The Lost Herd of Challa
The Lost Herd is the tongue in cheek name we give to the horses running out in Jinner paddock, a vast 10 x 8 km paddock just east of the homestead. Whilst they are not, in fact lost - they know exactly where they are - they can sometimes be difficult to locate. On occasions we have driven out daily looking for them without success and only find them with the help of the expert aerial mustering pilot, Ashley, and his Cessna 172.
The Lost Herd of Challa are arguably the most peaceful and contented mob of horses in the country.
Mt Tawonga Belinda
Mt Tawonga Belinda (Holly) 15h brown pure Morgan mare
Mt Tawonga Tarraji x Mt Tawonga Linda (2002)
Our beautiful mare, Holly chose us when we visited the Mt Tawonga Morgan Stud in Victoria. Of all the horses there, she was the one who came to us and stood with us. A few months later we had the opportunity to purchase her in foal to Mt Tawonga Tobey.
Holly has a damaged right eye. She hurt the eye as a young horse and is blind in it but she continues to astound us with her sixth sense.
When Holly arrived at Challa she had never seen a human ride a horse and after her initial amazement subsided she began to follow me around when I rode the other horses. She soon had a filly foal at foot (Challa Station Willow) but continued to show a great interest in being ridden.
After the foal was weaned I decided to start her under saddle. She was 9 years old. We took things very slowly and I really enjoyed the challenge of starting a one eyed horse. As long as I positioned myself exactly right on her blind side she would respond just as she did on her good side. She learned to lunge, long rein, and work under saddle. She hasn’t had a great deal of work under saddle, but at least she now understands what is happening when she sees me ride away on another horse.
Holly’s is a really friendly mare and we share an unspoken bond. She is the lead mare of the herd and keeps the youngsters in line. She has the kindest nature we could hope for and passes this on to her very beautiful foals.
Holly's had one foal before we bought her however it sadly died. Since then she has produced some lovely foals for us, Challa Station Willow (by Mt Tawonga Tobey, 2010) Challa Station Forever (by Eiben's Sterling, 2012), Challa Station Captivate (by Koolaroo Klasique Ebony, 2013) a colt, Challa Station Justified in 2017 (by Koolaroo Klasique Ebony) and Challa Station Tarantella, (by Mountain Crk Cartier 2019).
Mt Tawonga Belinda
2002/12/27Marvelous Encore | Ryegate Major | Stillwater Indigo | |
Major's Nubbin | |||
Moro Hills Royrita | Dyberry Ethan | ||
Lippitt Rita Roy | |||
Mt Tawonga Miss Mary | Aura Dell Charlie Brown | Saddleback Sultan | |
Saddleback Sundance | |||
Lizotte Lil Bridget | |||
Ortawn's Premiere | |||
Wawayanda Wallington | Kingston | ||
Applevale Lyric | |||
Wawayanda Maequin | Brorock Markquinn | ||
Brown Mae | |||
Aura Dell Misty | Saddleback Sultan | Orcland Dondarling | |
Donene Pepper | |||
Saddleback Sundance | Applevale Donalect | ||
Waltz Time |
Mt Tawonga Belinda (Holly)
Challa Station Willow

Challa Station Willow (born Sep 11th 2010) was the first Morgan born at Challa Station. She is by Mt Tawonga Tobey from Mt Tawonga Belinda. She competed in the 2015 Australian National Morgan Show at Brookleigh Equestrian Centre in Perth, winning first place in the In Hand Trail class, placing second in the Liberty Class and third in the purebred mare 4-5 years class. Since then she has been started under saddle and in harness. She has a remarkable nature and I have not known a sweeter, gentler mare than Willow.
Willow has had one foal, Challa Station Walkabout (2018 by Watching Royalty).
Challa Station Willow
2010/9/11Equinox Royalty | Dyberry Bob | Lippitt Billy Ash | |
Lippitt Miss Nemoka | |||
Royalton Debbie Darling | Ethan Eldon | ||
Lippitt Darling | |||
Mt Tawonga Miss Mary | Aura Dell Charlie Brown | Saddleback Sultan | |
Saddleback Sundance | |||
Lizotte Lil Bridget | |||
Ortawn's Premiere | |||
Mt Tawonga Belinda2002/12/27 | Marvelous Encore | Ryegate Major | |
Moro Hills Royrita | |||
Mt Tawonga Miss Mary | Aura Dell Charlie Brown | ||
Lizotte Lil Bridget | |||
Wawayanda Wallington | |||
Wawayanda Maequin | |||
Aura Dell Misty | Saddleback Sultan | ||
Saddleback Sundance |