprise HSH	Bay mare	01/08/2018	Peppins Young Ivory	Halsteds Gidget HSH
Chalani Covert Affairs HSH	Palomino mare	16/09/2020	Chalani Sunstream	Halsteds Gidget HSH
Chalani Mystery	chestnut gelding	24/09/2021	Chalani Sunstream	Halsteds Gidget HSH
Chalani Intrigue HSH	Chestnut mare	29/09/2022	Chalani Sunstream	Halsteds Gidget HSH
Chalani Top Secret	Chestnut mare	04/09/2024	Chalani Sunstream	Halsteds Gidget HSH

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