In January we had two foals born, the first, AV Krakatoa, a chestnut colt (Padesh x Kalinka by Kubinec) born in the mud at the bottom of the field at midday – Adam had to bring him back across the bumpy field in a wheelbarrow! AV Krakatoa lives up to his name, he is a red-chestnut and very, very showy, full of himself.

The second foal born was a grey filly, AV Sehxee, by Om El Extreem out of our El Shaklan daughter, ZT Shakgeyma. AV Sehxee is a pretty filly, and also very showy, with a huge trot and a squirrel tail over her back all the time.

In May we were presented with another Om El Bahreyn filly, AV Scahrlett, out of DA Sandala. AV Scahrlett thinks she’s a bit precious! Chestnut, very well put together with Om El Bahreyn's trademark high-set neck, super body and top-line and she is getting prettier and prettier by the day.

Mirabella, belonging to Dave and Yvonne Marriot, had a bay filly by Bahreyn and Sue Beedle with Pehreza had a grey filly by him. Bahreyn also sired 2 smart colts, also with fab attitude, one out of Vicki and Brenda Marsh's Hallana and one out of Jane Fraser-Brown's Vetla.
So, Bahreyn did a great job, 5 fillies and 2 colts, all to lovely mares and all quality babies.

At present Bahreyn is 'uncle' to AV Krakatoa, who was weaned a couple of months ago. Krakatoa lives in the stable next to Bahreyn and they are out together in the orchard all day. Bahreyn always looks after him, in fact, one wet day I brought them in early and Krakatoa snuck into Bahreyn's stable, lay down and went to sleep. Bahreyn stood over him eating his hay, much to the astonishment of a visiting vet! I have never known a stallion that is so intelligent and with such a kind temperament, yet will also switch on the pizzazz as soon as asked!

We had a lovely time at the shows this year, we only took only one or two horses to each show, but were very happy to come back with a Champion or Reserve at every show bar one.
Out first show was The Egyptian Event and UK Gold, now at a fantastic new venue, Windsor.
The layout was lovely and the stabling superb. It was the yearling colt AV Amore's (GR Amaretto x AV Chicfantasy)first outing and we were thrilled that he won and was reserve Champion, scoring 20’s for type and head and neck. He followed this up with Junior Male Champion and reserve Supreme at the South of England Show.

Next outing was Bath and West, where we took Lauren Young's Agonia (Gordon x Arina) to become Female Champion and reserve Supreme. Agonia later followed this up by coming 1st and reserve Champion Mare at the North Staffs show.

At Wessex we took Metelica out to party, she loves to go to shows and hates to be left behind! It was a very hot day, but 'Metz' continued to show off throughout and was rewarded with the Supreme! A fantastic day, completed by Lauren showing Agonia to 2nd , the first time Lauren had shown. Shortly after Wessex we were thrilled to hear that Metz's son AV Montoya, by WH Justice, was Supreme at Bicton!
 Surely a unique feat to have mother and son Supreme at 2 C shows?!

We also took Metz to Towerlands, which she loved. She'd been to a couple of indoor shows a few years before and was slightly overawed by them, but now she was that bit older and more confident, she had a ball and was marked 20 for trot. We'll be taking her to Paris, she's not typey enough in the head for many European shows these days, but has type in bundles when it comes to movement, tail carriage and charisma. Plus very good conformation. She'll be sure to strut her stuff for the crowd. A dream to show a horse that enjoys herself so much!

The fabulous gelding MHS Wytuki belonging to Jo Nunn showed his socks off as usual at all the shows he went to this year, but had a bout of 'second-itis', just being pipped to the red each time.

Malvern was fabulous as usual. Lovely weather, apart from the traditional Saturday afternoon downpour, and, of course, the best setting for a show and a mini summer holiday for most of us.

We took DA Sandala (Sanadik El Shaklan x The Grand Passion), with her filly foal AV Scahrlett, by Bahreyn, for her first 'party'.

The stables we were allocated were very close to the main showground and Scahrlett was soon receiving lots of visitors, which she thought was great! With Granie helping to lead up, Sandala came 2nd in her class, and little Scahrlett did us proud by winning! Naturally, we were a tad apprehensive about showing her at her first event, but we needn't have worried, she was a little star, and she gave a very nice trot and posed like a pro! We went back into the main ring for the Foal Championship and judge Nick Arnold awarded Scahrlett with res. British National Champion.

We only breed 2 – 4 foals a year, so 2006 was a great year for us with our homebreds: the yearlings multi-Champion AV Amore (particularly special to us as he is out of a homebred mare), AV Montoya belonging to John and Sue Bundy and the grey filly AV Vodkah. AV Vodkah, another Bahreyn filly, out of Vorojeia, belongs to Denise and Stuart Knights and was also a Champion and C show winner for them in her first season.
And to top it all, we bred two res. British National Champions, AV Scahrlett and AV Montoya.