Shafton Grange and its Horses.

When Parkinson built Shafton Grange in 1852 his aim was to turn it into a horse stud. With this in mind he had brought with him, at great expense, a well bred mare. Unfortunately a year after they had arrived, the Mare was killed when her stable was struck by lightening and burnt down. Parkinson later acquired a stallion, which became famous throughout the district for his ability of taking  travellers over swollen rivers and then returning home on his own.

Shafton Grange was not known for its horses until 2002, when the South African Lipizzaners relocated their stud from Balgowan to Shafton Grange. The Stud remained on the farm for three years before being moved to Gauteng. It was at this time that the decision was taken to start breeding Lipizzaners privately on Shafton Grange. We have been doing this for the last 4 years.

Our Horses:

At present we have fourteen horses on the property. Six of which are Lipizzaners. Our Lipizzaner Brood mares are -  Eldora (Nanzi), Ava and Ella (Odaliska). We also have two English Thoroughbred Brood Mares -  Pax a Million and Out of the Blue.

We have four two year olds. Two of which are Lipizzaner Colts - Neapolitano Nanzi 1 (Jack) and Neapolitano Odaliska (Moia) and the other two are Lipizzaner Thoroughbred Crossed Fillies -  Gita and Sky.

All four of our two year olds are out of our breeding Stallion Neapolitano Romeda. At present he is based at the South African Lipizzaner centre in Kyalami. He is from The Spanish riding School and was brought over to South Africa in 2000. He is now one of two solo horses who perform with the South African Lipizzaners.

We also have a couple of riding horses although some of the brood mares are used for riding as well as breeding. They are Chocolate Ice (Although we suspect Basotho Pony) Siglavy Ava (Lipizzaner) and Ella (Lipizzaner Breeding Mare). Siglavy Ava is a retired performing Lipizzaner from the South African Lipizzaner centre in Johannesburg and is a fantastic ride.

We also have a highly bred South African Boerperd at Shafton, he is an exceptional ride and is a first class illustration of a South African breed that is starting to take the competition arenas by storm.

The South African Lipizzaners:

It is a little known fact within the international equestrian community that the only school of performing Lipizzaners recognised by the World Famous Spanish Riding School is the South African Lipizzaner centre. Although their shows my not be held in the beautiful Spanish riding school their performances are world class and should be seen at least once in a life time, by those who have a passion for horses.