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The Suffolk Punch Trust was set up to purchase the stud of Suffolk horses from the Prison Service when the latter decided it was no longer able to maintain it. While the stimulus to found the Trust was the fate of the horses, the charity has been set up as an educational one whose aims are to educate children and adults about rural and agricultural matters and the natural environment. It will continue employ prisoners as part of their rehabilitation. The Trust raised enough money to buy the horses and the farm on which the stud is situated and became the owner of these on March 31st 2006.

The farm was formerly known as Sink Farm, Hollesley and Suffolk horses have been bred there since 1769 when it belonged to the Barthorp family. The Trust has found the 1890 field plan and what is now an expanse of arable land will be converted into permanent grass with hedges and we also have the original field names. This is a type of habitat which is rare in Suffolk and will encourage the conservation of wild life partial to this type of environment.

The stud has three stallions and a professional stud groom, Bruce Smith, and its importance for the survival of the Suffolk breed is of considerable significance. There are, of course, facilities for taking in breeders' mares and we hope to increase the size of the stud. The Trustees believe they are creating a project which, besides maintaining the stud, has so much to offer a very wide variety of people.

If you wish to attend the Blackwater Country Show as an exhibitor please contact the relevant person or the show office for an application pack or click here to apply online.