New Horse Training

13/08/2023

Nanny Jethro, at your service

30/07/2023

If you choose horses over money, you'll always be rich in love ❤️

LOVE is the highest frequency... Always choose LOVE ♥️

27/07/2023

What does heaven sound like to you?

25/07/2023

Just cruising along on a trail with Archie 💚 so confident and uncomplicated 💚

24/07/2023

Just because you didn't make the cut for racing, doesn't mean you aren't destined for greatness ❤️

As the horseracing industry looks to focus on life after competing, Dean Saxon is giving rejected racehorses a new and brighter future.

15/07/2023

When you take a thoroughbred on, from the race track, you have to be on high alert for all signs of discomfort the horse displays while he adjusts to his new role. They typically get a bout of ulcers, tend to have thin soles and do better staying shod. They need time to adjust to a lesser pace of work load, less grain in their feed and more time hanging out with other horse buddies. This generally causes stress because they are routine animals and the regularity of their schedule, keeps their busy minds stimulated. They are often given medication while racing to suppress any pain signals their body may give out, ulcer prevention medications for their stressful job and even sedation before outings, so it's only natural for them to struggle while they adapt to a new lifestyle. This comes as part of the package with my program, during this transition period of training. I believe they still require a relaxed feeding routine and very basic exercise, while they let down to reassure them that they are still receiving 5* care. They do cost money of professional services while they transition but they have so much heart to give and have often been exposed to so many things that they take to most disciplines with ease. If you'd like to have a chat about any horses I get in, please don't hesitate to ask. I run a full background check on my horses, their trainers and general backlog of farrier work, dental work, massage and any other therapies given. They start on 3 working sessions a week, working out way up to 5 days a week. Which consists on one schooling activity, one pole work session, a 'naked' lunge session, a trail and a working lunge session. I like to take them off property to clinics and really get a feel for where they're best suited so that I can assure they go on to be a valued members of your family and you can enjoy all they have to offer ❣️

14/07/2023

I have started up having regular dressage lessons again 🥰

I've had some time off, due to having a baby and my coach also moved away. I struggled to find the time and the right coach. I always strive to better myself, so that I can add that knowledge into working with the many horses that come through my gate 😊 I particularly like the intense light bulb moments that come with training dressage and the smaller moments where I feel the horse pick up what I'm asking and enjoy feeling great in their bodies and minds. To see/feel a horse express themselves through their work is my idea of art 🎨🎭

If you are interested in having a logical, creative and flexible training session for your horse, wherever they're at in their journey. Please do get in touch 💌

13/07/2023

Some transition work on my own personal horse, Boxer

He is my once in a lifetime horse, who has a great work ethic and great natural abilities. He's been beautifully produced, coming from an impressive sj background to keeping me on my toes and holding my hand as we prepare to compete in dressage

As you can see, he is incredible ❣️

Send a message to learn more

12/07/2023

Archie has now joined the team 🥰

Lottie has fallen in love, so he's become a foster fail 😂 he needs to put some weight on, strengthen his core and build some Topline but he has the kindest nature and the calmest head for an off the track. Excited to watch him blossom 🌸

12/07/2023

Sweet baby, Lilo

09/07/2023

My happily ever after 💖

09/07/2023

Being a ranch baby is hard work 😍😴

04/07/2023

Cute 🥰

01/07/2023

If you've been following Pixi's journey she is now up for sale. She has been wonderful to work with showing huge potential to be a first ridden with more miles under her belt. She has been so quick to pick up the vocal requests on the lunge and very willing under saddle. She is a great leadline pony, taking everything in her stride. Happily goes over poles, puddles, been round farm machinery, a bustling agistment centre, great with fencing and easy to handle. Great with farrier, great to catch and a beautiful temperament to match. Please feel free to message/share if you're looking

29/06/2023

A wonderful article for when you can't see a way through, to then seeking the help suited to finding a better match 💙

A long time ago, I wrote an article for Eventing Connect called ‘Quitting to Win’. My wonderful boss at the time Tracy Giesler allowed me to write with a completely free hand, and so I did. This piece got the most views and shares of anything I have ever written. It is a chapter in my book- (the book is a collection of previously published articles written by me, so I never feel I can state that I WROTE A BOOK per se. ‘Myself and my much more talented best friend shoved together a publication of sh*te I had previously spouted’ is more accurate.)-and I’m going to share it with you here.
I hope you enjoy meeting ‘Ted Bundy horse’ 😁

Chapter 22

Quitting to win.

The world is full of incredible examples of triumph over adversity, of sacrifice and of unimaginable effort and dedication. From their first days through to their finest hours, athletes, refugees of war and Wall Street bankers all have their inspiring stories to tell. The sporting world is no exception, and the eventing world in particular is full of tales of those who COULDN’T, but who somehow still DID. There is a unique and much admired toughness attached to the people involved in this game. Boyd Martin,Shane Rose,William Fox-Pitt and even Michael Jung are just a few of the many available case studies, that can demonstrate how digging deep and never ever quitting will reap its own reward. For these riders, performing superhuman feats of endurance is just a thing that you do. The only problem with aspiring towards this approach to our equestrian pursuits is that occasionally, we forget that quitting or giving up on a thing can sometimes be the best solution.

We somehow all seem to want to be the rider that manages to wrestle with some feral gnu of a horse on a daily basis, and who calls it a victory when there are no blood wounds and nobody died. Lots of us fondly imagine that our unique and individual approach-sculpted from many years of the life so**my that is horses-will be the method that transforms a lethal train wreck horse into an Olympic athlete. Most professional riders are very quick to identify the horses that are not worth persevering with, and the passage of time lifts the scales from the eyes-no matter how talented a horse is, he is useless unless he is willing to find a way to work with you. Riders just setting out on their journeys in the sport are quite often found riding sensible and genuine horses who might not set the world alight, but who will give their riders a valuable and safe education on the good days and also the bad. So what goes wrong in the middle?

Eventing is a hardcore sport, no one would disagree. It is also a cripplingly expensive way to pass the time. Riders with a few miles on the clock and an eye on the long game seem to be the perfect target for 'those' horses. You know the ones. The horses that 'find' you. Sort of like stray cats. The category choice of 'those' horses is quite large. There are the off the track thoroughbreds, which are often affordable and tend to look athletic and sharp. These horses cause prospective purchasers-with heads full of Neville Bardos and Summon Up The Blood-to go weak at the knees. There are the obscenely talented horses with either absolutely no brain whatsoever, or those who are Ted Bundy reincarnate, that we just KNOW we can sort out and make good. There are horses that are too big, too strong, not brave enough or not really sound. There are horses that won't listen, won't try or that try too hard. The main weapon in a professional rider's arsenal is to be able to get on a large number of horses and to inspire those horses to want to perform to the best of their ability for their rider. However, those of us riding and competing a far smaller number of horses which we also prop up with our day jobs, tend to take a slightly more personal approach. We end up trapped in the script of the film 'National Velvet'. A little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing. And so the trouble begins.

We find ourselves in possession of the next Olympic superstar. Sure he has his difficulties but oh wow! Look at him trot! We have a little more time to invest in Ted Bundy horse than the top riders do. We are tough and determined riders, and we can cope with equine arial acrobatics and any wilful resistance. We anticipate building a bond with this horse that is SO STRONG, that he will go through the fires of hell for us in a headcollar just because we asked him to. It becomes so personal and so emotionally intricate and we believe in this horse with all that we have, even when the evidence to support that belief is frankly lacking. Somehow, our undying and unfailing faith will be the magic key that unlocks the door, and sculpts this unsuitable animal into a sub 20's double clear machine that Michael Jung himself will beg you to ride. We just get so.....blind? Before long, you find yourself slightly dreading your impending dressage lesson on Ted Bundy horse, and feeling like its a victory when he didn't buck you off. Again. You don't want to take him for a hack, because he intimidates other road users and he can't cope if it's windy. You don't really want to go cross country schooling, because Ted Bundy horse takes on an Exocet missile-type quality in a wide open space, and you can't for the life of you find a bit strong enough or a process safe enough to stop him. You aren't enjoying showjumping anymore, but if you manage to trot around the 2'6" class and stay in the actual arena-perhaps even jump some of the fences-well then it has been a good day. You lose sight of the supposed bigger picture intended for Ted Bundy horse, because the everyday goals are such a traumatic ordeal to achieve. However, you can't quit now! He's your dream horse and he will take you places! It would be unfair and disloyal to stop.You are best friends......

If this sounds familiar, then you have GOT to STOP. You have got to realise that it is absolutely right and proper to put your needs and requirements ahead of those of Ted Bundy horse. It is ok to say "This isn't what I had expected, and it is making me miserable". It does NOT mean that you have failed, or that you are not good enough or tough enough. It is not a poor reflection on you at all. Riders need to be quite honest with themselves. This sport costs so much money and it takes up so much of our lives, so is it not therefore a priority to find a horse that makes this sacrifice as pleasurable as possible? Does it really matter what he looks like or how he moves? And if you do still somehow end up with Ted Bundy horse, is it not more sensible to realise that he isn't for you? That perhaps he would be better suited to a different rider or even a different vocation? When you really look at this properly, you will see that you are not failing at all. You are in fact winning. You are making a decision that will improve your life. Chances are, taking the weight of Olympic expectation from the shoulders of Ted Bundy horse will be doing him a favour, too.

Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. There are the middle of the road riders who click with a nutter horse and who end up at Rolex. There are cheap lame horses who come sound and stay sound. There are horses who lack talent but who make up for it in heart and brain instead, achieving the unachievable. There are riders who improve immeasurably on one horse, only to fall apart on another. Overall though, we owe it to ourselves to be honest when things aren't working, and to be OK about deciding to make a change for the better when needed, without feeling guilty or hopeless. You have to pick to be happy, and that can mean learning to know when to let go. Sometimes you have to quit to win.

Written by Christa Dillon

(For anyone interested, the book is available on Amazon, in print and as an E-book. It is called ‘Red on the Right’.

27/06/2023

Two ears who you give you a limitless amount of time to ask the right questions and help guide you to find the answers. How do you problem solve with your horses?

26/06/2023

Today I invested in myself, my training and all of the horse's that cross my path. I was curious as to how I would fare in an hour long lesson and whether any bad habits had crept back in but I'm very happy to say there were a few minor adjustments, to then go on to have a very enjoyable lesson. Boxer was on point 👌 and gave me his all. I sit on his back and feel like he gently takes my hand, welcoming my soul back home 🏡 how do you feel after getting back from your ride?

22/06/2023

Today I got my big grey 🩶 boy out for a play in the arena. He is always very quirky to tack up so this often puts me off riding him as I have to guess whether it's pain related or just how he is. I've had him for over 4 years now and he's always been this way. However, once I'm on and he's warming up, he is an incredible ride with the best work ethic I have ever come across. He has been trained to a great standard and really makes me admirable for the amount of work put in to him and his ability to listen to my blunders and still perform to the best of his ability 🩶 horses are incredible. Their capacity to teach us is endless and I'm honoured that he is part of my journey on earth 🌍

18/06/2023

Walk, trot, canter off lead today. Happily going over poles and taking it all in. Lovely temperament from this sweet little mare 💜

16/06/2023

Lilo 💜

16/06/2023

So I've been backing and educating a lovely natured mare, Pixie 🧚‍♂️ she's incredibly sweet and willing. Taking to ridden work like a duck to water, it's like she's been there and done it all already 🥰

27/02/2023

28/01/2023

Cheese 🧀

27/02/2022

Dreamy skies

27/02/2022

Willow 💗💗

13/01/2022

☯️

04/02/2021

Another update on my first Aussie pony, Lottie. Absolutely smashing goals with her owner and I cannot wait to see them out this coming season 💖

15/12/2020

Dennis 💙💙

15/12/2020

Dennis out on trails this afternoon ❤️

15/12/2020

Ollie and I went to visit Santa tonight 🎅

30/11/2020

Then came this ever so handsome chunk!! A very well built standard bred with no racing history. At 14.3hh he is a very sort after size, with a temperament to match. Beautifully put together, excited to see his progress
Dennis 💚

30/11/2020

Something so satisfying about the sound of hooves on concrete

Ollie went for a stroll around the property today. Very mellow even if the wind was giving it some welly today 💙

29/11/2020

So here is the first horse in, for education and bringing on. He's a 15hh thoroughbred, who hasn't had any prep or race work. He's got such a pretty head and quiet temperament. Lovely size and we'll put together. Excited to see what he'll be suited for

28/11/2020

Have been a little quiet recently whilst looking for an area I can bring horses in, work them for client's and so on.....am excited to say that I have found a little gem in the heart of Carramar. As of 30th November my books are open for all of my listed service's.
My first horse in is a 15hh thoroughbred
Details to follow....

28/11/2020

Had a trail session with Elvis 🕺
He was an absolute super star
Went in to the lake after a little persuasion, rode past the strawberry farm with all the sprinklers going off and was a lovely ride out

13/09/2020

💜 lottie jumping 1m 2

13/09/2020

An incredible update on Lottie, competing in a 6 bar challenge and coming 2nd in the adults division, even though her owner is 10
So proud of this team, perfect match 💜💜

12/09/2020

12/09/2020

Here is my personal horse Boxer, strutting his stuff. We are working on clean transitions