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Mitch and
Gerard Bradley 1/2/07
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you, with out your knowledge of horses I would never had the opportunity to have the confidence to ride, you have bred and are still breeding some of the nicest horses I have ever seen, they are quiet, safe, beautiful and very talented. They say that you only get one oppotunity to own a really special horse in your life time, well we have 3 Craighaven horses in our paddock and they are all that type of horse, we hunt, trek, jump - they do it all. Yesterday I was at the Craighaven stud, the place is full of beautiful young, up and coming horses, Martin tells me they are all up for sale in the next auction, I will be there for sure. If you take the time to go and have a look, you will say the same thing as we all do, that they are so quiet, they are well bred, handled and ridden nicely. Our local hunt is full of these horses and also so is our pony club, these are bred to be enjoyed and we all do. The last thing that I must say is that there aren’t too many people that only have owned one Craighaven horse, they love them and keep going back, like me they're hooked. Keep up the great work guys, we are very proud having that Craighaven name on our horse. Yours sincerely Mitch & Gerard Bradley
In July last
year, I found myself searching for a replacement horse, after
having my old friend of nine years, destroyed due to illness.
I really felt that I wouldn't be able to replace him … 
A successful
trip, with a month’s trial, I couldn't believe that these
people who didn't know me from a bar of soap, were prepared to let
me take this exceptional horse away from their property for a month.
On getting Mondo home, I had a few minor problems, and when I wasn't
100 % sure that he would suit, because of my experience as a rider,
I rung Craighaven and discussed it with them.Martin's words were, "good horses sell themselves, take as long as you need, we will hold your cheque. Keep him down there and let us know how he's going". I cannot thank Craighhaven enough. They were up front, honest, reputable, patient and very reasonable in all dealings I had with them, and I am absolutely stoked with Mondo. I would suggest that if you were to go to them with a description of what you wanted, as I did, they would try and find a horse to suit. But I am equally as sure, if they had something that you liked that didn't suit, they would say. Thank you Karen and Martin and the rest of the gang. Good luck, keep up the fantastic work. Kate Argyle ( Manawatu) I have known
Martin and Karen since 1997 when I bought my first Craighaven horse
(CH Tom Dooley), a six year old hunter by Waingata. I went from
never having hunted before, to hunting full wire up front at my
first hunt. That same hunter also took me showjumping and one day
eventing up to novice level. He is still sound and going strong
at 14 years old.
He
loves the cross country and Denise reckons he is one of the nicest
horses she has ridden, so safe and straight with a good brain so
she doesn't even have to think about the options, just goes straight
through... Lutha
is being well looked after and cared for and I will never sell him.
(I have already had offers for him but I have said he is not for
sale at any price). … once again I thank you for the way our
dealings were. "Sadly, Lutha was lost after a tragic accident in May2004. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to Denise and the Hill family for giving the horse I was "never going to sell" such a wonderful home and the opportunity to show us all what he could do." Karen
Gow
I have known the Gows for ten years, and enjoyed being associated with them in our chosen sport, Hunting to Hounds. Martin and Karen have, over the years, built up a breeding line that provides the basis for high performance horses that anyone would be proud to have in their stable. Their nature is known to be quiet, and their handling from a young age makes them people friendly, and well mannered. It was not until I rode their horses that I fully appreciated the work that had been done. I hunted Craighaven The Full Monty for the last season (2004) as a seven year old, in his first full season. At 17.2 hands he is a gentle giant, taking everything in his stride, literally. I count myself very fortunate to be the owner of a Craighaven Hunter, and I would not hesitate to recommend the Craighaven Stud for purpose bred hunters and jumpers, and the Gows for honesty and integrity in their dealings with buyers and horse lovers. We have seen other new owners of Craighaven horses just as pleased as we are, and indeed, some eagerly await another.
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I
am totally stoked to be able to share my love of Craighaven horses
with others. Like all good things, a Craighaven Sport horse landed
in my paddock with very little exertion from me at all. I had
vaguely heard of the Stud and seen a really nice horse for sale
in the H & P magazine… but I was not prepared for what I saw.
I was amazed at how they all seemed to get along with each other
… We went happily from paddock to paddock and each new group was
the same. They all came straight up to us and inquisitively wanted
to know us and they felt solid and safe yet they were only yearlings
and unbroken 2 year olds or newly broken in 3 year olds. I was
most impressed. It was difficult to pick one out. …I took home
a 1/4 Clydie, 3 yr old gelding by a son of Waingata, Guilty Cat.
A lovely gentle hack who waits for me to get on and adjust myself,
who has three good paces in dressage and has started his Saddle
Hunter show career this year with a neck full of ribbons at two
events. While he is quiet and accepting of anything, he is also
a show jumping machine. He loves to jump and has tremendous power
and a lovely style. 
If you tell Martin what sort of a horse you are looking for, he
knows all his horses so well he will honestly direct you towards
the ones that would suit you. He wants his horses to go to appropriate
homes where they will be just what the owner wants. 
