New parents David and Amanda Shoobridge who run the very busy Revelwood Stud in NSW made two trips down to Melbourne in the same number of weeks as part of the 2010 calendar for their fabulous imported stallion Smash Hit and the horse did them ... and Australia, proud on each occasion.

Smash Hit is a beautifully conformed black stallion, standing 16.2 and by the German supersire Sandro Hit, from the Premium State Mare, St Pr St Rose Noir.  He  was purchased as a foal from Gestuet Vorwerk in Germany and left to grow up under the watchful eye of Kristy Oatley-Nist at Gestuet Groenwohldhof.  He was imported to Australia as a 2yo in December 2006.  Smash Hit was broken in in May 2007 and commenced his dressage training before undertaking a busy first breeding season.  Smash Hit has been training under Carolyn Lieutenant - a level judge, level 3 instructor,  Australian representative rider and 2000 Coach of the Year.  His particular talent for collection is evident and he is proving himself to be an exciting international prospect for the future.  Smash Hit has also competed in breed shows winning Champion Warmblood at St Ives Show (Aug 09) & Supreme Champion exhibit at the NSW AWHA Gala Day.

In January 2010 he added Champion Warmblood Stallion and Supreme Warmblood at the Melbourne Summer Royal to his CV and experience show judge and rider Karen Fisher rewarded his good looks and outstanding work - he is pictured receiving his trophy from Karen and was expertly handled by David.

Smash Hit had a few days back home before returning to be part of the inaugural Boneo Park/Peter Horobin Equestrian Festival on the 6th February, where he added many new fans including the Olympic Bronze Medallist Heike Kemmer from Germany, who instructed Smash Hit and his rider Gina Montgomery in her Masterclass.  Heike loved Smash Hit and said, "The only problem with this horse is that he is not in Germany for breeding - I would love to take some semen home for my mare.  He could be another Totilas!"

David and Amanda, along with the newest member of the family, Annabel, were very proud to have such a respected international star of the sport express her  genuine enthusiasm in front of such a large and knowledgeable crowd.

David said, "We have been very pleased with the response from breeders - Australian's are becoming far more discerning and they love to see a performance stallion doing their job in Australian conditions, under saddle - doing dressage or showjumping.  Smash Hit demonstrates his lovely temperament and trainable brain wherever he goes, we could not be more pleased."

I asked David if was there any special care and he said, "Of course success is not just one thing.  Amanda started him very well and when she became pregnant, Gina Montgomery took over the ride and struck up a great relationship with the horse and they have worked very well together.  Then there is the right feed to have him looking and feeling like a stallion, but calm and accepting as we need him when he is a dressage horse!  Smash Hit does so well on Prydes Easi Response and Easi Result ... as do most of the horses at Revelwood."

I asked David what they looked for in a horse feed and he said, "We have such a wide range of horses at Revelwood from pregnant broodmares to foals, stallions and riding horses.  We use a variety of Prydes feeds to ensure that their needs are met and I always find the team at Prydes happy to help with dietary advice or formulations.  We love Easi Response and Easi Result with the riding horses and add Rebuild to any horses with low body weights. The broodmares and foals are fed Easi Breed in combination with the 150 pellets.  The Prydes feeds are easy to use and don't require any further vitamins or minerals - if fed in the right amounts."

I acknowledged that people will judge the success of their horse's training, feeding and every day care by their results and David added "Amanda is a vet and she knows the importance of good health and nutrition.  Success starts with good basics -  good basic care, good basic training and good basic feeding.  With up to 115 horses on the stud we need a no fuss, easy to prepare feed that the horses love and do well on.  Both Amanda and I are really pleased to that Prydes Feeds allow us to do our job so well."