Caroline Ironside

It's a family affair!!

Caroline has been involved with horses since the age of 4.   She enjoys the training of horses and her passion is the breeding of them.  She is a DEFRA Approved Artificial Inseminator, which means she can inseminate all the mares at the stud legally and also for clients.  She is responsible for mare selection, stallion selection, collection of semen for the stallions at the stud and for all the AI work with the mares.  Caroline has the dressage interest in the family and loves selecting the stallions for the dressage mares.   Previously she was also Studbook Manager for the Scottish Sportshorse Studbook.  She is also readily available to clients to give advice on mare, stallion and foal selections.  On top of this she is a successful Practice Manager at a Medical Centre and full-time mother to daughter, Abbie Jane.

Gordon Ironside

Success is Teamwork!

Gordon grew up in farming and has always had a very strong interest in breeding.    Over the years he has bred sheep and cattle, eventually moving over to horses when he met Caroline.  His passion is selecting stallions for the mares.  His key interest is the breeding of showjumpers, and he has a great eye for young stallions that go on to become future superstars.  On top of this Gordon is responsible for the running of the family farm and for all the land management, including the growing and production of the natural forage for the horses.    Besides all this Gordon also works for  local arable companies.

Abbie J Ironside

Abbie is the only daughter of Caroline and Gordon, born on the 16th January 2011.  She has a keen interest in the horses and got her first pony from Santa on the 25th December 2015 and is already showing a natural ability for horse riding having won several Shows and placed in dressage and showjumping competitions.

Sam Hardie

Sam is our part-time Studfarm Supervisor and started working for us at the beginning of 2018 and is a valuable addition to our small family.  She works alongside Megan and Kaitlyn looking after all the horses at the stud and doing all the stable duties and handling of horses and youngstock.  She is a valuable member of our team here at the Stud.

Megan Westwick

Megan has worked at the stud part-time for a few years and currently helps us out at the weekends and some days during the week.  She is god-daughter to Gordon and Caroline and is an excellent worker.  She also helps keep the ponies fit with Abbie.  Megan is also excellent when it comes to running out the mares and foals.

Kaitlyn Oliver

Kaitlyn joined us in the summer of 2023 and works for us part-time.  She is a keen horse lover and is enjoying the varied work we have going on at the stud.  We are very much looking forward to seeing how she progresses.  Besides working at the stud she is also at College training to be a hairdresser.

Lola

Lola joined us in March 2024 as we were missing having a dog about the place after losing Lottie in May 2023.  So this small bundle of fun arrived and her energy and enthusiasm for life keeps us on our toes!

Lucy and Lottie (RIP)

Life would not be complete without the two stud dogs, Lucy and her daughter Lottie.  Lucy is Caroline's dog and came to enjoy her new life when she was a pup.  She had a litter of pups, one of which was kept and named "Lottie".  Lottie is Abbie's dog.  Both dogs are extremely loving and like to keep the horses and youngsters on their toes.  One thing is for sure, all young horses leave the stud "dog proof".

Extended Team Members

RON AITKEN, FARRIER
RON has been the farrier at MFS STUDFARM for a lot of years.  He has expert knowledge of remedial farriery and any growth issues in young horses.  He is extremely important in ensuring the foals and young horses receive the appropriate work when at a young age.

BUCHAN VETERINARY CLINICS
Led by experienced horse vets Alistair Moir and Mauro Larghi.  They are our local vets that support us through all our equine needs including all the AI work for our breeding.  The team at Buchan Vets have extensive experience on all equine matters.

ALICE HUGHES VETERINARY EQUINE DENTAL CARE 
Alice Hughes BVMS CertAVP(ED) PgCert BAEDT MRCVS is a fully qualified equine vet and dental technician with over 15 years experience providing dental care for horses.  She is a full member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) and is an RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) recognised Advanced Practitioner in Equine Dentistry.  She is an integral part of the team here at MFS STUDFARM making sure that all our horses teeth are in the best of shape.

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SEASONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Our Team would not be complete without the help of our "unofficial" workers, those friends of the Stud who help out during busy times for Open Days or Shows/Keurings.  Without their help these days would not function at all.  

They include - DOROTHY DRURY, TERESA CUTHILL and SARAH COOPER