Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born in New Zealand, but live in Buccan, Queensland. Have done so for 12 years.
How did you get involved in horses and at what age? I have a very unique story. As a child I had very severe learning disabilities. My parents were advised that riding horses could help with my therapy / treatment, so they bought a pony for me to work with at home with a therapist. I was 5 years old. It became my focus to achieve and it just grew from there.
Was your family involved with horses? Not really. My Dad had a few race horses but that was about as far as it went.
Do you remember the name and breed of your first horse? Yes – The little guys name was Casey’ s Shadow and he was Welsh Mountain pony.
What disciplined were you involved in then? I progressed into Eventing.
How were you introduced into the western industry? One day after a crappy day at the Office I came home. I sat down at the Computer and started looking on You Tube for exercises to help my eventing mare with her lateral movements. I was having trouble getting her to move off my leg and reins so I typed in‘ reining exercises’. There it was, steering me in the face, a video of Shawn Flarida doing a reining patterning on Whimpy’ s Little Chic. At that moment my life changed forever. Something just lit up inside me. My eyes were glued to the Computer. I began watching clip-after-clip of this thing called Reining. It was insane it was so intense. But I couldn’ t stop watching it.
Within six weeks I had sold my warmblood mare and bought an old reining gelding a plastic hat and a pair of line dancing boots and began‘ Reining’.
What attracted you to western? I think it was part of me all along( as above) something inside greater than what I knew when I was young, I just needed to find it within me, plus I have more opportunity to be who I want to be and expressive my creative flair through my show outfits.
Tell us a bit of your early days in the western industry and what horse you had then? Oh gosh there were a lot of tears I can tell you that. More frustration and hopelessness really, than anything. Other than taking lessons I didn’ t have much to go on. Reining is a very hard sport. It looks easy from the outside but it’ s extremely technical. I worked out pretty quick you can’ t wing-it on a horse that is not trained. You will come un-glued every time. That is why I am a big supporter of Beginner Rider and Green Rider classes. I know how hard it is when you are on your own trying to get up-to-speed on an untrained horse.
What breed attracted you then? I love the quarter horse. But I also love paints and appaloosas also. They are super fun. What events do you enjoy competing in? I only do reining. I enjoy all shows I go to. It’ s a chance for me to relax and chill and catch up with friends. Plus I get to spend full days with my horses. It so good. I will say the extreme cowboy classes do look like fun though.
What level do you compete in? I compete as a Non Pro but I also complete in Limited Open and Intermediate Open.
Do you break in horses for others and if so how long have you been doing this? No I don’ t as we are not allowed too due to the conditions of being a Non Pro.
What are your plans for the future? We are moving to the USA at the end of this year. I really want to see where I can take things. We have bought a Gunner show Stud over there. I will complete on him to start with. I will follow the show circuit over there and may step-up and work for a Trainer for a while to gain experience and up-skill. If all goes well we will set up our own Ranch / Training Facility over there. It will also offer boarding facilities for horses.
There are no short-cuts I am fully aware it will take years and years and countless hours to up-skill to get to an international standard which is what I am aspiring to do. I would love to represent my County one day.
Tell us some of the top awards you have achieved over the years and the one that means the most to you?
6th place at the Slide and Spin Show 2017 on a horse I trained myself Top Ten finish at Australia’ s Reining Open – Equitana 2014 Intermediate Open Champion Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2017 Intermediate Non Pro Champion Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2017 Novice Level 1 Non Pro Champion Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2017 Novice Level 2 Non Pro Champion Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2017 Non Pro Champion Australian Reining Breeders Cup 2017 Reserve Intermediate None Pro Champion – Australian Reining Breeders Cup Reserve National Champion – Intermediate Non Pro – Reining Australia National Championships- 2016 3rd Place- Intermediate Open- Reining Australia National Championships 2016 Reserve State Champion – Limited Non Pro – Queensland State Reining Championships 6th Place- Non Pro Classic – Reining Australia National Championships 2016 Limited Non Pro Champion – New South Wales State Championships 2015 Lady Rider Champion – Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2015 National Green Rider Champion – Reining Australia National Championships 2014 Rookie Level 1 & 2 Champion Pacific Coast Reining Spectacular 2014 Freestyle Champion Queensland State Championships 2013
If I had to say which one meant the most to me it would be the first one where I came 6th on a 3 year old I trained myself. It was his first time out. I was super proud.
I used to think I loved this sport because I liked winning. Then I thought it was for the applause, then I thought it was for the speed, then I thought it was for the buckles. But recently I realised what it is. It is the time that I spend with the horses. I can be calm, I can be me, I just feel complete.
What horse stands out in your mind at the best you have owned? It would have to be Whizkey on the Rocks. When I first started out he put up with some crap from me. The over-riding, quick hands, badly fitting tack the list goes on and on. But he always gives a 150 % and I wouldn’ t be where I am today without him. He will always be my King forever in my heart.
Do you have any foals due in 2017 and if so what are their sire and dam’ s breeding? No unfortunately we don’ t have any this year. Lots of 2 and ups!
Page 28 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • September • October • 2017