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Five Minutes With... ASH Breeder - Melise Tuma-Webb

Published on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 in Five Minutes With Horsezone
M-Jay Australian Stock Horse Stud runs along the Currency Creek at Wilberforce, NSW and has been home base for ASH breeders and competitors Martin Webb and Melise Tuma-Webb, for the past 13 years.
 
Prior to moving to Wilberforce, Martin and Melise were based at Box Hill NSW, where they bred their first foundation mare 'Annuka Bay'.
 
Currently standing at stud is the stunning black Australian Stock Horse stallion, Win D Fortitude who Martin and Melise purchased as a yearling in 2000.  The aim of M-Jay Stud is to breed great looking horses with great temperaments, a horse that every family member could enjoy. 
 
Melise and Martin have been very successful in the show ring for over 35 years with many different breeds in many different fields and feel it's important for the mares they breed with to have a proven show record before going in foal.
 
Jo Johnson caught up with Melise to find out more about her beautiful horses and M-Jay stud...
 

How did you first become involved with horses?

I was bred into a family of horsewomen on my mothers side, with my grandmother and mother competing regularly at Sydney Royal Show. Then my sister was offered a stereo or a horse for her seventh birthday (I was 2 years old at that time) and it all started from there!

You've worked with different breeds and competed in varied disciplines, prior to breeding and showing Australian Stock Horses, tell us a little about these?
As a member of a family with four kids I rode what ever I got! I started through the Pony Club ranks and was lucky enough my older brother and sister were successful in the hacking ring so I got to ride their horses. I got the taste of jumping - I jumped everything that stood still long enough. I wanted to get a good jumping horse on my 13th Birthday, but my very fearful mother bought me my first Quarter Horse, Vodero Top Hand who was also registered Australian Stock Horse. For the next seven years I competed in Western, Stock Horses and Hacking. I have owned Arabians, Welsh ponies and many beautiful Thoroughbreds and have competed in all their disciplines.
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What do you like most about the Australian Stock Horse breed?
Having owned my ASH Stallion for 10 years now I have to say their temperament. Even over some of my hot beautiful Thoroughbred mares these beautiful soft kind foals emerge.

What's the best thing about showing in Australian Stock Horses and ANSA classes?
I love the ASH Classes as there is many areas you can compete in. If you're not too good in the Hack section then you can do working classes, Station Horse, Campdrafting the list goes on. I do find that there are many people in the ASH area that are not just in it for themselves - they give the kids a special go.
I love the ANSA ring as it is designed for a horse that is enjoyable, soft and kind to ride - it does not have to be the best Champion Hack on the showground, but any breed that you would like to get on - this gives everyone the opportunity to compete in ANSA.

You've had a many successes in the show ring - what are your proudest achievements?
Apart from success in the ring - including High Point Annual Awards, Supreme Leds at Royal Shows, NSW Horse of the Years, Champion Leds and Riddens at Nationals, there are two proudest moments - firstly breeding my own stock, then training and showing them myself. The second proudest moment is when people notice that I do it myself and congratulate me on my success!
   
Who are your favourite horses?
I would have to say my Black ASH /ANSA stallion Win D Fortitude.  In the past I had a wonderful hack with my sister named Star Dancer and that old Chestnut Quarter Horse, Vodero Top Hand, who taught me how to ride hard, are also favourites.

Did you attend the recent Australian Stock Horse 40th Anniversary World Show?
Yes we went to this show. Unfortunately I my young filly who was entered hurt herself 10 days before the show, so I only took Win D Fortitude who placed 2nd in both ridden classes and 3rd in the led. M-Jay Forte, a two year old colt by Win D Fortitude, won Champion Led Colt under 4 years, which was great. Overall the show was a success, though a little cold most of the time.

Tell us a more about Win D Fortitude?
We call him Ricky - he is an expectional stallion, he is kind and gentle in everyway. He has a little fan club at the shows, when they watch him racing from ring to ring changing bridles and saddles. He has 45 foals on the ground and 15 more coming this year. He continually puts a smile on my face. CLICK HERE to view Win D Fortitude's stallion service listing on Horsezone.

The beautiful M-Jay Fortune is currently for sale on Horsezone is there anything more you'd like to say about him?
Fortune is Win D Fortitude's first foal and has all his favourable attributes. Fortune is a very special horse and needs a very special family, as he is part of our family. CLICK HERE to find out more about M-Jay Fortune.

What are your goals for the future?
I would love to have my stud established so that people can order foals - black filly etc etc that would be nice! I would have to say, I feel like I'm on my way!
 
Thank you for your time Melise and we look forward to seeing you and your horses around the shows!
 
Visit the M-Jay website at www.m-jayashstud.com

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