THE first day of spring marked a very special day in the calendar for sport horse breeder Jess Dorban Stallard and her husband Finn, with the exciting arrival of their first baby. “I was awake anyway checking on mares!” she chirped, recalling the days and weeks leading up to March 1st when little Adeline arrived safely into the world.

“My mother Barbara and I keep a close eye on the broodmares using CCTV cameras and my father, Dan, is always around if we need help foaling,” she added.