Greenfield’s Stud is nestled in the picturesque Orara Valley 15 minutes’ drive west of Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid North Coast. The stud is on 86 acres of lush undulating pasture and protected rain forest. We have invested in the infrastructure on the property with high quality PVC post and rail fencing throughout, and training facilities include a 20m x 60m sand dressage arena, 16m round yard and a 2-kilometre bush track inside the property boundaries. There are a variety of yards and paddocks for the horses, all with automatic water and either natural or man-made shade or shelter. The property has two dams, a creek and a natural spring, and we are in a high rainfall area.
We attempt to let our horses be horses in their down time, and hence strive to ensure no horses must live in solitary, including the resident stallions. Our horses are raised in mobs with strong alpha horses teaching the youngsters herd dynamics. The horses live outside on pasture 24/7 and we use a specially formulated pellet to balance their foraging for deficiencies presented in pasture analysis. As we wish the horses to have as healthy a foundation as possible, we strive to maintain their weights at a healthy range, with weight losses and gains according to seasonality. Furthermore, the horses are on a strict regime with farrier care, equine veterinary dentist, worming and vaccinations, with all other needs as required.
The aim of the stud is to produce a fjord capable of exceling in Equestrian Sport, with a subsidiary aim of producing a horse towards the taller end of the height spectrum (<13hh – >16hh) naturally found in the breed. To achieve both these aims we are primarily selecting stallions of above 14.2hh and who has movement to either currently excel in the dressage or show jumping arenas, or be able to excel as they come of age and are able to commence a competitive life. Our mares are also required to have attributes complementing the aims of the stud, and they are all spending their empty seasons furthering their education in dressage and competing at a local level.
Our aim used to be to have our horses started under saddle before they go on the market, however we are now open to taking expressions of interest for any of our young horses at any point in their development. We may be able to offer contracted payment plans to suitable matches for our horses if so required. Any horses sold on a payment plan will remain at the stud until paid in full, and depending on the terms of the plan, agistment and other fees may apply in addition. All horses are trained utilising horsemanship and classical dressage techniques, and the intensity of the work required is graduated based on the age of the individual. Backing commences no sooner than the winter of the year they turn 4, and riding is limited to short quality sessions to allow their bodies plenty of time to adjust to their new reality.
The stud is owned and managed by Karen Grøneng, who was born and raised in Norway, and has had permanent residency status in Australia since 2005. She has been riding since she was 8 years old, commencing at a local riding school where she stayed until she was 15. Throughout that period she rose through the ranks with increased responsibility for the welfare of horses and for the management of daily chores at the stables (always of course reporting to responsible adults), she was also permitted and encouraged to teach lessons to beginner and intermediate riders towards the end of her stay at the school.
After leaving the riding school she commenced part leasing horses, riding and training both dressage, showjumpers and national level endurance horses. Her main training responsibility with all these horses were their dressage or “flatwork”, and her love for dressage was solidified in this period. As horse ownership in Norway was prohibitively expensive and University loomed on the horizon, horse ownership was postponed until after the purchase of the farm in Australia, but she kept her toes in the water throughout her studies and a few years of career focus, by instructing and riding where the opportunities arose.