ALL’s well that ends well and the Callion family from Co Tyrone are thrilled with their new arrivals - the unexpected delivery of twin Irish Draught foals safely delivered by the in-foal Irish Sport Horse mare they bought last year.

Alison Callion of Ash Hollow Equestrian, Dromore, Co Tyrone, bought the family’s first in-foal broodmare from Co Clare last October. Farming pedigree cattle and sheep is the family’s mainstay and it was on their late night rounds that Alison and her vet husband James, got the surprise of their lives last weekend.

“We were checking the livestock all through the night with lambing going on at present. I popped my head in the door at the mare around 1am Sunday morning and could not believe it. One foal was already up suckling and the second had been delivered. The mare, Tawnmore Imp (Master Imp - Laughton’s Flight), has had foals previously. She did it all herself without any assistance. James could not believe it.

“The twin filly foals are by the Irish Draught stallion Rockrimmon Robusticus. They are both strong and healthy, both chesnut but not identical in their markings, the second one is also slightly bigger and leggy than the first one. She is a very attentive mother, all are doing very well, we are delighted,” said Alison.

Farming outside Omagh, this is the Callion’s first broodmare. After being involved in the local pony club as a child, Alison took a break from ponies for a few years but was always interested in having some horses again one day. About 18 months ago, the young family started to look for a horse and bought the broodmare who is rising 14.

There will be plenty more horses on their farm as last September, the couple opened a cross-country training facility which can be rented out for schooling sessions from April onwards. “There is very few cross-country facilities in this area so we thought to diversify a little with our cross-country facility and engage with pony clubs and riding clubs. We are on Facebook if people want to learn more,” said Alison.