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 Paris looking after all the horses at the stud and doing all the stable duties and handling of horses.

Megan Westwick

Megan has worked at the stud part-time for a few years and currently helps us out at the weekends.  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.

Dorothy Drury

Dorothy was our part-time Stud Supervisor and is a very valued member of the team, having worked for us for three years. She now helps out during Open Days and Breed Shows/Keurings and is fundamental at producing the horses to a high standard and showing them off to perfection.  Dot's expertise in running out horses is second to none!

Lucy and Lottie

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
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.

DEVERON VET SURGEONS
Led by experienced horse vet HAMISH HUNTER, Deveron Vet Surgeons assist the stud in all regular vet work and any emergency call-outs.   They are a vital link to all the horses health and well-being.

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ARDENE HOUSE VET HOSPITAL
Led by experienced horse vet GRAHAM HUNTER, Ardene House assist the stud with all scanning and mare advice during the breeding season.  They are also on-hand with any emergencies during the breeding season and act as a secondary point of contact for the Stud on any other complex veterinary matters.

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

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