IN AN Australian first, Carinya Clydesdale Stud has welcomed a new addition to their stables, with the birth of Carinya Empress, the first Clydesdale foal born in Australia from imported frozen semen.
Using semen from Irish-born sire Carnaff Ambassador (a recognised Premium Stallion) Tony and Donna Ronzio have had an anxious 11 months finally being rewarded mid-October with the healthy birth of this record-making filly.
With Taloumbi Lodge Flash Grace (a Champion Clydesdale mare) as mother, the Ronzio’s are expecting great things from this special little foal, the first artificially inseminated Clydesdale in Australia using overseas semen.
“She’s a beautiful little filly, on par with the Scottish-bred horses, in both size and conformation.
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” said Donna of the recent arrival, describing how Tony had to assist slightly with the birth, with the newly born getting quickly to her feet and finding the teat straightaway.
Tony and Donna are second generation Clydesdale breeders, with Tony’s parents Rob and Thelma Ronzio industry experts, breeding and showing Clydesdales for over 40 years.
Based in Darraweit Guim, on the edge of the Macedon Ranges Shire, the Carinya Clydesdale Stud is a small farm, with big aspirations.
Like the statuesque horses that they breed, the Ronzio's set about achieving great things.
“We wanted to introduce a different bloodline into Australia and we knew that Carnaff Ambassador was a terrific horse,” said Donna.
“We’ve been watching his offspring and we knew that this was the route we wanted to take.
“And we’re incredibly excited to be the first in Australia to achieve this.”
The Ronzio’s attribute their recent success to Dr Ed Annand of Equi Epi Vets who put his experience with heavy horses to succeed.
“He did such a fantastic job,” said Donna of the artificial insemination process.
“We’ll definitely do it again, and we will be offering a limited number of semen straws for sale.
“Our little Carinya Empress is such a beauty.
“We hope she’s just the very first of many.”