Erewhon Station is situated in the remote headwaters of the Rangitata River in Canterbury New Zealand. The owners Colin and Christine Drummond began breeding half draught horses for their own use thirty years ago and have had their own Clydesdale stud for twenty years. They purchased Erewhon in 1998 and steadily expanded their breeding operation in a bid to supply the station with horses. They bred Registered Clydesdales as well as crossing a light Stallion over registered Clydesdale mares to produced big bodied half draught mares with fine, clean bone and a deep barrel for their broodmare line. (To view see Broodmares )

Erewhon Station now runs a herd of around 20 broodmares as part of its elite station bred breeding programme. Over the years Colin has placed huge emphasis on his mares, building up a strong broodmare band carrying some of the country's top Clydesdale bloodlines. One of the biggest advantages of breeding horses on a working high country station is that every mare they use to breed from has been broken in and ridden, and often used for ploughing and in the wagon team. They know which ones are good and if the progeny's conformation or nature doesn't measure up, they are not persevered with.

In 2000 Tolega Bob was purchased from Huiarua Station near Gisborne as Erewhon's foundation Stallion. He was chosen for his conformation, constitution, spirit and movement as well as his pedigree. Tolega Bob is by Texan, who was bred by David Reeves. (To View see Stallions)

In the first year Colin used Bob over a handful of registered Clydesdale mares, they were an even line of foals that he was pleased with. He continued to use Bob over the majority of his mares each year, while still breeding two or three of his best Clyde mares to the best Clydesdale stallions available.

Tolega Bob was a very successful cross over Erewhon's full, half and quarter Clydesdale mares, many of Bob's progeny have his more delicate head and athleticism as well as having the Clyde markings and sensible nature.

19 of this cross were sold at Erewhons on farm horse sales in 2007 and 2009 and selected mares were kept, broken in and added to the broodmare line. (To view more on Bob's progeny see Testimonials )

Holden Kingston was purchased in 2006 from Bruce Holden's sport horse stud in Gisborne. He is a striking grey stallion who's sire Teleson is by the Sovereign Edition stallion Telereign, some of the country's best sport horse bloodlines. Telereign has proven successful at stud producing numerous top sport horses.

The stallions are put out with their mares in November each year. Some selected serves are done as well. Mares are scanned three weeks after being served.

All the young horses at Erewhon have been well handled by Steve Houston. As yearlings and 2yr olds they are taught to lead and tie up, have their feet handled, trimmed and a drench programme. The young horses are run together over sown hill country blocks for most of the year. They get experience crossing rivers and climbing steep terrain. Having run on the hills the young horses are good on their feet and have strong hindquarters.

The Drummonds have always had a strong focus on breeding good free moving horses with the ability to work. Horses are vital at Erewhon and they take pride that they are used for all aspects of Station work. A six or eight horse team is used in the wagon to transport supplies to the back huts for the musters. This work team is also used to cultivate the paddocks.

The Clydesdale stud is now well established and you can see them competing at the Christchurch Show and at the Horse of the Year.

With their half and quarter draught horses the Drummonds believe in breeding Blood over Bone. (Thoroughbred type Stallions over Clydesdale bloodline Mares) They have proved that this cross consistently produces horses with constitution and athletic ability. They are also kind with willing natures and their markings are often striking blazes and white socks.

Colin believes there will always be a market for great looking athletic horses that you can turn out for weeks or months at a time then bring them back into work with no fuss.

Some excerpts taken from Horse and Pony Magazine October 06 "The Long Road to Erewhon" - Annie Studholme

Erewhon Station produces quality horses to suit a wide range of riders at realistic prices. (See For Sale)