Track Up Equine

16/04/2025

A little late on the post, but wanted to share some wonderful pictures by at the dressage day the other weekend.

Fig Tree always puts on such amazing shows and it was great that they offered a 'Members Protocol Day' that I took full advantage off. We had some wonderful advice from their guest judge, some great comments about Fella, and tried our hardest to apply the tips on the day.

Admittedly our scores weren't the best, but I felt a lot of change in Fella and have some goals to work towards for future comps! I couldn't have been happier with my boy or the tests (even though I did have my first 'error of test' in a few years, sack the jockey!)

Next stop our first ODE of the year!

11/04/2025

You don't have to be a professional to ride like one!

Professional Amateurs, Amateur Professionals.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve been lucky to spend a lot of time shadowing some of the best coaches in the world, and watching how the best riders in the world train and work with their horses.
Officially, the difference between an amateur rider and a professional rider is that one rides for pleasure and one rides for payment - but I’m a massive believer in that amateur riders can ride like professionals.

The key differences:

1️⃣ Stay in the moment.. Amateurs are led by emotion vs Professionals are led by logic.

2️⃣ Choose your hard.. Amateurs want it to feel good/easy now, which can make for hard later down the line vs Professionals will work hard now with the hope it’ll make the next ride easier.

3️⃣ Setting yourself up for success.. Amateur riders usually wait for an opportunity vs Professionals create opportunities, they make things happen.

4️⃣ Pilot/passenger.. Amateurs are usually led by the horse vs Professionals lead the way.

5️⃣ Forward thinking.. Amateurs are usually 1 step behind the horse, or the course, vs Professionals are usually 2 steps ahead.

6️⃣ Ready4Trouble.. Amateur riders start to anticipate an issue vs Professionals acknowledge there may be an issue, are ready for it, but stick to the plan until it happens.

7️⃣ A good dressage judge.. Amateur riders tend to sit on a 6.5 pressure scale (not enough when needed, too much when not needed) vs Professionals will go up to a 9 and down to a 3.

8️⃣ Subtlety.. Amateurs will often use 1 big aid, wait, then apply 1 big aid vs Professionals will continuously be working the power, balance and softness every stride.

9️⃣ Expectation.. Amateurs will often settle for ‘good enough’ vs Professionals will always strive for 1 better.

🔟 Balance.. Amateur riders will be dependant on the horses balance vs Professionals will be completely independent.

1️⃣1️⃣ Stick to the plan. Especially XC and with young horses, Amateurs will try to put the horse on the line and go with them vs Professionals put themselves on the line, and bring the horses with them.

1️⃣2️⃣ Reaction time. Timing of an aid is critical, by the time an Amateur has applied an aid or corrected a mistake, Professionals will have already moved onto the next thing.

1️⃣3️⃣ World Class Basics. Horses learn by repetition, often we think as you go up the levels it’s all about fancy movements and jumping big jumps, but 90% of the time Professionals will continuously be chipping away at the basics.

I asked Chris Bartle last year what makes the guys at the top so good, and he said ‘in the moment, they are willing to do what is necessary, not what they would like to do’.

A BE90/100 rider that has a full time office job outside of horses can ride like a professional, whilst still riding for pleasure (and I’m lucky to work with lots of them).
Having 20 horses in your yard does not make you a professional.

👊🏽
‘That makes you look like an amateur’
‘You rode that like an absolute pro’

31/03/2025

Look at Richie (formerly Richard) and his new owner Rebecca taking on their first dressage comp together! This partnership has been together for less than 6 months and is already doing some great things! Richard loves his new farm family (complete with some goat companions) and has been out and about at training and fun days before this comp. Safe to say he is well loved 🥰
I absolutely love following along with the horses I re-home, seeing their journey as they grow and build relationships with their new owners. OTTBs are capable of so much and its wonderful to see riders give them and chance and allow them to shine.
Thanks Rebecca for sharing your stories and taking such great care of Richie!

30/03/2025

Slow and steady wins the race 🐌
I was hoping I could say I braved the rain and less than ideal roads to get to this weekend, but I elected to pull Fella for safety reasons. The roads were crap (we got 40mm here Friday and 80mm here Saturday) and due to Fella pulling a shoe we weren't able to train all week.
Could he have done it? Yes
Should he have done it? No
I believe in treating my horses fairly and with compassion, if I don't think they are fit enough or ready for whatever reason, I will eat the cost of the entry, which isn't cheap, to save them for another day.
We simply weren't fit and ready to compete at our best and the only thing that would have hurt is Fellas confidence.
My horses try their hardest because I don't give them any less. It's a partnership.
So this weekend we hand grazed them and lunged lightly (arena was too boggy for a proper ride).
So next weekend I'll have my horses fit and happy to work/compete.
Ask yourself, are you being fair to your equine partner? Slow and steady will get you there faster than pushing up and through.

Message me today about lessons, equine biomechanics & groundwork, ridden work and nutrition.

03/03/2025

🌀 Cyclone Alfred 🌀

We have a flood free yard with a small shelter available in Brookfield in case anyone still needs a safe place. The shelter base can get a little damp, but it's safe!

As an experienced vet nurse that lives on the property I'm also happy for a horse that may have some medical needs to come if they need a safe place.

PM me if you're still looking and I hope everyone stays safe 🤗

03/03/2025

With Cyclone Alfred approaching SEQLD it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst. Make sure you AND your horses/animals have safe shelter/environments, water, food, medications, and any thing else you may need to either shelter in place for a few days or evacuate quickly.
Don't wait until it gets bad to try and evacuate either, flood waters are dangerous and not worth trying to tow through.

Stay safe and dry 🤗

02/03/2025

For all the good arena work and discipline is, sometimes you just have to go bush and do something different. Go off the beaten path, make some mistakes, have fun and just enjoy the moment.
Every moment you ride you "train", even unintentionally.
Today Bella needed a mental break from the arena and I thought it was a good day to work with Freddie out of the arena (especially with a horse leaving him and coming back and cantering by - thoroughbred brains sometimes get the better of these moments.)
So what resulted was some informal "training", having fun, building confidence and just enjoying our horses. Not a bad day for the ponies and their riders
Remember riding is a journey, not a destination.

21/02/2025

Busy month past and busy month ahead, but super excited for what the future can bring!
Currently working towards my EA coaching and getting paperwork in place to hopefully be a QOTT retrainer 🤞 all while working as a Vet Nurse Manager 😎 and trying to upskill my vet tech skills.
Not going to lie, a little nervous about these steps, but really excited for what the future may bring. Hopefully more off the trackers in my future!!

14/01/2025

First workout of the year under our belts.
I know we are a little late to get started this year, but between being out of the country for the first week then rider illness and pony lameness we had to pause on our starting timeline. But Fella is looking good, shiny, healthy, and very eager to move those legs 🫣
Unpopular Opinion - I think riders shouldn't jump right back into training what they were after an extended break (like summer or winter spells). I know everyone is excited to "kick goals", go to clinics, and get out competing, but we have to be conscious that horses lose fitness just like we do (and when we don't ride regularly we lose fitness too!). So both you and your horse are likely out of shape, so take it easy on your initial training until you've regained some fitness .
Ask for less collection, jump lower heights, train for shorter periods, offer more breaks, etc.
If you jump right back into where you left off with no building up, at best you'll have a sore horse (and rider) and at worst you'll cause an injury.

So do your horse, and yourself, a favour going into this next competition season - take it easy. Going slow will get you to where you want to be, enjoy the journey and train the horse you want for tomorrow, not the one you have today.

06/12/2024

Look at this handsome boy 🥰

Freddie (Holy Roman Emperor × Our Fire and Ice - aka Ella, Fella's sister) had his first outing since retiring from the racing life 3 months ago. We went out to my favorite place to just learn to hang out and walk around the arena, no goals, no deadlines, no pressure.
Everyone has their own process of retraining off the track horses depending on their aim, but I have found the best way to set them up for success in the future is to take as much time as they need now.
All of mine get at least 2-3months let down/no pressure work to just figure out how to be a horse. During this time I do a lot of in hand work, light lunging, ground work, etc. I find it helps shift their brain from race mode, and I want them confident with understanding they have a new job before I even get on their back.
Freddie is now in the stages of learning to use his body in hand and doing some strengthening/stretching exercises from before I hop on. At the end of the day my goal is a happy, healthy, confident horse that can go on to be the best equine partner ❤️
I cant wait to see how far Freddoe goes 💕

25/11/2024

A good reminder that it is progress over perfection (something I have to remind myself of as well during my rides)

Mistakes are an inevitable part of horse riding and training, and they hold value far beyond the moments of frustration they might bring. Each misstep—whether it’s an uneven transition, a missed cue, or a wonkey movement is a lesson in disguise. Dressage, at its core, is not about perfection; it’s about partnership, growth, and the pursuit of harmony between horse and rider.

When you make a mistake, it’s a sign that you’re pushing boundaries, trying new things, and daring to improve. A perfect test teaches you little, but an imperfect one offers countless opportunities to learn and strengthen your connection with your horse. Mistakes are not failures; they are stepping stones to mastery.

Even the most experienced riders stumble at times, and every grand prix champion began with unsteady circles and uncertain hands. What sets them apart is not flawless performance but their ability to embrace errors, reflect on them, and come back stronger.

So, when you make a mistake in dressage, take a deep breath. Smile, pat your horse, and remind yourself that every journey worth taking has many moments that are imperfection. Progress isn’t about never falling; it’s about riding with a better understanding each time you do.

22/11/2024

Are you looking for an experienced rider to come work with you and your horse?
Need some extra hands for an injury or illness your horse is dealing with?
Feel confused by all the feed and supplements in the shop and just want your horse to look 100%

Get in contact today 0468 764 285 and we can work on a plan to help your equine partnership no matter your struggles or goals.

17/11/2024

Alvin trying to be sun smart ☀️on our first sunny day of the week (after 100+mm of rain)

12/11/2024

The best physio around, great for working both on horse and in her studio!

The Eventing Physiologist is now open in DAYBORO.
Currently offering Exercise Physiology and rider specific strength and conditioning services on Tuesdays and Fridays from our studio.

To book an appointment call or message 0412208092 or private message me!

Exciting expansions coming over the next few weeks and months. Watch this space…. 👀

02/11/2024

RICHARD HAS FOUND A NEW HOME 🥰

Wishing him all the best in his adventures with his new owner up in Gympie 💕

Richard is still looking for his forever home! Currently in full work and going out competing regularly 🥇

Richard (Rich Doctor) is a 2018 gelding by Rich Enuff, roughly 15.3/16hh and stocky.

Richard has been off the track since January of 2023 and given a full year of let down to grow and get stronger. He has been in full work since Feb of this year

Currently training/competing Prelim dressage and beginning our lateral work. Soft in the bridle and responsive to the leg, but not too forward/rushy - a perfect combo of woah and go! Very clever to work with and picks up on exercises quickly. Nice movement and has a lovely rocking canter.

We have done a heap of cross training in order to build confidence and strength - show jumping, xc schooling, trail rides, etc. Ridden in a variety of venues, in clinics, open areas, along the road, trails, and arenas. He is the same horse out and about as he is at home.

He is a gem to trailer, self loads and happy to stand by the trailer all day. Good to shoe, tie, clip, groom, bathe, etc.

Although I've taken Richard out over xc fences and show jumping, I think he would be better suited to dressage or working equitation.

With all the good things Richard has, it is worth noting he is still learning how to use himself properly and his training has primarily focused on rhythm and relaxation. So would benefit from continued training and lessons.

He isnt a spooky horse, but he is looky (he's a 6 year old ottb 🤷‍♀️). No bite, buck, bolt, rear or vices.

To note he does has scarring on his left eye from an old ulcer as a yearling (cleared by vets and doesnt bother him).

Richard is best suited to an knowledgable thoroughbred owner/home due to his age- not a beginners horse, but would suit an intermediate or advanced level rider.

Asking 5🥕🥕🥕, negotiable to the right home (he is still owned by his breeders and lives on property with them so he is a well loved pony).

Located in SEQLD

*Videos in comments*

24/10/2024

Gotta love a good thoroughbred 🤗

10/10/2024

Mental Health Awareness - Something that is near and dear to my own heart

On Mental Health Awareness Day, take a moment to take stock of where you are and how you feel. Recognise and remember all those connections that have been in your life, are still in your world, and have yet to come in. Reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers and remind them that you are here, that we are all in this together, and the best way to make it through each day is with each other.
Each person you meet is going through a battle you may know nothing about - kindness and understanding are free.
If anyone ever needs anything, my door is always open. And I will do my best to remind each and every one of you how amazing you are 💙💚