The History of Angrove Stud in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire

Heather Kitching

Heather Kitching pioneered the introduction of coloured horses into the mainstream horse world in the late 80s and early 90s. As the press officer for the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) she was instrumental in gaining vital recognition for coloured horses.

Heather persuaded the Cheshire Agricultural Society to have the first coloured classes at their annual county show. Soon other county shows were clamouring to get coloureds in the ring. From these early beginnings, coloured horses have now become so popular that they command higher prices than non-coloured types. And classes are now held at the Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show.

Along with successfully raising awareness of coloured horses, Heather pursued success during the early 90s with her own coloured horses and The Bassano Stud, winning every major Championship that was open to coloured horses at the time, including Supreme Pony Champion of GB 1993, Overall Reserve Supreme Champion of GB 1998, Royal Lancashire, Reserve Coloured Stallion 1992 and Overall Supreme Champion Performance Awards 1989.

 Bassano Holly winner of the broodmare class Chaps UK 98 In hand Pony Champion 98 Chaps UK In hand Reserve  National Champion 1998. Holly was born on the 21st of Dec 1990 and was by a welsh sec B yearling colt out of a coloured cob x mare holly was one of the studs biggest winners 2nd at Cheshire county and BSPA Pony Champion of the year 1992.(non native) an exceptional pony who has bred some stunning sons winning in the showring today Holly has passed down her movement and winning look at me attitude what a girl!

Holly was sold in 1999 to Zoe Aspinall for her daughter Danielle who has very kindly let me use these photos which are stunning thank you Danielle.

  

Photos courtesy of Danielle Aspinall.

Bassano Eclipse, 1 of only two stallion to beat Lostock Blue in his heyday.

During this time, Heather also founded and managed the Coloured Horse and Pony Agency to help people buy and sell coloured horses, giving her a deep insight into the coloured horse world and running a successful business.

   

Heather's passion for coloured horses led to her becoming one of the first CHAPS panel judges. Many of the judges she helped and trained are still panel judges today. Introducing the current chairwoman of Chaps to the society and advising her on the benefits of showing her stallion.

Bassano Stud - Bassano Altair

An Altair is a first-magnitude star in the constellation Aquila, and true to her name, Bassano Altair was a true shining star, winning the CHAPS Performance Award Scheme in 1988/1989.

Being both part Arab and part cob, she was sturdy, yet feisty; strong but spirited. She went about her work with pride and showmanship and the stud was never wanting for a red ribbon when Altair was in the ring! She was a madam of the highest order; her every whim had to be pandered to - but she was also gentle: as well as showing classes with Heather, she also worked with Heather's daughter, Helen, to achieve CHAPS Young Handler 1st prize in 1992. see below.

 

Helen Claire Davies aged 11 years with bassano Altair creator of this amazing web site and my wonderful talented beautiful daughter and at her graduation at University of the year Teesside Nov 09 . well done Helen from mum and dad.

In 1993 the stud horses were sold and Heather became a single mother and had to raise her two teenage children on her own without maintance from the children father, being a bit of a risk taker Heather became an Inventor and her first Invention was the Warhorse available today in most good equestrian outlets

The Warhorse water carrier won the British Equstrian new product award in 2000

Heather then went on to Invent the world first polythene zip, with conventional teeth like the zip you would see on jacket, next came what to do with it, this is how Heather and Alistair met.

 Heather & Alistair 2001

Heather was the only woman to win Gold medal for her winning Zip and its many applications, and became the winner of best British Invention 2000 at Earls Court.The two of them secured 5 distribution deal's but only 2 of the deals produced any sales. 

 Heather at Earls Court 2000

The two products were Tenzip a zipped plastic bag,that went to Tenza Tech and the ZippyDoor that went out with Stanley Tool

 Tenzips sold 2003/2005, 250,000 ZippyDoor same period 4400.

 Then in 2006  disaster struck!

 Alistair lost his business in 2006 and everyhing was lost apart from Ricco and Angrove Dance Girl who had been purchased with some consultancy revenue that Heather had earned back in 2005.

A Horse! A Horse! No House No Car What Now!

With the income from the first stud season Heather & Alistair bought a second hand classroom and Alistair coverted the classroom into what is now a warm secure home, using the land that the family own they were lucky enough to be able to use.

The start of a wonderful life with no borrowed money and third party hangers on, the duo have turned their life around with the customary team work it takes to run a successful business.

Alistair Kitching

Alistair Kitching's involvement with horses goes back over 30 years; having been heavily involved with training his son, Henry, in three day eventing to an advanced level.

Not only did Alistair back Henry financially, but he also managed the day-to-day running of the yard; organising horses and riders at events to ensure that both remained calm, collected, and in the right place at the right time.

Alistair's course in Farm Management and Organisation at agricultural college has been an invaluable asset in running a stud.

About Angrove Stud

In September 2005 after much research, Heather and Alistair founded Angrove Stud. For more information about Angrove Stud please see About Angrove Stud.