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Equine Education & Foundation Training
ABN 38 883 732 368
Breaking & Re-educating of
Competition, Pleasure, Race Horses & Ponies
Mobile 0428 643 773   e-mail

Some of the Horses I have worked with ...
as told to Berni Saunders

Tony says, "I get the  greatest  satisfaction from working through the various challenges and eventually seeing a happy horse and rider combination."

"Many people who have brought horses to me for some specific help are now having regular lessons, not  just riding, but general handling and management - this work is the key to them being able to handle and train their horse!  Again it gets down to basics!  If they are missing from the horse's education, the rider is sure to 'hit a wall' sometime later on."

Tony is a real 'hands on' person and is prepared to work with owners to achieve the desired outcome ... and provide the on-going support and advise to see it through.

With huge developments in  the Australian Performance Horse breeding industry , there are now many people in the business who have 'international quality' youngstock, that they are looking to have prepared and shown at the many dedicated "Young Horse" events. 

'Commercially aware' breeders are aware that presenting their horses to a large number of dedicated enthusiasts ... and  having the horse work to it's best  potential, is the most  effective marketing exercise that they could undertake and in most cases the cost of the work is covered in the horse's improved value.  This way of thinking has been the basis of the very buoyant European performance market - and it is catching on in Australia.

 

In 2005 Tony was asked if he would take on a very special horse for Victorian Dressage judge and rider Gwyn Coulthard.   Hollingrove Lancelot  ( by the frozen semen stallion Longchamp from Hollingrove Fallon who is out of Hollingrove's outstanding matriarch Faletin).

 Lance is a very special horse and Tony believed that the elegant bay gelding was a good example of the sort of horse that would show an  immediate benefit from the ‘specialist young horse’ methodology that he has used to bring out the best in similar young ‘superstars’.

At this early stage of his education, Lance was proving to be a little too much for his rider and she was keen that his early experiences would be positive.   After a very short time with Tony, there was a great improvement and it was felt that the horse was ready to take part at their first 'Young Horse qualifier' in September.  They finished in the  top 10 which  was a very pleasing outcome.

With this good result as a 'benchmark' Gwyn & Tony decided to aim towards a start at the prestigious Australian Young Dressage Horse Championships which is conducted at Dressage with the Stars.

With only 2 qualifying events remaining on the 2005 calendar, they had their work cut out!  At the very next event they finished in first place which confirmed that Tony had successfully got through to Lancelot and was now able to count on the horse’s goodwill and talent to do the job he was bred to do!

At this stage most of what Tony and Gwyn had aimed to achieve had been well and truly fulfilled and any further success would be ‘icing on the cake’!  Taking part at DWTS was a bonus ... and will always remain a career highlight for both Tony and Lancelot!

On the big day, they finished in the top 10 after the first round. Lancelot was nervous and the big atmosphere did not help.  When he was entering the indoor arena for the second round of competition, Lancelot bit his tongue and quite understandably, was not permitted to continue in the competition.

 It was a huge disappointment, but naturally the welfare of the horse must come before ambition and Lance was retired.  "We reminded ourselves how far Lance had come in a few short months and felt very proud to have made it through to round two." Tony said.

For Lance and Gwyn ... a few more positive experiences and further training will see the horse better able cope with the pressures of a ‘big atmosphere’ and he is sure to be in the winner's circle again.

Tony says ..." I believe that working with young horses is a special area of expertise that I have.  Many young horses are taken through this demanding process by someone who perhaps lacks confidence or does not understand the unique considerations involved in the training that gives the youngsters their best chance.  I know that a successful campaign will depend on thorough preparation and I am happy to discuss my recommendations with owners looking to have their horses professionally prepared."

Not all horses are destined to be 'superstars' and the key to getting the best out of them is to understand their weaknesses and learn how to work around these things ... and to highlight the strengths.  "This is fascinating, and brings great rewards to all concerned."
 

 


Tony and the 8 year old Anglo Arabian gelding Summit Park Zalam (Maloo).  "This horse could have spent his life being ordinary, but he has a reservoir of 'untapped talent' and everyday he surprises me with its depth.  Perhaps he will not get to represent Australia in Beijing, but he has already surpassed our expectations and I think the best is yet to come.  The picture on the right was taken at a July 2006 competition and Maloo's scores keep getting better all the time.

My business is about making every horse that little bit better and giving them the chance to do their job to the best of their ability.

Tony and Dharma getting to know each other!


Above is Berni Saunders' (A Level Dressage Judge and FEI competitor) rising 5 YO Anglo Arabian mare Hollybrook Dharma.  She went to Tony on the 7th of July 2006 for a 20 week preparation for this season's "Young Dressage Horse" events. 

Dharma is a tall, elegant mare with loads of potential but some issues in her early training have given a challenge to a rider who is capable of working with her to show her beautiful best.  Tony seemed to get the young mare's measure and we hope to have her up to a competitive performance in November 2006 at Dressage with the Stars.

"Berni understands that the huge entries mean that winning is probably an unrealistic dream, but a successful campaign will give the horse a fantastic start for her future." Tony reflects about his task.


After just three weeks together, Tony and Dharma had their first competition outing and most of the work was very pleasing.  Tony has been able to very accurately assess the horse and work with her to minimise some early resistances which could have spoilt her chances to progress.  Dharma has beautiful movement with outstanding activity in her hind legs.  She is worth sending to a specialist and the future is looking 'rosy'.  Dharma got some good scores and came home with a 4th ribbon ... wow!

" It is not really about winning, it is being able to perform to the best potential of both horse and rider and as most Australian riders are hobbyists, safety and fun  must be the  important considerations."  Tony added.

 


Every horse is capable of giving a pleasant feel ... Tony and Jess work through some basic exercises to ensure that 'Oscar' is on the bit, over the back and able to give his best work.  Jess is riding her 16 YO TB Oscar and Tony shows her how to warm him up and get him more supple through acceptance of the aids and bending exercises.  Oscar was transformed in just half an hour of correct and progressive training!

Tony says, "This horse could easily be overlooked if good riding were not my key consideration.  When he is well ridden and properly warmed up, he improves by 50%.  Steady progress is all you can ask!"

Talk to Tony about your special horse ... or any special training requirements and he will
be happy to develop a training program to suit .