About Us

Stud History

Chrialka Stud, and the breeding of Sport Horses, is a long-term dream of mine (and an endurance exercise for Mark). We have been breeding Sport Horses at Whakamarumaru for over 15 years. In that time our horses have become known for their versatility, athleticism, soundness and easy temperament.

We started off the stud with Queen of Diamonds, a lovely Irish Hunter by Kingsway Diamond, purchased at the Waipaoa Station dispersal sale. Queenie was in foal to Telegraph with a colt foal at foot by Telereign. As she was a young mare the intention was to start her under saddle once her expected foal was weaned. The lovely colt foal at foot was to become our foundation sire.

But things didn't go as planned. That's horses! Neither the Telereign or subsequent Telegraph colt made it to the breeding paddock. The small band of carefully accumulated Thoroughbred and Crossbred mares had no mate!

Luckily we were told of a lovely Clydesdale/Thoroughbred colt — and that is where Zibu came in — a classic NZ sport horse, excellent bloodlines, easy temperament and beautifully put together.

Zibu was backed after running with a few mares as a two year old, and eventually started his competitive career, combining it well with stud duties. Starting with dressage, he progressed to jumping and the occasional hunt, trek or stint around the stock.

Foals arrived, showed promise, grew up and moved on. They are now regularly seen out on the hunt field and at competition venues. They are competing successfully in Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Show Hunter and flat classes. They are involved in Adult Riding Club activities or being used as pleasure hacks. And we've had our first exports - to the UK and China.

As time went on...

Other stallions have stood at Chrialka. Overnite Express (XX) went to smaller maiden mares — or large, strong-boned ones, until it was decided that Zibu was suitable for both.

After a short stint of breeding ponies there are a few good ponies out and about by Tonka, an Arab/Stationbred East Coast pony by Little Boy Blue. Two of Tonka's sons, Dymonym and Harry (now known as Nimbus), sired foals before being gelded.

Chrialka Donar was bred by the stud and retained as a back-up for Zibu, he has sired a few foals over the years, with the oldest now under saddle.

More recently Prince Ferdinand (XX) was used to cover Zibu fillies, with Craighaven Lord Astra purchased to continue in that role.

Why Chrialka

My involvement with horses started as a child. Childhood revolved around ponies and horses, Pony Club and competing in various disciplines, exercising Thoroughbreds and polo ponies.
Five horse-free years in the Navy were followed by an ‘OE’ working with a pair of Welsh Cob harness ponies near Swindon, England, then on to Texas, U.S.A. and Quarter Horses (and Santa Gertrudis cattle).
After a 30-plus year break, I've even started in the occasional competition again, taking part in the local Winter Dressage Series and training days, Adult Riding Club activities (including NITE), Show Hunter, and even an ODE. Zibu is proving to be an excellent school master, kindly keeping between me and the ground!

The name CHRIALKA comes from the first two letters of our four children's names — CHristopher, RIchard, ALister and KAtrina.
And the rocking horse logo? Who can't remember riding a rocking horse as a child? Dreaming of winning races, jumping impossible heights, pulling through the tricky spots, coming home with the ribbons — all with your loyal friend and companion, your horse.
We breed ‘rocking horses’.

Chrialka Stud is based on Whakamarumaru Station, a 2500 acre sheep and cattle station on the rolling hills of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The station has been in the Nelson family for 5 generations and is well known for the quality of sheep and cattle produced and grown on. 400 South Devon cows and 4000 Romney ewes make up the breeding herds. Replacement stock is carried through and trading stock, dairy heifers or dairy cows are grazed on if seasonal growth allows.
Pine trees have been plant in gullies and waste areas to provide a carbon sink (for the AGW believers) and as a rotational cash crop.

Liz Nelson