HYSKEER PRP430 (IMP) 1913

Hyskeer was imported into Australia by David E. Grant of Moonyoonooka,

Western Australia, as a 7-year-old dapple grey stallion standing at 14.2 hands.

Hyskeer was bred by J.H.M. Mackenzie of Calgary in 1906 by Isleman, out of White Polly. Hyskeer placed 1st in the Highland Pony Entire at the Highland and Agricultural Society’s show at Aberdeen in 1908. He also place 4th the following year at Sterling, 5th the following year at Dumfries and 1st  Highland Pony of Light Type at Inverness in 1911. Hyskeer sired 8 offspring between 1910 and 1913 consisting of 6 mares and 2 stallion, in his home land prior to being imported to Australia. One of Hyskeer’s colts was exported from Scotland to America also in 1913 to be used in the production of the American war horses.

Hyskeer was purchased by D.E. Grant in December 1912 and left Scotland, for Australia, in January 1913. He was to arrive at Geraldton WA but instead was carried on to Sydney, arriving early February 1913 and under the watchful eye of the Balmont trainer A.F. Lee, Hyskeer was then loaded on to the steamship Indarra and arrived at Freemantle WA on the 13th of March 1913, where he then travelled onto the Moonyoonooka Estate of D.E. Grant.

Hyskeer stood at public stud from 1913 – 1919 at first for 5 Guineas a mare then from 1916 for 3 Guineas a mare.

I have not been able to find any recorded progeny of Hyskeer once he arrived in Australia, though in 1915 Australia was being advised, by the seat of war state, that there was a good opportunity in Australia for the Highland Pony. That horses showing highland pony blood were outlasting the other varieties, just as they did in the Boer War, and that America was already take up the cue and importing Highland Pony Stallions to cross with their thoroughbred mares (one of those being the earlier imported colt by Hyskeer himself).

In Australia Hyskeer won Pony Stallion not exceeding 14.2 at the Royal Agricultural Societies Fifth Annual Horse Show and Parade in 1913 and Pony Stallion 14.2 and under at the Victorian District Agricultural Show on September the 25th-26th 1919.

So far this is all I have been able to uncover regarding Hyskeer and I will continue my research, as I hope to be able to find out more information in the future to add to the above. Unfortunately the only photo I have been able to find is very poor and one can not even see Hyskeer in it, I am still chasing a few leads here also in the hopes of finding the original.

Edited to add: After putting together a Hyskeer article for the APSB federal journal the other day, it made me curious as to who the living descendants of Hyskeer are, or if there were any, from his Scottish born offspring.

I made the very cool find that the newly imported stallion Gillean of Liosmor is a 9th generation descendant of Hyskeer.

The tie is through is dam’s side.

Sue Jarman’s newly imported stallion Gillean of Liosmor