Aylesbury Performance Standardbreds

I have ridden horses since I was 4- my dad was one of the last drovers in the 'Territory.  Although I began on a station (i.e. campdrafting, stockwork etc.) when we moved to town we went to Pony Club (on dad's stockhorses).  Before long we were taking racehorses off the track & retraining them for showjumping. I did the uni & career thing & had to give up serious riding for about a decade.  I then got sick of the city & moved to a station in Queensland, where I had access for several years to monthly dressage lessons &  did this on my stockhorse amidst the cattle.

When I moved back home to Alice Springs I met my current (and very first) Standie  'Riley' (formerly 'Dicey Riley') at my mum's stables. He had got off the truck from SA & had another owner at the time.  She asked me to ride him & I remember his fantastic attitude to everything.  I have owned many horses- but none so easy to do things with!  He just 'had a go' at whatever task he was put to.  I only rode him 4 times & then he moved away to another stabling complex. 

Many months later I received a phone call "would I like to buy him?".  I said no as I had just got a mortgage.  In the end I took him & am so glad I did.  He is such a lovely horse, with so many funny little foibles.  I have taken him slowly & have tried to keep a lot of variety in his work.  I focus on dressage & showjumping (although we have also been Clark of the Course at the local races too).  His dressage has gone ahead in leaps- I received the compliment of a lifetime last comp when the judge said she 'didn't even know he was a pacer ' till she saw the brands afterwards.  I guess all that work on the canter paid off!! His personal favourite is showjumping & we have had an absolute BALL this year. He'll have a go at anything!!