Macedon Equine Connections

12/05/2024

Welcome to the team Rocky (Llangollen Cartier) ❤️ Rocky is a Jack of all trades - he's done pony club, lead rein, showing and most importantly, he's an expert in teaching children how to ride! He may not be the fastest pony in the West, but he's the safest and will join us for pony parties and lessons. A massive thank you to Alisha and Richelle Portelli for parting with their special pony, he will have a home for life here and I know he's going to be loved and spoiled by many.

09/05/2024

Unfortunately our favourite Barbie Pony, Ella has done a serious tendon injury and will be out of action for 6 months. She will be on box rest for another month or so and will then be moved to a tiny yard. She will undergo another ultrasound in August to see how things have progressed. I encourage all of our regular clients to bring a carrot or apple and give her a cuddle because things must be pretty boring without her little sidekick Phoenix to boss around.

27/04/2024

Just a quick update to let everyone know that my surgery went well - I've had a c7 replacement and also some bone spurs shaved down, so I may just go beep the next time I go through airport security! I'll be out of action for quite some time, so Holli and Rachel are looking after things on the farm. I'll also be taking some well deserved time out during my recovery and will be heading to the warmth of a European summer, where I'll be visiting some Equine Therapy establishments to gain further knowledge so we can introduce therapeutic experiences for children affected by anxiety, depression as well as those who are vision impaired. This is particularly close to my heart as my goddaughter is vision impaired and I would love to implement an 8-step program whereby she, and other children, can gain the confidence to brush, lead and ride a pony. Our tight-knit family team wishes everyone a healthy and happy few months, and I look forward to seeing all of my regular clients and some new faces when I return full time to the farm.

10/09/2023

Could not be prouder of Holli this weekend, taking both Phoenix and Casper out to Melton Showjumping. Both ponies were absolutely fantastic and foot perfect in the accumulator, with Phoenix taking out first and Casper second place. The double round saw both ponies jump clear the first round, and with Casper in the lead before Phoenix did his jump off round, we were in prime position. I told Holli to put the skates on, and in doing so, Phoenix jumped a bit flat on jump 1, taking out a pole! But went on to have a speedy and safe round. This unfortunately dropped him down to third but ensured Casper won. The overall result was Phoenix in Reserve and Casper as Champion F grade. Holli manages to make it look so easy on these quirky lads and definitely makes them better for the work she puts in. Both of these boys are available for lessons, pm for availability. Congratulations Holli, you are an asset to our team!

15/08/2023

Huge weekend for the ponies and our team of young students and riders. Saturday was Heathcote Winter Woolies where two of our youngest students ventured into the topsy ring for the very first time. Our new combinations, Ella & Cleo and Amelia & Ella had a fun filled day doing their first handler and rider classes, looking gorgeous in their little vests and matching hair bows, while Letty & Phoenix made a victorious return to the ring taking out the rider over 8 class thanks to some well sat pigroots courtesy of Phoenix being silly. The fancy dress class was HUGE and there were some seriously amazing costumes - which means we need to get out the janome and get cracking! All combos were awarded some great ribbons and are looking forward to the next time.
Sunday Holli took Phoenix and Ella to Bullengarook showjumping day. Ella wasn't her usual self and a decision was made to withdraw her from competition, so we knew Phoenix had to step up. And boy did he do just that! With three clear rounds and a cracking time in each one, they came home with the Champion Open F grade. This little guy can really bring it when he wants, you just need to avoid his gnashes as he may just take a nip at you when you least expect it. There aren't many pics of the jumping and none of the presentation due to the very late time it finished.
Well done to everyone involved - it was an exhausting weekend but made possible due to the help from the whole team. As their coach, I'm ever so proud that all of our riders were mature, kind to their horses and showed exceptional sportsmanship, even when things got a little spicy (Phoenix I'm looking at you) Thanks also has to go to my coach, Anne Hall who was on messenger to help me with my coaching on Sunday, so I could assist Holli the best I could. Without the help from everyone these days out wouldn't be possible. Enjoy some pics ❤️

11/08/2023

Ella and Phoenix are all primed for their showjumping day Sunday. Thanks Holli for your hard work - and good luck for Sunday. We didn't forget that Cleo loves a good jump too!

29/07/2023

Cleo the wonder pony (and Alison) having a jump with student Vera. Today's lesson included activities like 'stepping stones', 'round the world', and of course going over the jumps!

26/07/2023

Couple of pics of Ella and Phoenix jumps training and getting ready to do a showjumping comp in a couple of weeks. They look like they're enjoying themselves!

23/06/2023

Well folks, that's us officially on holidays! We're heading to Bali to escape the cold and will be back and ready for lessons on Saturday 8th July. Hopefully all of the ponies also enjoy their break and will be raring to go when we start up again. We've got one spot left on Saturday arvo at 3:45pm and a few spots in the morning on Sunday 9th. Cleo, Phoenix, Ella and Casper will be available. For those who have already booked in, Alison will confirm times via text.

06/04/2023

In other news - Monty and I made this months Horse Deals magazine! Dreamscope Photography were at Werribee to capture the amazing horses at the National Heavy Horse Festival. It was a somber weekend due to the tragic passing of Kristin and later Max Marriot who were champions of the Clydesdale breed and great supporters of all of the heavy horse shows. All of us who competed that weekend were very aware of the weight of emotions felt by everyone, and it was such a selfless act on behalf of the family and organisers to go ahead with the show despite the circumstances. As owners of rare, heavy breed horses we know we struggle to get recognition for the hard work we do to ensure we compete at our very best and showcase what our amazing heavies can do. I am truly honored to have made Horse Deals for this showcase, and I have to thank all of those who were involved with getting Monty and I there and competing at our very best.
Michelle Leigh for making the unbelievable outfit that is shown in this photo.
Damien Munro from Macedon Ranges Equine & Canine Therapy has worked with me to get Monty in peak condition
Anne Hall for being an amazing coach and confidant
My parents - they didn't realise 30 years ago that I'd be still riding, let alone being a coach to juniors, making children's birthday dreams come true by providing unicorns, cowboys, superheroes for their birthdays
My poor suffering husband who has to black-it hooves, whiten feathers, and clean my boots!
Without all of my team, we simply wouldn't get there, and definitely wouldn't be impressive enough to make Horse Deals!!
May our 'Team Monty' success continue.

Check out the April issue for gallery coverage from the National Heavy Horse Festival, brought to you by Dreamscope Photography.
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April issue, on sale now 🐴
🔍 Find a stockist: horsedeals.com.au/magazine
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02/04/2023

Monty and I weren't the judges choice at last weekends CCSHA show in Tonimbuck, however as I'd already asked Abigail to do a junior handler class and a junior rider class on Monty, I decided to throw her in the deep end and have her do the Walk/Trot section on the ridden day. Not only do I have to thank her parents for trusting that I have coached her well enough to handle such a big horse, but also to Monty for looking after her so well in her very first competition under saddle.
Abby has only had about 12 lessons all together and only ridden Monty 4 times all up, and if I'm honest, at 17.3hh he's a massive horse that would easily intimidate most people. Not Abby. She trusted that Monty would look after her and went in the ring against adults as well as some juniors and boy did they do a spectacular job! As part of her massive ribbon haul was a 2nd in Smartest on Parade, 2nd Heavyweight Exhibit, 2nd Working Hunter and a Reserve Champion in her rider class!!
I'm so so proud of her, there were some classes that had horses that were upset and difficult, but she remained calm and therefore so did Monty. I'm refusing to give up my horse, but for this weekend the student definitely did better than the coach!

02/04/2023

To say I'm proud of some of my students would be an understatement. Sisters Juliette and Abigail have been hitting the high notes in their first competitions under saddle over the last month, and have gained a level of confidence that has seen them both go up a gear with their training and even want to begin jumping!
Juliette and Phoenix looked fantastic for their Topsy Ring classes, taking home a haul of ribbons, with some of the most notable ones including a 2nd in Rider with the biggest smile, a 2nd in child handler leading a parent/guardian (poor phoenix wasn't impressed with me getting on) 3rd in most natural rider where she rode unassisted in her first ever competition, and finally an impressive 4th in the Fancy Dress against some very very cool costumes! Phoenix wasn't sure he enjoyed being dressed as Elvis, but the crowd certainly got behind him!
Thanks to the organisers who held the event many months after its original date that was postponed due to the weather. Thanks also to Shady Snaps for the gorgeous picture of Abby leading Letty for some of her classes.