Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 81

EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack

life

by accident, along with her two-year old

Elektra had been given the stable name

first time in Luminka’s life, scoring an

filly foal, Elektra, in May last year.

of ‘Ella’ and was fast making friends with

unexpected 73 per cent. “She looked

Tanya’s ex-point-to-pointer, who was

and went like a million dollars,” said a

delighted to have a friend of his own.

delighted Katy at the time. “We thought

According to Lizzie Ward, whose
husband Nick is amateur whip for the
Isle of Wight Hunt, Anna all but ‘gave’

Now, a year on, the transformation is

we would try a bit of everything, to see

the Ward family Luminka. “Anna and I

complete. From a rangy, but not-so-ugly

what she likes doing,” says Lizzie, so, in

are old friends and Anna was keen that

duckling, Ella has grown into the sort of

June, an old double bridle was dug out

Luminka should have a good home. She

horse that everyone would like to own.

and Luminka, now aged 16, became

and my husband Nick talked endlessly

Standing 16.3 with thrilling confirmation

a show horse, winning her class and a

about breeding at a party years ago, and

and a temperament to match, she will

championship too.

Anna was very keen that we should have

be backed professionally next year and

“We were all so pleased with her. It

the horse, once she decided to move

her career will begin. Tanya hopes that

was as if she had been showing all her

back to Sweden,” explains Lizzie, who,

she will have the jumping ability of her

life. Nothing fazes her, she has the nicest

by self-admission knows nothing about

talented parents, but her looks and

temperament,” said Lizzie who was in

breeding.

extravagant movement will confirm her

Russia on business at the time and not

place in the show ring.

able to watch the pair collect their trophy

In the early spring of 2008 Tanya Potter
joined the Ward family on a visit to Exton

Once her fitness programme was

and sash.

Stud to look at the young stock for sale.

complete, Luminka was a regular member

It was only when Tanya saw the young

of the hunting field with both Lizzie &

Luminka in the same class,” says Lizzie.

Elektra and asked to see her mother, that

Nick, who whipped in off her from time

“We never expected her to do anything

the Wards saw Luminka for the first time.

to time, and close friend Katy Butler, who

except have babies, but now I am sure it

“I looked away and groaned,” says Lizzie.

had time on her hands during her gap

will be some years before she has another

“She was clearly a class horse, though

year from the Royal Veterinary College.

foal, although Nick is looking enviously

fat and unkempt and we really didn’t

“Minka is an absolute star,” says Katy

at Elektra now and thinking he’d like

need a brood mare, but Nick was terribly

who clearly adores her. “I think she

one just like her. Perhaps we should just

enthusiastic,” she recalls.

could do anything if she had a week to

make Tanya an offer - it would be a lot

practise,” she laughs.

simpler!”

“We discussed the possibility