Woodfield Park was established in 2000 after we purchased a 10 acre bare block of land just 25 minutes from Christchurch in a little township called Cust. I had always had the goal to one day have my own stud farm - and once I decide on something nothing can change my mind.

As I had always had this goal in mind, I purchased Libelle, a weanling purebred trakehner filly in 1994, as a future broodmare. My first foray into breeding was with my thoroughbred mare (Bonny). Sadly, this ended in disaster as the mare had to be put down shortly after birth and left me to handraise the foal. It taught me some very valuable lessons. I then decided that breeding was perhaps not for me if I was going to lose all my dear friends in the process.

But two years later the desire to breed one more became too much and I bought another very good thoroughbred mare (Shirley P) and her put in foal. The result was Woodfieldpark Laharrah. I had taken the mare to be classified for Trakehner breeding with the colt at foot and was told by the president of the Trakehner Verband not to geld him as he was very good - and a shame that he was not a Trakehner. As I had never thought about standing a stallion I decided to take this gentleman's advice and keep the little colt entire - a decision I have not regretted.

We then moved to Cust and I was then offered Marcella, a purebred trakehner mare, and I purchased her the minute I laid eyes on her. She is an outstanding mare.

These mares formed the nucleus of the stud, and with an upcoming colt I was nearly at the starting gate to make my goal a reality.

Without advertising, in 2003 mare owners were starting to call the farm to ask about viewing the stallion. After doing so they wanted to bring their mares. This proved another steep learning curve for me, as I had never handled a stallion during the breeding season. It was interesting to say the least; I am just thankful that Laharrah is such a gentleman and that he takes the time to listen to me and take instructions when and where required.

Since then we have added two more stallions
La Croix and Candries who now stand at stud along side Laharrah. I have also gone to great lengths to import frozen semen of some of the very best Trakehner bloodlines in the world to ensure the trakehner breed does not die out.

With the foundation mares all picked for their temperament, rideability, movement, conformation and bloodlines and being crossed with a quality stallion it increases the chances of breeding quality young stock rather than just breeding for quantity.

We look forward to being of assisting you to breed the next champion!