PG . 28
AQHA FEATURE
Ryan and his family on the beach with the horses and dog , Lucky
Jacinta has a Quarter horse , and loves their kind temperament . Five years ago , she drove with the boys up to Northern Tasmania to look at Dakota , a palomino Quarter Horse gelding , for Sebastian , who ’ d grown out of his pony . YLS Ima Rhythm Seeker Q-50631 , an old school-master , was perfect for him . Dakota ’ s paddock mate , a beautiful , friendly buckskin mare , called Woodsden Sunny Days Q-60984 , aka Diva , caught Ryan ’ s eye .
‘ I begged Mum and the owner for her , resulting in us going home with two horses ,’ Ryan says . ‘ Dad was not impressed . Diva was a whole lot of horse for a 9yo who ’ d only ridden a pony . She did everything to scare me — rear , buck , run sideways and backwards , causing me to go off petrified and crying . Mum wanted to sell her and find a quieter horse , but I wouldn ’ t hear of it .’
TIME TO STEP UP
So Jacinta called horse-coach , Bronwyn Margetts , who gave Ryan the tough love he needed . He basically had to learn to ride and train Diva , or he ’ d have to go back to his pony . Bronwyn taught Ryan how to really ride , introducing the boys to Western riding . They set up Trail courses , and different sized bridges and a seesaw , did spins , rollbacks and side-passes , and loved it ! In 2020 , Bronwyn convinced Jacinta to take the boys to their first AQHA show . They enjoyed it immensely and have tried to attend every show since . Ryan and Sebastian belong to three clubs where they show their Quarter horses - Southern Tasmanian Quarter Horse Association , Tasmanian Reining Horse Association and Monmouth Pony Club .
‘ We ’ ve met so many lovely people !’ Ryan says . ‘ I ’ ve been lucky to have been influenced and supported by people in the industry , so my confidence to show has grown ! When Bronwyn moved to Victoria last year , I bought her beautiful grey horse , Summer , aka Deep Blue Cee Q-72821 , and I ’ ve shown her successfully ever since . She ’ s a great all-rounder , excelling in Trail and Ranch . Then , last year my brother and I attended a clinic with Lorelei Payne . She urged us to attend more shows , helped build our confidence and encouraged us to show on the mainland , in Victoria . She ’ s helped coach us and attend the Nationals this year at Tamworth . We ’ re grateful for all the supportive people we ’ ve met along the way .’
Ryan has also adopted two show-mums , Katrina Wallace and Ali Oldfield . He says he ’ ll be forever in their debt , as they loaned him their magnificent horses , Snoopy , aka HPS Dark Vader Q-91392 , and Ollie , aka Triandibo Intoplay Q-91675 . Ryan loves the two horses , showing them at both , the Benalla Show , and the Nationals . Katrina and Ali taught the boys how to prepare the horses properly , and provided great support .
‘ They ’ ve been so generous to perfect strangers , and kids ,’ Ryan explains . ‘ I feel privileged to have their support and encouragement and am deeply grateful . I love living in Tasmania , but there are massive geographic disadvantages , if you want to show . Katrina and Ali made it possible for me to take my show experience to the next level and confidently compete on the mainland . The Q22 trip to Tamworth was an incredible experience for us . I won numerous ribbons ,
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU