The Value Of A Thoroughbred Gelding at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show 2012

Hey Everyone and Welcome.  At the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show in 2012 we have had the pleasure of talking to a young equestrian competitor Abbey Lovell.  Abbey is a delightful young woman and the story of her thoroughbred gelding Affliction is certainly an engaging one.  So please pull up a cuppa for a few minutes and enjoy…

The Value Of A Thoroughbred Gelding at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show 2012

Introducing 8 year old thoroughbred gelding Affliction with owner Abbey Lovell, Abbey is a young equestrian competitor whom is certainly going places.  Her kind thoroughbred gelding hasn’t been off the race track very long so team Abbey is certainly in line for more good things to come.

Why Is It A Thoroughbred Gelding Can Be A Useful Show Horse?

Many thoroughbred horses are extremely kind creatures and Affliction is a testament to this belief. He has been off the race track only since last year.  And with Abbey’s calm and steady training he has been a willing student in his preparation for his new career.

Successful thinkers say it takes just as much effort to bring a small project to fruition as it does a large one. And whilst winning at a Royal Show is certainly an achievement there is certainly no harm in taking a learning horse to a big a Royal Horse Show.

During our interview with Abbey she acknowledges other competitors as they congratulate her on her efforts.  And all the while she is attending to Affliction, so how easy and relaxing is that?

So What is So Special About a Thoroughbred Gelding?

A gelding has less distractions as he is no longer a stallion.  So a thorougbred gelding is more easily trained to whatever discipline you chose.  But please be very aware that if you chose to buy such an animal they could very well be a handful to begin with and certainly not suitable for a beginner rider.

The value therefore of a thoroughbred gelding at a horse show like the Toowoomba Royal Horse is the results.  As Abbey has said so herself she won, ‘lots of blue ribbons.’  Without a doubt Abbey has skilfully trained the animal, however if Affliction didn’t have such a kind disposition this particular thoroughbred gelding would not be so easily trained and Abbey would not be walking away with all of those blue ribbons.

Well that’s a wrap for today, thank you so much for joining us and we look forward to seeing you all again next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Well hello everyone and haven’t we been up to some stuff.  We have talked to some awesome people and are bringing you the very best of what equestrian competitors are up to at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show.  So please put your feet up and enjoy…

Equestrian Competitors at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show 2012

Equestrian competitors are usually frantic at the beginning of their day, applying make up to their horses as well as applying make up to themselves.   Equestrian competitors ensure all of their tack is pristine for their presentation to the horse judge in their chosen equestrian event.

Why Do Equestrian Competitors Go To Such Lengths?

These horse people go to such lengths because it is their passion.  People love these animals and the horses they are working with respond in kind by mostly doing what the rider or handler asks of them. These show horses perform for their owners who are all after a coveted prize in their chosen class or classes.

Such equestrian competitors are people like Kylie Raymont who was preparing her 6 year old gelding Kyldar Judgement for the Hunter Class at the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show.  Presentation is such a large part of the class and Kylie prepares her horse to perfection.

The black makeup helps to highlight the horses black points and after plaiting the horse she was just putting the finishing touches to the horse as you will see in the following clip.

And it is all kept in the family as 71/2 week old Bronte Jade has attended her first horse show.  Grandma gave her a bottle and she was just blissfully asleep while Mum prepared her horse for her upcoming classes!

What a superb introduction to horse shows.  And proud Grandma believes Bronte will more than likely be following in her Mum’s footsteps and join the throng of equestrian competitors in the not too distant future.

Equestrian competitor Kylie Raymont prepares her horse Kyldar Judgement for the Hunter Class at the 2012 Toowoomba Royal Horse Show

Equestrian Competitors At the End Of The Horse Show Day

Abbey Lovell winds down with her 8 year old thoroughbred gelding Affliction who won her hunter class and hack class at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show today.  Abbey busily unsaddled her horse as Affliction took a deep breath and relaxed after his days efforts.

Affliction has been off the race track since last year so Abbey has been training him for his new career.  And Abbey has certainly got him off to a flying start.  Winning at a Royal Show is certainly an achievement and we have the feeling there is more to come.

Abbey has more hack classes tomorrow and her rider class on Saturday.

Well, we wish both Kylie and Abbey the best of luck with their very kind and giving show horses.  And we are sure we will see more of not only them, but of protégés like little Bronte Jade for many years to come.

We also look forward to seeing you again next time.  Enjoy show time and see you all again soon.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Horse judge Janice Keelan from Western Australia talks about warm blood horses at the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show 2012

Hi Everyone and welcome to Heavy Thunder once more.

Well the horse show season is getting into full swing and we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Western Australian Horse Judge Janice Keelan. She gave a short interview praising the quality of the stock and the running and the organization of the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show. Please enjoy.

Horses and Being a Horse Judge is A Passion

Horse judge Janice Keelan from Western Australia was at the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show Australia on Wednesday 28th March 2012 and we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting to her. At one stage she had Warm Blood Horses for many years. The breed is big, powerful and majestic. And she loved the warm blood horses she saw on the day.

We also had the pleasure of being on the side of the ring where she judged and she was professional, pleasant and proactive in every part of her duties. Janice Keelan clearly loved what she did on the day and the competitors loved her. The atmosphere of the ring was relaxed and enjoyable. In fact, Janice brought joy to each competitor no matter where they appeared in her line up.
The competitors went away with some kind of pearl of wisdom or something learned from their horse showing experience on the day. Horses are a passion for Janice and she gave 110% on the day to judging every single competitors horse. Not to mention the courtesy she showed to all of the ground staff.

Horse judge Janice Keelan with the 2012 Supreme Warm Blood Exhibit NB Ferragamo

A Horse Judge Is Influential in Shaping The Future Horse Industry

Being a competent horse judge is influential in shaping the horse industry for the future.  Horse competitors listen to and learn from a horse judge.  Horse showing is an art form in many respects which takes discipline to succeed in.

The joy of being a horse judge. Horse judge Janice Keelan with two superbly presented horses in a Champion Event

But it certainly is a worthy pursuit. From the very young, being led in rein classes to the not so young people get involved, there is much to learn and a there is a career to be had in horses if that is truly ones passion.  So its great to see a passionate horse judge like Janice Keelan contributing to the horse world and to the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show in 2012.

Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

'Hey fella's we're being watched!' Toowoomba Royal Horse Show red coats. Where would the show be without volunteers like Don Campell and Quickstep, Corey Ellem and Rangeview Nighlife and Darren Reinke and Double Delight?

Toowoomba Royal Horse Show Is On Again!

Toowoomba Royal Horse Show is on again.  It’s Saturday 24th March 2012 and the preparations are drawing to a close as the beginning of the Toowoomba Royal Show grows nearer.

And the Darling Downs Royal Agricultural Society prepare for the 148th Toowoomba Royal Show. But we should remember Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Society will enjoy its 152nd year as a Show Society as during the war years there were four shows not held.

Toowoomba Royal Horse Show Has Gone From Strength to Strength

Since the last show the Toowoomba Royal Show organizers held at the old show grounds in Lindsay St Toowoomba on Saturday, March 23rd 1985, the show has gone from strength to strength.  The organization of the horse show has been under the watchful eye of Catherine James.  Catherine has been Ring Master at Toowoomba Royal Show for the last 11 years and it has been her goal to ensure the show grows into the the new millennium.
Moving from the old showgrounds and into the new grounds in Glenvale Toowoomba has literally been the closing of one era and the dawning of another for the Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Society.

2012 has been quite a significant year for the agricultural industry since the 2011 Queensland floods.  The regions have continued to rebuild and lush green grass has shot up from the ground once more. So things have begun a fresh, new hope has been born and a vision for the future has once more developed.

People have been optimistic which has encouraged horse breeders and enthusiasts to prepare their animals for this year’s show season.  So the region has been buzzing with excitement and has seen significant growth in terms of horse show participation.  And the show still goes on.
Large amounts of competitors enter the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show each year and if you are looking for a great three days of entertainment, you will see all kinds of horse breeds.

The face of a winner at the 2012 Toowoomba Royal Horse Show. First time under saddle 3 year old Ascot Starfinch. Congratulations!

There’ll be Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Gypsy Cobs, Welsh Mountain Ponies just to mention a few. In fact all kinds of horse breeds imaginable will be seen at the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show.

Not to mention jumping, harness and different horse spectaculars.  So come one, come all and enjoy the fun whether you are a competitor or a spectator.

As not only is the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show a prestigious horse show in its own right, it is also one of the shows people use to qualify for other Royal shows like Queensland’s Royal Ekka Show.  So there will be many exquisitely turned out horses there to achieve their qualification for the next big show on people’s personal agenda.

The focus is quite central to people in the horse industry as people will also gear up to vie for the top prizes at the Toowoomba Royal Horse Show.
One such award is the superb bronze bust awarded for Supreme Saddle Hack of the Show.  The trophy is called the Arthur Applegarth Memorial Supreme Saddle Hack of Show.  Its history is quite amazing and will be hotly contested as it usually is each year this coming Saturday.
So people bring their horses from miles around.  They have been known to come from New South Wales, from as far as North Queensland and some people even come from Victoria.

And for the horse show devotees, horse showing is a passion that drives people to greater heights with their horses.

Taking a break under the shade before the next event Heidi Radford with her thoroughbred mare Fiorofo and her Mum

Three reasons people love to show their horses are:

1.    A Horse Show is a gauge to determine how people are tracking with their breeding.  If a horse consistently wins or places no matter what judge it is brought before, you know you’ve bred a good horse

2.    People make a lot of great friends when they go to a horse show.  They travel around the horse show circuit most years and catch up with one another.  They share stories and experiences.  What a great way to make friends and keep in contact?

3.    Most people simply love their horse or horses and frequently win prizes.  If you do win or place consistently at each horse show you go to and you have bought your own horse, you know you have chosen a great show horse

Anjie Cain and her two ponies wind up their first day at Toowoomba Royal Horse Show. Anjie showed in the Harness Section at this year's Toowoomba Royal Horse Show

So if you are looking for some great entertainment and are in the Toowoomba Darling Downs Region, the Toowoomba Royal Show people’s day is this Thursday 29th March 2012.  The Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds are in Glenvale Road Toowoomba Queensland.  If you are planning to compete with your horse, good luck in your chosen section and if you are going to have a look see, we’ll see you there!

Cheers and have fun

Paul and Jann

Arabian Crabbet horses among the Fenwick Frolickers

Hi Everyone it’s certainly great to see you once again.  As some of you might know we have been around horses for most of our lives so we thought we would do a series of road tests on some of the many breeds of horses in Australia today.  As we have owned Crabbet horses for many years we thought we would start in our own back yard.  So the first breed we thought we would look at and do a road test on would be a…

Road Test of  Outstanding Arabian Crabbet Horses

We have been extremely privileged to have known the owners of the historical Arabian Crabbet horses stud owned by the Maclean family for many years now.  As some would know, the stud was founded in 1898 and the first Crabbet horses were imported by Mrs Dora McLean at around 1925.

We have been visiting the stud since 1985, when Jann first visited the stud to see the stallion Greylight.  Greylight was born in 1959 so by 1985 he was 26 years old.   And the most impressive thing that struck Jann was that he was absolutely sound even at that age.  This was a true testament to Crabbet horses.

Since then Jann has kept in contact with Fenwick stud and now Paul and Jann visit regularly with Dora Maclean’s granddaughter, Vicki Johnson.  Vicki and her husband Chris Johnson run Crabbet horses at the stud with brothers Marshall and Gibson Maclean.

Visiting Fenwick is almost like walking back in time.  When you arrive at the front gate the first thing you notice is that most of the fences, made of hand stacked blue stone covered in moss. They were built from rocks cleared from the paddocks over a century ago and are still standing today.

There is a bit of a drive up to the house and stables as the track winds through the trees and stone fences.  We are usually greeted by the Fenwick cattle, or contented sheep sauntering nonchalantly along the track not taking a scrap of notice of our vehicle.

Winmalee Silver Rose...This mare is from a long line of Arabian Crabbet Horses

After having driven through the cattle or sheep and the first internal gate, either side of the drive way are paddocks stretching for what seems like miles.   Housed in these paddocks are Shetlands, Welsh Mountain ponies and of course outstanding Arabian Crabbet horses..

What always strikes us is the superb condition these Crabbet horses are always in.  It just goes to show there is no substitute for good horse country, for at Fenwick there is usually no reason to feed them. Unless of course the horses are being prepared for a show or the conditions are very dry.

Crabbet horses are extremely good foragers and would be described in the horse world as being, “good doers.”

The next striking thing is the nature of these Crabbet horses.  When we enter a paddock, we are always greeted at the gate, or mugged more like.  So getting a photo is as Vicki says herself, ‘usually at least a two man job!’

Sticking noses in camera lenses is definitely a fun past time for the Crabbet horses at Fenwick.  They are relaxed, curious and oooooh so friendly.
‘I know what you’re thinking.  ‘But aren’t Arabian horses a bit flighty?’

We have owned Arabian Crabbet horses for many years and still do.  And we can say without equivocation, ‘owning Crabbet horses is an absolute pleasure.’

‘But how do they perform?’

Well, because they are sound of limb and mind, Crabbet horses are sold and used in many equestrian disciplines throughout the horse world.  From showing at halter, under saddle as hacks, driven in harness along with many other disciplines including endurance, which was what the Arabian horses were originally used by the Bedouins over many 100’s of years.  These magnificent horses were and still are bred to go long distances over hot desert sands.

In Australia today you will see them used in organized endurance events like the Tom Quilty, event. So the proof is definitely in the pudding.  And I must say, our mare, Fenwick Brilliant Gold is kind and gentle and, as you can see in the photo well structured fore and hind.

The relaxed Fenwick Brilliant Gold. This mare is part of Fenwick's Crabbet horses herd

So all of this now begs the question,’ are Arabian Crabbet horses good horses to own?’

And we would say from our own experience, ‘definitely.’

Arabian Crabbet Horses are renowned for being:

1.    Sound of limb and mind
2.    Intelligent and alert
3.    Stylish head with ears set apart set well on the broad muscular neck
4.    Large open nostrils for good breathing
5.    Moderate length of rein
6.    Good spring of rib
7.    Ample brisket for plenty of heart room
8.    Good girth
9.    Good shoulder,  nicely joined at the wither
10.    Moderate length of back, nice and straight
11.    Coupled up nicely at the flattish croup
12.    Tail set high and proud
13.    Deep and broad thighs
14.    Well let down in the flank
15.    Moderate length broad, deep gaskins
16.    To clean well defined hocks of ample depth front to back
17.    Ample quality bone
18.    Clean flat broad cannons
19.    Well sprung pasterns of moderate length and angle behind
20.    Large open feet of hard dense horn
21.    Foreleg is set under the shoulder
22.    Straight and true down through the clean flat knee
23.    Clean flat bone a little finer in front
24.    Well set pasterns
25.    And again large open feet with hard dense horn and a broad heal with elastic frog

If that list impresses you wait until you have seen them move.

At the halter they immediately catch any discerning Judges eye at first glance.

With their head carriage high on a slightly arched neck, with long strides and cleanly lifted hooves, they own the show ring.

They can cover a lot of ground with an easy stride, have a comfortable trot, and the canter is something to behold.  A gallop along a hard sandy beach is amazing to watch, or to experience if you are the rider.

In conclusion, I think we have summed up the Arabian Crabbet horses attributes nicely.

However, always chose wisely when buying horses.  Make sure the animal is being bought for the appropriate intended users experience level, and the horse is being fit for the intended purpose.

EG. If you are buying for a child or a beginner please make sure the horse has had 10 + years of experience and has been used as a beginners or a child’s pony previously.

But at the end of the day, it is your responsibility to source a good horse that is right for you, your child, your relative or your friend.  And above all, remember to enjoy the experience.  After all that’s the main reason most of us get into horses to begin with…Just to have fun.

Well, that’s a wrap for today and thank you once again for joining us.  We look forward to seeing you again sometime soon.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Brumby Blue Ribbon Winner Freedom and Kaitlyn

Welcome one and all once again.  Well, we were at the Cooya Agricultural Show recently in South East Queensland Australia and we were wowed by teenager Kaitlyn and Freedom, her 13 year old brumby gelding.  We never ceased to be amazed by the courage of Australian people and of course their horses.  So please pull up a stump, grab a mug of billy tea and enjoy…

Brumby Australia

Brumby Australia may be the equivalent to the American Mustang.  They roam wild and free with their mob…Until round up time.  Then the sadness begins for the brumby entire horses, mares and their unfortunate foals.

The Fate of Brumby Mobs at Round Ups

Brumby stallions, mares and foals are separated as they are sent off to meat works.  Foals are left behind to fend for themselves no matter what their ages.  But some of the lucky ones are sold to people like Maria Houghson….The word Brumby is the aboriginal word for wild horse and reports of their existence began as early as 1880 in the Melbourne magazine the Australasian.

“So where do they come from?” you might ask.

I guess to answer that question you would need to consider the settlement of Australia.  The south east was settled in 1788.  And the west was settled in 1827 in King George’s Sound.  It is thought there are in excess of 400,000 brumby horses throughout Australia.  However you would mainly find them in the New South Wales Highlands and in Western Australia.

These areas were settled and farms and cattle stations were established.  Overtime some settlers either found the land was too hard to farm.  Others perhaps discovered farm machinery, particularly the tractor in the 1800’s.

“What happened to the horses on the cattle stations or farms at this time?” could be the question now popping into your head.

A lot of different breeds of heavy horses, thoroughbred, Arabian horses and Haflingers were either shot, put on trucks to the knackery’s (if trucks were available) or…These horses were released into the wild.

Let’s move on…By about 180 years.  Roughly 12 years ago a lady named Maria Houghson lived in Western Queensland and wanted to buy a horse for her kids.  She went to a Brumby muster in Mitchell Western Queensland.  And there she found three horses she thought would be suitable as she simply couldn’t buy any others at the time.

So let’s introduce Maria’s Mob:

Brumby gelding Freedom and Kaitlyn blitzing the bending event

1.    Freedom.  As Maria will tell anyone, he is given the name Freedom for a reason.  Freedom is a grey gelding and stands around 13 hands.  Fortunately for Maria she lives in Acland which is about 10 kilometers north of Oakey in South East Queensland.  This is also the home of the New Acland Mine.

So when Freedom decides to go “walkabout,” (and he does quite often by digging under the fence) she need not worry about coal trucks or Freedom getting lost.  The trucks will stop for him if he wanders in front of them and Freedom will eventually arrive home at the front gate wanting his breakfast or dinner:  Whatever the time of day might be.

But there is also another side of Freedom.  He has been broken to saddle and is the pride and joy of Maria’s teenage daughter Kaitlyn. I recently saw Maria and Kaitlyn at the Cooya Show. Cooya is just a little further north on the Darling Downs in Queensland.

Brumby gelding Freedom and Kaitlyn jumping

Kaitlyn absolutely blitzed the novelty events like barrel racing and bending events she entered into with Freedom.   Needless to say Freedom can jump.  He would be an asset to any jumping team as Freedom jumps, freely and easily without balking.  He is also a registered Australian Saddle Pony

2.    Maria’s chestnut mare, Flossy is around 14.3 hands
3.    And the third horse of Maria’s is Ned Kelly who is a 14.3 hand grey gelding
4.    Then there’s the gelding Dreamtime and:
5.    Culloden Moor who is a Clydesdale x Brumby mare

Three of these four horses were raised in Maria’s backyard and handled by the kids.  So brumby horses can in fact be extraordinary mounts.  And yes, they can be a challenge.  However if you choose to adopt a Brumby and you don’t have a lot of time maybe you should also consider:

•    Any horse can be a challenge given their enormous size and weight
•    A brumby might need to be afforded a little more time to settle into a new life given the freedom they once had or:
•    Send the brumby to a professional trainer rather than attempt to train the animal yourself.  Brumby horses are probably rather “street wise” so to speak.  And they will no doubt will get up to tricks the average horse may not

However the message here is the brumby is trainable and can be a very useful animal to own which, according to Maria is, “proving you could do it another way.”  This means there is a different market and a different way or avenue for the brumby horse.  Rather than sending a large percentage of these horses to slaughter.

So in the darkness, there does shine a light for the Brumby in Australia on two fronts, firstly there are people like Maria who adopt these horses.  Brumby horses are then offered a new home and a new life. Secondly there is an organization known as Save the Brumbies.  The goal of this voluntary organization is to save a horse that is part of Australian heritage.

Founder Jan Carter strives to stop inhumane treatment of the Brumby and alter the outcome of these wild horses by channelling them into new homes with people like Maria.  As we have seen, the brumby has a mixture of many horse breeds.  So the Brumby is largely intelligent, useful and can definitely be gentled.

If you would like more information on this amazing horse please contact http://www.savethebrumbies.org/   Being a voluntary organization, a donation is always gratefully received, but the ultimate goal is to find a new home for a brumby horse in Australia.

Thanks for joining us today and we’ll see you again soon with more of Heavy Thunder Down Under.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Triumph…MaryAnn Schafer riding her gorgeous Morgan mare Rikki on an Australian Beach…Heralding another one of MaryAnn's dreams fulfilled.    Photo courtesy of Noni Martin.

17^th September 2011.  Well good morning everyone and welcome once again to Heavy Thunder.  The Morgan horse is in the hearts and minds of many people worldwide.  They are strong, adaptable and easily handled.  This has once again bought us back to the Morgan Mare Rikki.   But Rikki, along with her owners, is a powerful team.  A team who share…

A Winning Attitude And The Triumph Of  A Morgan Mare…

You may all remember the story of Diane Howard, MaryAnn Schafer and their morgan mare called Rikki?  It was the heart warming story of two women who worked together to bring valuable Morgan Horse blood lines to Australia.  Rikki travelled those miracle miles across the Pacific Ocean from America. 

For those of you who may not be familiar with this story please go to www.heavythunder.com/the-miracle-miles-pt1

Well, Diane and MaryAnn have been working together now for many years.  There is a day in each year that will stay in the hearts and minds of both these women.  August 25^th.  In August 25^th 2008 the battle was on to save Diane’s stallion from a bout of colic.  Which, we might add…He won!  

August 25^th 2009 brought a new day and Diane and MaryAnn discovered their beloved mare, Fox Brush Custom Design, aka Rikki, was lame in the paddock.  Now most of us who own horses have all had lame horses and we have mostly managed to heal them.  But as time went on and when Rikkki didn’t improve Diane decided to investigate.  MaryAnn was visiting from America for an upcoming Inaugural Beach Ride at the time.

So Diane and MaryAnn did what most of us would have done.  Put Rikki on a float to take her to the vets.  But not without first leading her over some trenches Diane and her husband Jock were having done on their property.  This was the only way to get her out of the paddock. 

Rikki kindly and willingly jumped over these trenches as her owners asked.  She also travelled for Diane and MaryAnn which, we might add, isn’t her favourite thing.  At the initial veterinary consult it was thought the mare would improve over time, as with most lameness’s. 

After MaryAnn went home, and when Rikki didn’t improve, Diane decided to continue the veterinary investigations.  X-ray after x-ray revealed no abnormality…Until Diane requested an x-ray be performed on Rikki’s hind cannon bone rather than on her hock. 

The final test revealed, to Diane’s horror, a fracture.  But the good news was the fracture was an “S” shape.  There were a couple of bony “spurs” or “hooks” if you like which helped “stabilize” the bone.  And although Rikki’s recovery wasn’t going to happen too quickly, the nature of the fracture saved Rikki.

Diane and her husband stabled Rikki to follow her vet’s advice to restrict her movement while her leg healed.  Diane and Jock built a stable amongst the hubbub of the Howard’s daily life and kept Rikki in the loop as it were. 

Rikki calmly watched the daily proceedings and allowed herself to be pampered during what was a very stressful time for Diane and her family as well as for MaryAnn.  Did we mention here Rikki was in foal for part of this time?  So added to everything else going on, the Stress Factor was probably off the Richter scale for everyone!

But in amongst all of this Rikki managed to successfully carry the foal.  And as time went on, Rikki’s leg healed and she produced a bouncing, baby bay boy.   Diane and MaryAnn both adore the colt, Wirraway Copyright, and is not only an achievement but quite something to look at. 

As most of us would be aware, Diane and MaryAnn are dreamers.  Life went on and Rikki’s working career didn’t come to an end once her leg was fully healed.  So true to form, once Rikki had fully recovered, and her leg was totally healed, Diane decided to enter her in the Australian National Morgan Horse Show.  In harness! 

MaryAnn just loves combined driving events and had an unfulfilled dream at this point regarding her Morgan’s.  So when MaryAnn travelled to Australia Diane made it her mission to plan for the show.   Maryann ended up travelling to Australia to compete with Rikki in a horse drawn vehicle in the scheduled harness events.  Rather than be sidelined as a spectator.  And the rest, as many of us have said in the past, is history.

But what was most impressive for the Howard Family and MaryAnn Schafer is August 25^th is no longer a dark day.  August 25^th 2011 passed uneventfully as will many more to come.  So the 25^th of August is now a dark day conquered.  And the winning attitude and the triumph of a Morgan mare would now be recorded in the annals of history.

So the words “Miracle Mile” is so apt for Diane, MaryAnn and a Morgan mare called Rikki.  As every mile the mare has travelled has truly been a miracle.  And it was all thanks to two women whose dreams were not only to fulfil personal goals but to expand the Morgan horse’s horizons in Australia. 

And we at Heavy Thunder think it is now safe to say, ‘Well done guys and congratulations on having the courage of your convictions to achieve your goals.’

Well thank you for joining us on this superb spring day here in Ravensbourne Australia.  And we’ll look forward to your company next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Penny Lane with the, 'mighty man behind the scene's,' according to wife Jan Young…Lex Young …Photo courtesy Jan and Lex Young.

Hi Everyone and Welcome to Heavy Thunder.  Well the Brisbane Ekka has come and gone once again but the end of this year’s Ekka heralds the end of an amazing harness career.  Jan and Lex Young have decided to retire Penny Lane from the Show World so we would like to take this opportunity to bid…

A Fond Farewell From The Horse Show World To The Perfect Penny Lane

Have you ever noticed in life you really should be careful what you dream of, as it might actually happen?    Well Jan Young sat on the side of the arena at the Ekka as a child and dreamed of competing in the Brisbane Exhibition.  Since that time Jan and Lex Young have not only competed but won events way beyond Jan's wildest dreams, particularly with their mare Penny Lane.

So we at Heavy Thunder would like to congratulate and bid a fond farewell…not only from us…But from the horse show world to the perfect Penny Lane.  Jan and Lex Young and their Perfect Penny Lane have won the following awards in recent times:

• ·         Champion Non Hackney Pony at the Brisbane Exhibition in 2008  
• ·         Reserve Buggy/sulky Turnout also at the Brisbane Exhibition in 2008
• ·         1^st Viceroy Turnout at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
• ·         1^st Ladies Non Hackney Pony twice at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
• ·         Supreme Champion at the Qld Show-driving Champs twice 
• ·         Reserve Champion Non Hackney at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney in 2009 
• ·        1st in the Buggy Turnout again at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney 2009
• ·         Reserve Champ Pneumatic Tyred Vehicle at the 2009 Brisbane Exhibition
• ·         1st Best Light Horse Turnout on Parade at Sydney Royal Easter Show twice and 2nd twice
• ·         Welsh Pony & Cob Soc Achievers Award for 2010
• ·         Champion Turnout and Concours D'Eleganze winner at the Qld Show driving Champs 2011
• ·         A special presentation for Jan and Lex’s contribution to the RNA for the last 30yrs and let’s not forget:
• ·         Many Champion awards at Agricultural Shows in Queensland

Jan and Lex were also recognized by the RNA in the night parade.  What an absolutely awesome achievement!  So parting will be such sweet sorrow for the show horse world and the Perfect Penny Lane.

Congratulations Jan and Lex on your brilliant performance over so many years with Penny.  But we all look forward to your continued participation and seeing you both competing in the horse show world for many more years to come.

We at Heavy Thunder would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best with your next showing endeavours Jan and Lex.  And we know you will both continue to make new friends but above all we know you'll continue to have fun! 

So thanks for joining us everyone and we’ll look forward to seeing you all next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

The perfect Penny Lane winning another blue ribbon to add to her already impressive collection.  Buying the mare has been win-win for both owners Jan and Lex Young  as well as for the bay/black mare Penny Lane.  Photo courtesy Heavy Thunder Down Under.

Paul and I were at Crows Nest Show in South East Queensland this year when we noticed a lady scooting around the showgrounds in a motorized wheelchair.  Paul was judging and we never thought any more about it until that same lady, Jan Young, entered his show ring.   Paul was judging light harness classes that day.  Jan was driving the superb dark bay/black harness horse Penny Lane.

Jan and Lex Young are an amazing couple as Jan had polio when she was a child which explained the need for a motorised wheelchair.  Her husband Lex was involved in a head on motor vehicle accident in 1965.  He lost not only an arm, but a leg as well as a result.

It is truly inspirational to watch this mature couple with their horses.  On arrival at a horse show Jan and Lex take their horses out of their truck and prepare for the day’s events.  There is definitely a process to what they do and they do it very well.

But there was certainly a melding of souls for the American Saddlebred, Welsh B cross mare Penny Lane when she ended up being owned by such a special couple.  Penny Lane also had her challenges; Penny had been kept in a small stable without windows in Broken Hill when Lex and Jan Young went to pick her up about 7 years ago.

 
Penny’s owners at the time went through particularly hard times.  And although they did what they could to look after the mare, they found it extremely difficult.  It was these circumstances which prompted the sale of the mare.

Meanwhile, Lex and Jan grappled with the idea of travelling such a long way to pick up a horse in far away as Broken Hill. But as we all know in life, timing is everything.

So when the timing was right, Lex and Jan got in their truck, threw in some bedding and an esky.  They grabbed their little dog and off they all went to pick up their Penny Lane.  It took them a day and a half to get down there and a day and a half to get back with the horse but the journey was worth every kilometre they travelled to pick her up. 

As a child, Jan had been brought up around horses.  Her mother was an avid horsewoman.  Jan would go to the Ekka each year with her family and sit on the side of the arena and dream…Of being a competitor at the Brisbane Exhibition one day. 

While growing up, Jan and Lex both went to pony club and local shows.  But the couple didn’t meet until some years later.  They met at a rehabilitation centre in Brisbane after Lex’s accident and married sometime later.  It wasn’t long before the pitter patter of little feet was heard by Lex and Jan.

 
And surprise, surprise…Their children grew up to love horses too.  The couple began driving horses in harness in 1981.  So when Lex and Jan finally started going to such large shows like the Ekka, the children would compete with their horses in the ridden classes, while Mum and Dad competed in the harness classes.

 
Jan was living her dream at last.  But the acquisition of Penny Lane was to take that dream to a new level.  To date, Jan reckons Penny has won at least 50 Championships in harness.

 
These Championships including Royal Shows like the Brisbane Ekka.  But one of Jan’s finest achievements, she believes, was winning Reserve Champion harness horse at Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2011.

 
Jan is particularly proud of that ribbon as she competed against 12 others in the Championship class.  A Championship class of that calibre is a very respectable class indeed and one well worth winning.

 
But in more recent times, Lex and Jan went to the Show Driving Championships in Beenleigh in Queensland.  Jan and Penny won the dressage tests/events in harness.  They also won the show driving events as well as all the turnout classes.  What more could girls want?

Jan has come a long way since dreaming on the side of the arena at the Brisbane Ekka all those years ago.  And life dealt the perfect Penny Lane an extraordinary hand since that day 7 years ago when Lex and Jan Young came into her life and bought her. 
Jan and Lex are an extremely competitive, tenacious and an amazing couple.  A couple who will continue to love and show their exquisite harness horse Penny Lane as long as life allows.

Jan has also been the President of the Range Horse & Carriage Club Inc on the Darling Downs in Queensland.  So Jan and Lex aren’t just dedicated to Penny Lane but to horses in harness in general.  They believe driving is another opportunity for people to get out and enjoy their horses, particularly when they could no longer ride.

Well that’s a perfect wrap everyone.  We at Heavy Thunder would like to congratulate Lex and Jan on their efforts over such a long period of time.  And we wish them well in whatever endeavours they choose to embark on.  As we know they will accomplish whatever it is they set their minds to perfectly well.

Cheers

Paul and Jann

Doing what he loves to do…Judging and teaching.  Mentoring horse owners is the next step and a dream come true for internationally recognized horse judge Paul Maskell.

G’day everyone and welcome back.  Have you ever thought of finding a passion and turning it into a successful career?  This was something I have pondered on for quite some time.  Until I came across something I knew I would love to do…

Mentoring

As you might know by now I have had a lifelong passion for horses of all breeds.  And I have pursued that passion with vigour.  My wife Jann and I have bred pure Crabbet Arabian and Clydesdale horses for many decades now.

At one stage friends of ours dreamed of having a horse stud of their own but didn’t know how to go about it.  So they asked me if I would mentor them.  I liked the idea and decided I would.  Horses were handpicked, and I helped them establish their first horse stud. 

These people were in constant contact with me and I would teach them about their horses.  The discussions we had included horse handling, horse tack, grooming, feet care, horse feeding regimes to mention just a few topics.  But the list went on and on. 

Meanwhile we had plans of our own and were in contact with many different horse studs and horse people as we were perusing our own horse breeding program.  And we targeted a particular stallion for one of our mares. 

The stallion owners didn’t believe we had made the right decision and thought we hadn’t chosen wisely.  However we were pleased with our choice and really confident the mating would be a good one.  We explained the logic of this particular plan and eventually they could see where we were going.

The result was a superb filly most breeders would simply love to have in their paddock…Including the stallion owners.  Other breeders offered to buy the mare from us, but have since learned she was not for sale. The mare is truly irreplaceable.   

The amount of time and research devoted to breeding this particular mare has been well worth the effort.  The stallion owners have talked to us at length and have learned from us too.  Even though they run an extremely successful and well established stud.

From these and other experiences I discovered I love to mentor people so they too can be successful. But thinking back, this was the first time I had "officially" mentored others.   I have been helping others and mentoring for a long time but really hadn't realized it.

And because of my thirst to know all I can about horses, I have accumulated an incredible amount of knowledge.  I have learned through structured industry recognized horse courses and by talking to countless well respected horse people. 

‘So where is all of this going?’ you might ask. 

Well, the thing is I would like to continue to pass my knowledge onto others.  So I have developed Our Horse Secrets  which is a unique home study course you can access completely online.  This means you can learn from the comfort of your own home. 

The program includes weekly e-classes, email access or, you can talk to us directly.  Any issue you may be experiencing at the time with your horse relative to the course is up for discussion. 

My mentoring includes many, many topics including basic horse handling, buying a horse right through to breeding and foals…The topics are too numerous to mention here.

I am really excited about this opportunity we are offering as it is something really positive.   My wife Jann and I are still very successful with horses.  And being able to help people with horsemanship and horse management at Our Horse Secrets really is a dream come true for me.   

I have wanted to pass on my knowledge before my life ends.  And one thing you might not be aware of is the meaning of my name.  My name is Maskell, which means tender of horses. 

So I look forward to be able to help you tend to your own horses efficiently and effectively.  As I have helped others over many years.  But by using today’s technology I can help others with their horses quickly and easily.

Please feel free to check out our new website Our Horse Secrets.  There is lots of free horse information available there.  But remember, if you do need a helping hand, there is one if you want one in the form of our mentoring program.

As I have already successfully mentored others I know I can help you with your horse.

Well that’s it for today.  Thanks for dropping by once again and I look forward to your company next time.

Cheers

Paul

Jan Young enjoying another successful day in the show ring.