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