KNOWLE ROCK

"A little bit special"

By Keith Turner

The stallion 'Bertus' and Knowle Rock itself.

Dominating its own lovely valley in the heart of the county of Somerset in England's west country lies Knowle Rock. Back in 1991 this old house and its surrounding farm land was known to few but the immediate locals. Indeed, it is so well off the beaten track, overlooked by no one, that most people were simply unaware of its existence. The name Knowle Rock is derived from the impressive fossil-filled and greenery-clad outcrop of stone which, positioned on the highest ground, stands sentinel over the house and garden. From here the broad fields slope gently down to the boundary woods of oak, beech, hazel and hornbeam through which winds a wide stream. The centuries old house of Knowle Rock once presided over its own hamlet of humble dwellings, all trace of which have long since disappeared except for some grass covered mounds and various tumbled collections of stones.

In 1991, captivated by this rare setting, Keith and Corinna Turner bought the farm, which had hitherto been home to 400 pedigree Romney sheep, and set about creating what today is recognised by many as that "somewhere special for horses".

Measure by measure as the weeks and months went on, the vision gradually became reality. Buildings were purpose-built or redesigned, fields were improved and safety fenced - and an alarm system installed ensuring total security from unauthorized visitors. With the facilities in place, and tranquillity assured, the scene was set to give horses of all disciplines a much-needed rest and/or recuperation. The Turners firmly believe, and prove it all the time, that a horse's physical well-being and appearance is directly related to the state of its mental health. That is why a "certain atmosphere" is so important, and is very much present at Knowle Rock. It is the first impression that the horse experiences as he walks off the horsebox on arrival; there should be no sense of pressure, no hurry and no worry. Racehorses in particular are, by the very nature of their job, subjected to a great deal of pressure. Heavy demands are made of them, both physically and mentally. Therefore, it is not surprising that when horses arrive at Knowle Rock for a well-earned rest, they are often very tense, anxious, remote and lacking in confidence. Eventers and dressage horses alike have also benefited from the complete "rest-cure". They are all given the time to revert to being just horses, to inter-react socially with each other, and gradually to thrive again. If it is the owners wish, then the Turners gently introduce a programme of exercise tailored to the individual horse in preparation for their eventual return to their particular work.

Many quality foals are born on the stud each year.

Every stud season since the Turners came to Knowle Rock, they have been proud to stand the Champion Performance Connemara stallion Finchampstead Curtain Call, owned by the renowned Miller sisters. In this time he has covered many mares, mostly thoroughbreds, for the breeding of high class performance cross-breds. In 1999, he returns for his seventh season to stand alongside an exciting new arrival to Knowle Rock - Ninfield Mink's Supreme, the 11 year old Supreme Champion 13.2 Riding Pony stallion by Wingrove Minkino. It will be Ninfield Mink's Supreme's first time in England's west country. During the summer months mares are also brought to Knowle Rock to foal. With round-the-clock observation, help is always at hand to assist where necessary in the birth of quality foals destined to race, event or show.

The season of 1997 saw another landmark as Knowle Rock, which had teamed-up with professionals in equine artificial insemination known as Equine Genetics, was granted a British Government Ministry licence for an International Quarantine and Artificial Insemination Centre. The whole subject of 'AI' is clearly a growth industry of huge dimension for all horse owners, and the results experienced at Knowle Rock have been particularly interesting and rewarding. Some lovely stallions have enjoyed a change of scene at Knowle Rock for the 30 days' quarantine period preceding semen collection. After the semen has been collected and processed in the on-site laboratory, and fully tested for quality and 'freezability', the stallion is able to return home, and his semen despatched to its intended destination(s) - world-wide!

The Turners' beautiful friesian mare and her foal.

Even the Turners have a sideline, a hobby that could be considered by many as a "busman's hobby"! Soon after their arrival at Knowle Rock they were introduced to Friesian horses - referred to as the Black Pearls of the Netherlands. They fell for these beautiful, powerful yet graceful black horses that are an obsession in their native Holland for driving and dressage. Precisely how, when and where the Turners got involved with Friesian horses is another long story, but suffice it to say that they own the only stallion with breeding privileges to cover Friesian registered mares in England, Scotland and Wales. They also imported a beautiful Friesian star mare from Friesland which has already provided them with the best British foal of 1997.

Knowle Rock, in its most recent incarnation has come a long way in a short time, and the Turners have taken much pleasure from meeting a very broad cross-section of the horse-loving community, making many firm friends - both human and equine! Involvement and commitment are total which the Turners know is essential in achieving and maintaining the well-being of the horses in their care. As they themselves say in their brochure ".....Most of all we offer time, a wealth of experience and infinite patience!".

Supreme Champion Riding Pony Stallion - Ninfield Mink's Supreme.

The following stallions will be standing at Knowle Rock for this stud season:

Exciting new arrival in the West Country, the Supreme Champion Riding Pony Stallion, NINFIELD MINK'S SUPREME.

He comes from a legendary family of winners - his full sister, Ninfield Great Expectations was 13.2hh Pony of the Year, Wembley and British Open Champion. Highly successful himself, he has all of the necessary qualities to breed top class ponies.

Chestnut 13.1 h.h. 1988
By: Wingrove Minkino
Ex: Wingrove Stormaway
The property of Mrs M.E.Davey
Stud Fee: £250

Champion Connemara Performance Stallion - Finchampstaed Curtain Call

We are delighted that the Champion Connemara Performance Stallion FINCHAMPSTEAD CURTAIN CALL will be returning for 1999.

This Champion M&M, WHP and Performance stallion continues to be a most successful sire of pure & partbred stock. He is a proven working pony talented in many fields. All his progeny possess his lovely temperament and versatility.

Bay 1984 14.0 h.h.
By: MacNamara
Ex: Sydserff Bacarra
The property of the Misses Miller's Rosenaharley Stud
Stud Fees:
£200 - mares over 148cms
£150 - 148cms and under

Bertus

The only Dutch Registered Friesian Stallion in the United Kingdom with F.P.S. [Friesch Paarden-Stamboek] Breeding Privileges, BERTUS.

This majestic and intelligent horse much loved in both Holland and in UK sires wonderful Friesian stock. A supreme example was his 1997 colt foal out of the Knowle Rock mare Teadske which was awarded the only 1st Premie and made best foal at the UK Inspections.

Black 16.2 h.h. 1981
By: Tsjalling
Ex: Lamkje (By: Wessel)
The Property of
Colonel & Mrs K.G. Turner
Stud Fee: £350