Hillston Grove is owned and managed by Michael Bowden and Ross Fleming.
Hillston Grove is situated at Alton Downs, about 20 kilometres to the north west of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It was first run as an olive grove with 750 trees being planted in 1998.
Unfortunately, the weather is not cold enough to produce olives commercially.
Our interest in miniatures was sparked when an advertisement appeared in a local magazine, offering a Welsh Mare (Missy) for sale due to lack of fodder in the paddock.
Being the kind souls we are, we decided to help out. Once the transaction had been made, we were informed that she was in foal to a miniature horse!
And so began Hillston Grove as a miniature horse stud.
Once the foal was born we were hooked. We purchased a few more mares from local studs.
Then we were offered our stallion who had been destined to be gelded until a keen eye realised his potential. A trip to Nanango, resulted in three more mares who were all in foal!
A final check of Horse Deals revealed the sale of one of our stallion's previous mares who had already foaled.
Although we are new to the miniature horse world, everyone we have come in contact with has been very helpful. Maybe miniature horse owners are just the human version of their loveable animals.
Special thanks should go to Desley Rumpf and her granddaughter from Kildaire Miniature Horse Stud for her valuable advice and assistance.
We welcome visitors by appointment.
Contact us on:
Phone: (07) 4934 1296 or
Mobiles 0418 880 539 or 0417 766 973
or
Hillston Grove
P O Box 5978
Central Queensland Mail Centre
Queensland
Australia 4702
9 November 2008