The Overflow Farm: June 2020

The Overflow Farm was 'founded' back in 2003 when my mother, Melissa Johnson, started breeding Sport Horses on our 60 acre farm in Tingledale, Walpole, Western Australia. The 'Overflow' name was inspired by the famous Australian poem 'Clancy of the Overflow' and also our Overflowing dam on our property. Back then finding well bred Warmblood mares in such a remote location was quite difficult, so our first few mares were mainly AWHA assessed Thoroughbreds and Part Bred Cleveland Bays. Our first 4 foals were born in 2004, by Don Cavallo, Sandgate Reznor, Summerhill Sampson and Speed Week xx.

Our farm in Tingledale, Walpole, Western Australia.

Pictured in 2006.

The first horse we ever bred - Overflow Anzac

by Sandgate Reznor (Cleveland Bay x Holsteiner)

In 2007 we upgraded to a larger 125 acre farm in Beechworth, Victoria. In 2007 we also started breeding sport ponies. The following year two German Riding Pony stallions were imported to Australia - Don Philino WE, imported by Kristy Renae Jarvis of Dynamik Stallions and Hilkens Nougat Cream imported by Tina Barker of Roseglen Farm. My mother was a big fan of the ponies and so that summer I (aged 5) travelled with my parents to Europe to visit all the big horse and pony studs. We visited Paul Schokomoehle's Stallion Station, Ferienhof Stuecker, Gestuet Hilkens and Landgestuet Celle among others.

Me on our farm in Beechworth, Victoria. Pictured in 2010.

My dad with FS Don't Worry at Ferienhof Stuecker, 2008.

In 2009 we also founded Overflow Equestrian, our saddlery. From time to time we would have a trade stand at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, Sydney International Equestrian and Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre.

Overflow Equestrian Trade Stand at

Sydney International Equestrian Centre, 2013.

In 2009 we attempted to start breeding German Riding Ponies with FS Don't Worry, Casino Royale K and Charm of Niebelungen frozen semen having had success with warmblood frozen semen, however none worked for us. The following year we had success, and in 2011 our first German Riding Ponies were born - Overflow Dasher's Delight by Hilkens Black Delight and Overflow Die Feine Lady by Der Feine Lord AT.

In 2011 we also opened our Equestrian Shop in the town of Beechworth.

Our last Warmblood foals were born in 2012 and our last sport pony foals were born in Australia in 2013.

Our last foal born in Australia - Overflow Donna Capri

by Gold of Capri (FS Golden Highlight)

In November 2014, Overflow Equestrian had a trade stand at Equitana, only a few weeks before we relocated yet again - this time to a 5 acre stable with 14 stables and an indoor arena in Braunlage, Lower Saxony, Germany. During our 3 years that we lived in Germany we did not breed, but instead ran a livery yard, cafe and continued running Overflow Equestrian from a shop on our own property. From December 2014-August 2016 we only owned one pony, Mio, who was my pony whom I very much enjoyed riding in the forest, jumping and riding bareback.

Our farm in Braunlage, Germany.

In late August 2016, after many months of searching I found my dream horse - Orchid's Dixie. A beautiful Palomino Dutch Riding Pony mare. I knew that one day I wanted to start breeding again, and so for me it was very important that I bought a mare with a good pedigree.

In November 2017 we moved to the UK and continued the saddlery business under the name Johnson Equestrian. We had a trade stand at Your Horse Live, Olympia, Liverpool International Horse Show, Bolesworth, Arena UK, Addington Manor, Aintree and many more.

In December 2017, I also finally got to compete for the first time. In August 2018 at only my second ever BS Junior show I competed at the British Showjumping National Academy Championships at Stoneleigh, going clear in both my rounds and placing third.

Throughout all of 2019 I competed Orchid's Dixie in BS Senior classes as I was too old to continue riding her in pony classes. Despite always being the smallest horse in the class, we were nearly always in the placings.

Me competing with Orchid's Dixie, July 2019.

In April 2019 our property in Germany finally sold, meaning we could buy our own land in the UK. In August 2019 we moved onto our new 17 acre farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales. We now intend on staying here forever!

Now that we have our own farm again, I finally have the chance to follow in my mother's footsteps and continue breeding. In 2021 our first foal was born in the UK - Overflow Fearless, a double dilute colt by connemara stallion Fear an Ti out of Orchid's Dixie. Over time I plan to build more housing facilities on our farm and further expand our herd.