Aylesbury Performance Standardbreds

Hi Renae,

First of all, a big, huge cyber hug from me to you...Congratulations 
on being a mum for the second time. I hope you are recovering well and 
arn't too sore. I hope your precious bundle of joy is happy, healthy, 
eating and sleeping well. :o) :o)

Now to Schnaps, well, what can I say.... Here is a testimonial for 
your website :o)

Firstly I want to Thank you so mmuch for choosing me to be the proud, 
new mummy of your stunning girl. She was everything I imagined she's 
be and more when she stepped off the truck. Her conformation is 
excellent and will only improve with age and maturity. Her 
personality, well that is really starting to shine through after a few 
weeks of getting to know each other. She is a true 'alpha mare' in all 
respects. She came along and has asserted herself with every single 
one of my horses and ponies. She is so bold and each morning when I 
let her out of her night yard for the day she does a lap of her 
paddock, just to check things are all ok, and not out of order from 
the day before. Despite being an alpha mare, she is very respectful of 
me on the ground and keeping out of my space, unless I invite her in, 
which is all the time! She loves a cuddle and a scratch too. I adore 
her dishy, little arab head and she is so easy to train, picking 
things up very quickly, just like my arabs. She can also move the 
house down with that massive trot of hers. She has a huge length of 
stride, along with knee and hock action which I adore. I must admit, I 
think it was fate that brought Schnaps to me at a time when I needed a 
bright spark in my life. You see, my old standy gelding has been very 
sick and nearly died. When Schnaps came home, he was still in hospital 
at Werribee, fighting for his life. As soon as she stepped off the 
truck, I thought, "wow, she's the same colour as my old boy!" My other 
show standy mare, Willow was also be sotted by her. I wondered why, 
until I looked up Schnaps' pedigree to discover she was born on 9th 
October 2006. It just so happens my beautiful Willow had a foal prior 
to me rescuing her from the clutches of the knackery man. Turns out, 
Willow's foal was born on 4th October 2006. Schnaps has not only 
lightened up my life, but that of my beloved girl Willow too. They are 
the best of friends, so affectionate with each other and are even 
happy to share their dinner without fuss. It is like they have known 
each other in a previous life.

I will treasure Schnaps forever and I have big plans in store for her. 
I'm sure she will be everything and more that I was expecting her to be.

Once again, thank you for intrusting me with your girl.

Take care,

Renee and Schnaps xoxoxox

Kirsty Writes:

Hi Renae and Jon,

Just a quick note to update you on how things are going with Arnie, He is a gem such a sweetie. He has settled in well and we have been out for rides around the block and I even rode him bare back with a halter in the paddock one day and he just plodded along without a care in the world. We take the dog out in the paddock now at feeding time to kick his ball and Arnie thinks that is just great you can almost see him wanting to go and chase the ball himself. Thank you for Arnie he is all I dreamed about.

Thanks Kirsty

Following The Clinic @ Loxton PC, Leah wrote:

All those who attended the clinic have said to book Renae in next year to come back again. We would like Renae to come back monthly!!! Renae ran this Clinic in a well planned and well organised manner. It ran smoothly and Renae had the full attention of each and every participant for the whole day. We just couldnt get enough of her. Renae's passion for horses, horsemanship and the plight of the Standardbred is clear and obvious. Each participant went home with positive advice for their horse and themselves to work with. Another really important part of the clinic is that during many of the subjects covered throughout the day, Renae backed up and supported our Club Instructor and reinforced subjects and topics that our Club Instructor has covered in the past as well. Sometimes people need to hear the same thing from someone different for it to turn on a "lightbulb" - so to speak.
So THANKYOU so much Renae for a fantastic learning day for us, hope you are not too tired today, please come back soon. Thanks very much to Nicole for being the Chauffer/Navigator for the day.
We would definitely recommend to all that if the opportunity arises to attend an Aylesbury Lodge Clinic - DO IT!

Hi Renae,
 
Just writing to give you a progress report on Amber Vision [Aubrey].  He has a lovely temperament and has settled in very well.  He is a carrot addict and perhaps this explains why he is so easy to catch.  Have started to ride him through the Wombat State Forest.  His is slowly relaxing - the environment must be light years from what he is used to - but he is doing really well.  Thank you very much for sending us this lovely boy.  Allen [who has a lot of experience with horses] keeps telling me that I don't know how luck I am -Aubrey is so easy going and great to work with.  When we started looking for a horse that was suitable for someone returning to riding i.e. reasonably bomb proof, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.  Aubrey is everthing that we hoped he would be.  Once again, thank you very much
 
Cheers, Carol

Helen was so keen on Scam Cam she bought him when he was still in race condition. So impressed was she with his temperement, the morning she went to collect him, he went to Chase The Ace. Outcome, pearler.. Here's a recent update....

Natalie Writes:

Hi Renae and Jon,
 
Just emailing to thankyou both so, so much for all you help and for delivering him to me. And for Darth Invader of course.
 
He has been eating and having a look around since he stepped off the float, i have given him a brush and lots of cuddles, and he has neighed to my other standie and pony a few times with lots of replies. Once he settles in and gets to know me (and i get to know him a little more) i will hop on and send you a photo and keep you updated.
 
I cant believe he's here already, its great. Even in a new environment he's totally calm and a gentleman.
 
Thanks you so, so very much (i cant say that enough).
 
Cheers,
Natalie

AND YES, THAT BLASTED SONG DOES STICK IN YOUR HEAD!!!!

Tanith Writes:

Hi Renae,

Just thought I’d drop you an email to let you know that we’re going well together and send you a piccie.

Smoke on the Water, who we now call “Smokey”, is doing really well. He got off the float and everyone was so impressed with how quiet he was after the long drive – his only major concern was dinner! We’ve had our ups and downs over our first week together, as you would expect, getting to know each another. But it’s been just over a week of regular work, persistence and building trust, and now he’s going along really nicely, forward and feeling much more confident in himself. We’ve even been out for a ride in the park, and he LOVES being led along the path in hand while he stuffs himself full of grass!

His biggest shock since coming home I think has been the hills – his paddock is on a slope and so is the arena we’re working in, which is doing his top-line wonders as you can imagine, but leaving him a little stiff! His water trough is at the bottom of his paddock, and so for the first few days he was home he’d put in a huge fuss about having to walk down the hill, you should have seen him tossing his head about like it was some major imposition to him! I guess there aren’t too many hills on a race track ;)

Anyway, just wanted to let you know he’s being spoilt rotten, and loving it. He’s about to get a bath actually, given the lovely weather, and I’ve even got him a rug made of towel material, so he’s got a bathrobe! What more could a horse want!

Thanks so much for Smokey, I think we’re going to have a really good time together!

-Tanith

Purchased Unseen By Tania In Victoria, she writes:-

Hi Renae,

Colvin's settling in really well, comes up for lots of pats, and is gaining
popularity with everyone that meets him. Yesterday we took him and his new
paddock mate Willow for a walk around town while we got a brief sunny spot,
and of course he was the perfect gentleman! Today I gave him a short lunge
(in the 2 acre paddock), and again he behaved impeccably. I can't believe
how quiet he is espcially considering he's pretty much straight off the
track! He has beautiful manners and tries so hard to please, but he still
has a huge character, and has already made us laugh several times.
Unfortunately I'm back to dial up as our modem has completely cracked it, so
I can't send pics just yet, but will as soon as I can.

Thanks again for all your help joining us together, and hope you can keep up
the great work for all the others in need of your expertise for many years
to come!

I will send another update soon.

Cheers

Tan

In what could only be described as a record, Positive Outlook sold within 2 hours of being advertised online. His new owner didn't even ride him, infact the only reason her and her father (himself a respected horseman) came around within 3 hours was to put down a deposit! His new owner/rider is so impressed with him, she wrote this poem about Standardbreds..

Hi my race name is Hardihood Villain but im now known as Merlin. I was living at Aylesbury Lodge, but on the 3rd of February I was loaded on a float and taken to my new home, we pulled into a car park where I was going to live, Racheal greeted me at the float.

After Renae left I was given some hay and a little later a bath and I was taken for a walk, I was a little nervous.

A couple of days later I had my saddle on for the very first time and everyone was pleased with my progress and now I'm cantering under saddle and I have a best friend by the name of Chester, he's a Shetland Pony.

Most of all Thank you to Renae and Aylesbury lodge for placing me into such

a good home Love Merlin.

Hi, This is my testimonial for Hardihood Villain, and now known as Merlin.

Merlin is just gorgeous, he has taken to the saddle well, at the moment I am teaching him to bend his neck a bit more and bring his head down, but he is really catching on.

I have also bee teaching him to canter in a circle, he is really good at cantering on the straights, but he will get there.

Last week I decided to take him over some trot polls for the first time, I thought he would be a bit silly and nervous to trot over them but he was really good, so I decided to take him over a little jump and he actually jumped it, no refusal or anything, I was so proud of him.

Merlin always gets a wash after every ride, which he really enjoys and then he gets his chaff feed and hay, He has a really nice home!

I'd just like to thank Renae and Jon for giving me the most loving horse, so now I have the two most wonderful standardbreds ever!!!

Love Racheal.

Know known as Fred.. His new mum writes:

Hi Jon and Renae,

Congratulations on the birth of your little girl, she is just adorable.  We thought we would send you an update on Fred.  He is absolutely wonderful and a very much loved member of our family!  We have been having lessons with Linda O’leary and have established a very balanced and soft trot (canter is getting there) with leg yielding and have him on the bit now.  He is great to go out on the roads with as he is so bold and we have both taught each other a lot over the last 6mths.  Thank you to you both for bringing Fred into our lives and will email you some more pics in the future.

Rachel and Veronica

Cindy Writes:

 

This is Bear or race name Whata Rush. More like Nota Rush. He is just Beautiful Renae. Thank you for your help in choosing Bear. He is a sweet boy who will even give my six and three year old children a pony ride.

I recently bought a horse advertised as a beginners horse. I Had a STB Macar all on his own. I Contaced Renae who advised me to purchase another horse to keep him company. Mac was depressed living alone and had become Lame and unridable. He was stressing about everything. We found another Stb Bear and Renae helped us with fiding out the suitability of Bear for me. We went to get him on a windy day I rode him in the wind and all and he was a good boy. I was so worried that the 2 horses would not get along and we would end up with a injured horse. That was not the case. Renae helped me by giving me some tips on how to do the introduction of the 2 horses. Turned out it was love at first sight. They made best friends straight away with out even as much as a squeel. Mac is now the calm boy he was advertised as and we are all so pleased.

Any one who is interested in purchasing a STB should do so through Aylesbury lodge cos Renae really knows what she is talking about and has a tallent for helping horses and their owners come together. We love our 2 new horses and we hope that they will be here with us for the rest of their lives.

You really are the best Renae. The STB industry wouldn't be the same without you. We are only one of many families that Renae has helped find the right horse. Here is a pic of Bear and me his new beginner mum.This is the place I bought him from in Whyalla a bit unclear as it was dusty and windy.

Keep up the excellent work.

From Cindy, Mac,Bear and Family.

Anne Writes:

This testimonial is to say a big “thank you” to Renae and Jon for the wonderful job they do – it’s a little belated but no less sincere!!

My love for standardbreds happened by accident.  My daughter at 15 decided to give up riding and we sold her TB.  I then needed a companion for my own TB and as luck would have it, a friend from pony club sold me her recently broken to saddle pacer (she now has another s/bred from Aylesbury Lodge, of course!!).  Thinking my daughter may want to ride again, at some stage, I thought I would do some basic flatwork with my new addition.  Of course, I fell in love with him, really enjoyed training him to be a ridden horse rather than one in harness and within a year we were doing our first one day event together.  He has a lovely balanced canter and yes he jumps very well !!  If anyone has John and Linda O”Leary’s standardbred DVD – he is “Nugget” the last horse to appear on it !!

The result of my introduction to the standardbred was that I sold my own TB and got another one!  Again he was a green broken pacer and again he was great to teach and natural at the canter.  His personality was second to none and soon we were off to pony club.  Having experienced the standardbred first hand I started looking at websites dedicated to these horses and came across Aylesbury Lodge.  Both my standardbreds at that time were around 15.1 hh and the second was quite fine.  Being tall I was generally more comfortable on a bigger horse.

Then I saw “Jake”  (who looks like he has a wonderful home in NSW).  Unfortunately, when I rang Renae about him he was already spoken for but she did tell me that she had another 16.1hh plus horse I may be interested in.  This turned out to be the trotter “Bobby”.  Of course, he came home with me and I’ve spent the last 10 months having a terrific time training him.  He was more of a challenge with his canter work but is now established and jumping as well.  He also appears on John and Linda O’Leary’s “Training the Standardbred” DVD so he really is a superstar !!

Having experienced a big standardbred I wanted another one – maybe one just for pleasure!!??  Enter the Lodge and Portsea Blue.  I’ve now had him for 2 weeks and he is a wonderful, placid, boy.  He was unbroken (to saddle) and that was great as I was ready for my next challenge.  So far I’ve done some ground work with him and he’s had a saddle on his back with no dramas whatsoever.  What a gem!!

So after all this rambling – many, many thanks go to Renae and Jon.  They have provided me with 2 exceptionally wonderful horses and what they do is fantastic.  These horses deserve a life after the track just as the TBs and if by all of us happy standardbred owners spreading the word, we may change the reputation they have and save many more from the unmentionable. 

I can already see myself heading to the Lodge again at some point in the future (hope hubby is not seeing this!!)

THANKS RENAE AND JON

Remember Poppy? He is now enjoying his new home near Gawler River. His new owner is signing his praises, just more proof that one doesn't need to spend thousands to get a genuine equine partner...

Hi renae, I hope everything is going well with your new baby!!
Poppy is doing well! He has settled in beautifully! He has made some new friends, and is especially fond of the minis! I started off doing some ground work with him, letting him get used to my voice and the way I interact with him before I hopped on him, but I didn’t need to.- He was a dream to ride!!
I have had poppy now for around 3 weeks and not once has he bitten, kicked, reared, bucked or anything else you can think of! He is a wonderful horse and I am so glad that you gave me the opportunity to have him.
He now knows his way around the place, and has made himself quite comfortable. He is a dream to ride out on the roads, and I hope to take him to chase the ace in July!

I have discovered that Poppy loves carrots!! I think food in general actually, but carrots are his favourite! He has quite a few quirky habits that I adore about him, one being sticking his tongue out at dinner time and slobbering all over his muzzle!!!
He is the kind natured- most placid horse I have met, and I am so grateful that you brought us together.

Thank you-

Kristen.

Mandy sent her horse to us for retraining after purchasing her direct from the trainer... She wanted a quiet horse to ride.. Then Delta got off the float.. meet.. "Mission Impossible" or so she thought.. 

Mandy writes:

Danielle purchased Jake from us about 5 months ago unseen as a 2yo (see "Happy Endings Page") She Writes:

Hi i would like to write a testimony for the testimony page.
This is my boy Jake and one of the photo's is him and his BFF (best friend forever) Eden an old pacer they cant be apart. Jake is now living in Sydney and sadly got the horse flu, it was pretty scary but he bounced  back to full health, he is so sweet and i love riding him ( but had to stop for 50days till he was over the flu). i love it when he races around the paddock  with the tiniest pony and he makes me laugh when he takes off to chase birds and his horse ball. He love his food and will stand on top of you to get it and love his hay. He is so smart and one night he worked out where the feed shed was and someone (so wasn't me) didn't lock the door and he gladly ate hay and sweet bulk, a bit of chaff but still he opened a door to get in now thats smart i was worried he would get colic but  he was fine  that person (so wasn't me) learn't  their lesson  aways  lock the door and gates  because horses have brains too.

I would love to thank Aylesbury Lodge for this great horse i couldn't be anymore happier or prouder of him Thank you; Danielle and Jake

Karen Writes:

Dear Renae and Jon

I have written a testimonial on how I came to find your website.  I hope it isn’t too long but I wanted to share my reservations, anxieties and joys with those people who are still looking for the ‘ideal horse’ for themselves or their family.  Your expertise in matching King with his owner/rider enabled us to own the ‘right horse’ for our family.  We are all doing fabulously and love going for a ride together, one on King with others on bikes or on foot. If the weather is too windy we just take him out for a walk.  He really looks for our company.   Even our little 4 year old sat on him the other day.  I will send some photos and keep you updated with our journey with this magnificent animal.

Warmest regards

Karen J

Happy Endings..….my story is one of a long journey in search for the right horse for my husband, my children and I.  You may have read the other happy endings and testimonials on Aylesbury’s website just like I did.  It all sounds wonderful on the website but like me you may have wondered ‘Mmmm, is it all for real?’ Yet they are all real testimonies from people that have purchased a horse/s under the caring guidance of Renae & Jon!  Renae and Jon love their horses. They say things as they are and want what is best for rider and horse.  They have the ability to make you feel as though you have known them for sometime with the result that you can be at ease and trust them completely.

I am a middle aged novice who, thanks Renae and Jon, now owns a beautiful Standardbred who is just a gentleman J whether we are riding him or just being with him.  Whatever our abilities, or lack of, he is wonderful.  I have a bond with him which I have never experienced with such a graceful animal. 

A good friend suggested keeping an eye out for a SB as most are known for their loving temperament and they have also been handled a lot.  I started looking but had difficulty finding the right horse for me, people not being honest or just wanting to sell a horse to get rid of it! I was starting to give the idea of owning a horse away!  My friend encouraged me by saying, ‘Be patient, the right horse will come along just for you!’  Well that was just before I stumbled across Aylesbury Lodge’s website.  Wow! Was I excited to see the ad for the type of horse I was looking for, and in my price range! 

I needed to make a decision then and there, as the ad stated! What do you do when you have no experience of buying or owning your OWN horse!  So I emailed Renae and explained my good and bad experiences with horses in the past, including my riding abilities, or lack of! I told her I needed a horse that was good around children and a little dog, and be quiet enough for older children to ride. Virtually the ‘perfect’ horse. 

Renae was very prompt to reply.  I was nervous but very excited and rang her immediately. Renae listened to my story and she asked a few questions in regards to my experiences.  I found she listened intently to make sure the match of rider/owner and horse was correct.  She said that King would be the ideal horse.  “He is a sook and loves to be with people.  But best of all, he’s quite happy to be on his own when out and about. Bombproof (very bombproof).” There was another horse I enquired about but Renae suggested he wouldn’t be suitable for our needs.  I was truly amazed how they knew the characters of all the horses at the Lodge.

We talked for quite sometime and I listened to her advice and information.  Renae helped me through my anxieties and I asked her questions.  For example; ‘What if King and I aren’t suited?’ ‘What happens if I bring King home and he turns out nasty?’.  She replied ‘Jon and I will help you when you come to Aylesbury Lodge.  We will give you tips to look after him as well as riding him too’.  There is also follow up care once the horse is at his new home.  This is a terrific service they offer (for free), they weren’t going to sell me a horse, take the money and leave me work things out on my own!  They actually care about you and the horse.

It is over 3 weeks since we have King at home, his nature is still loving and I find he is only getting better! I have been trying to spend time out in the paddocks with him just to be with him to strengthen the bond we have. I enjoy just watching him move around me as I work in the yard or paddock and I am learning everyday his little idiosyncrasies.  It is truly a joy for us all to own King, a beautiful Standardbred.  I have and will continue to recommend Aylesbury Lodge to anyone looking for a horse/s. It is a worthwhile to make an appointment and take a trip to see these two people in action with their horses.  Hopefully one day we will buy our second Standardbred from there too.  I am glad that I have been introduced to this wonderful breed.

Thanks Jon & Renae for your patience, time, hospitality, talking straight and giving support to ensure we have the horse that is right for us and is fully settled into his new home.  This is my story and now I understand and believe other peoples happy endings and testimonials!

From one very content and happy horse owner

Karen

have just purchased my first horse.

Lisa & Grace O'Conner Write:

Nikki From Roxby Downs bought Franco unseen.... she writes:

This magnificent beast is “Franco no fear”he is 17hh and was bought from the lodge I found Renee and Jonathan to be very caring and understanding people who love all their horses. What you see and are told is how the horse is if not better than described.  No other place I have come across offers the on going support (on the forum or phone) than the lodge. There horses are loved by all who buy them. If I get another horse it will be from here as I know what I am getting. Have and will refer them to all who are looking for a horse. This is my 9 year old on her 1 ride ever I had the confidence to let here ride by her self as you can see she is a beginner

Debra Writes:

 Hi Renae and Jon,

I have sent you a photo of Banjo (aka The Puppetmaster) and my 6 year old
daughter Isabella. This photo was taken after a long ride on the roads.
Banjo looked after Bella and was a true gentleman, he does not mind her
climbing on a bucket to groom him and to put on his bridle and saddle. He
loves her and happily plods along with his little mistress. though Bella did
get frustrated because he did not want to trot at first and he kept looking
back to see if she was still there.

Bella wishes to say Thank you to you both for selling her a wonderful and
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL horse ever.

Best Wishes
Debra.

Marcia Writes:

Peppa is just fantastic.  She is a youngster who is very patient and willing to learn.  We do a lot of ground work and lungeing and she is always responsive and never has an attitude problem.  Our riding is coming along slowly but that suits the both of us as there is no rush and we have plenty of time.  She so responsive and smart I am now looking to teach her a few tricks so am just waiting on my books to arrive!  You and Jon were a great help with finding the right horse for me and it was certainly worth the wait for the right one to come along.  10 out of 10 for matching horse and rider! 

Hi Jon and Renae

Well, Abbey has been with us almost a week, and the verdict is... we absolutely love her! She has the loveliest nature and manners, gets on well with the kids and my daughter Emma's pony, Bubby. Emma is already saying, "When Abbey's my horse..." hmmmm, not sure where she got that idea from! It has rained on and off since Abbey arrived - a good omen I think!

I've taken Abbey on a short trail ride (which she though was terribly exciting!) and had a ride in the yards so far, and it felt great to be in the saddle again. Emma had fun translating Abbey's brand and finding out her details on the harness racing website. (For those who are interested in doing the same, the address is http://www.harness.org.au/index.cfm?p=f&id=/ausbreed/reports/ahrconline.htm - here you can type in your horse's brand number or racing name and find out exactly where they were bred, their pedigree and racing history if any, etc.).

Abbey is still getting used to all the 'farm stuff' like tractors, sheep, etc. - and learning that none of it is going to eat her when she walks past the sheds! But on the whole she has settled in really well and seems quite content.

So thankyou both - for the fantastic job you are doing saving these horses, and for choosing Abbey on our behalf.

Cheers,

Tracey Hoffrichter

Hey Renae,

Its nice to that 'Magic' is on your sales list. What a truly wonderful horse he was for us. Gentle, with the sweetest nature. I think he was the horse that convinced me that SBs could be so handsome. We did have to seel him on when my hubby decided not to ride. But nothing ever seemed to phase him. Unless dinner was late of course.!  LOL.

Cheers,

Jodie

Emily Writes:-

I love your site it is very pretty  and I love the information you have on  it.

Most of all I love  my new horse Caesat thanks again Renae and Jon I love my new best friend  he is going  great!!

Mum wants to get our  nest horse from you later this year.

Talk to you later,

Emily x x x

Nicole (Mum) Writes:-

I have just bought a great horse known as No Service NZ aka Roly for my daughter from Renae and Jon, Roly is absolutely  perfect.

Renae and Jon are great people who know their stuff and I will only be too happy to recommend them and to buy our next horse from them in the near future

Keep up the fabulous work guys