My name is Helen Cole and this is a brief
insight into my life. My aim was always to
have a Quarter Horse and this is my
introduction to the Western Industry.
The first horse I had was a Welsh mare
named Charm. I was around 10 years old at
the time and I shared her with my sister. She
was the horse that taught us a lot and how to
ride a buck and a spin!
About a year on we joined the local Pony
Club and competed in local gymkhanas
until I finished high school. During this
time we owned some part bred Arab type
horses, through no particular reason other
that they were in our parents price range for
us. I remember they purchased my Anglo
Arab show jumper for $800 and this was a
big debt I would have to pay back. I loved
the show jumping then, but I stuck with the
Pony Club scene.
When I was in grade 10 at Beenleigh High
School, they had a few Quarter Horse mares
that would become part of the school show
team. From then on I knew I wanted a
Quarter Horse and I became interested in
the western industry. I remember having a
couple of Showmanship lessons and from
there I showed at the Gold Coast Show,
where I won the Youth Class, but unfortu-
nately nothing more came of it at this time.
After high school the racing industry
entered my life. I completed two years of
my Jockey Apprenticeship and rode in ap-
proximately 200 races, with 20 winners and
a better than 60% placing rate. The thing I
enjoyed most about this industry was being
able to ride track work in the mornings and
having the opportunity to ride different
horses all the time. My biggest claim to
fame was working for Gai Waterhouse and
Lee Freedman and mixing with top quality
horseflesh. I found myself being able to ride
the great Mahogany track work leading up
to his final few races.
My life progressed and I furthered my edu-
cation by completing a Bachelor of Applied
Science, majoring in Environmental Science
after my daughter was born. My first job out
of Uni was in Port Hedland, WA for BHP
Billiton Iron Ore. It was a big move from SE
Qld with a six year old child, and unfortu-
nately it meant that I could not have horses
in such a harsh environment in the west. It
was at this time that I bought my beloved
Paint Horse, Grand Justification – Sparky.
18 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • July • August • 2018
18 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • July • August • 2018