Moonbah Performance Horses

04/09/2025

🦄 Woodside Anakin – Ultimate Schoolmaster for the Dressage & Showjumping Arenas 🦄

➡ 16.2hh dark bay gelding by JC Solomon out of Isle of Norwich
➡ 17 years young (October 2008)
➡ exceptional education in the dressage and show jumping arenas – a genuine schoolmaster ready to show his next rider the ropes

Woodside Anakin, or “Sooky” as he is affectionately known, has been a muchly treasured part of the extended MPH team for several years. Sooky is the dream boat kind of horse – with movement, presence and temperament all on his side.

From a dressage perspective, Sooky has competed to Novice level and is confidently training through his Elementary work with a lot of aptitude to continue forward (changes well on their way!). With his young rider, Sooky has plenty of scores into the 70s. I highly rate his trainability – in a relatively short time being in work with me he has continued to go from strength to strength. I have no doubts if he were to stay in the program, or continue with a rider who could provide similar support, a Medium level start could be on the cards in the not-so-distance future. He really loves to work with you.

Sooky is equally a dream in the showjumping arena, having previously competed up to 1.15m with his former owners. More recently he has been the perfect stepping stone for his young rider, taking her through to competing 85cm despite limited competition opportunities due to study commitments. They have schooled 90-100cm at home very comfortably. Even I (despite refusing to jump any horse that doesn’t belong to me) have popped him over a few jumps and I was very impressed by how genuine and patient he was while I dusted off considerable rust!

Sooky has shown us to be same horse wherever you go, in whatever conditions you throw at him – he has done all our NSW major venues with ease, is easy to travel with, floats well and is delightful to handle. He has done official competitions, interschools, pony club, miles of trails and was even borrowed for the 2024 Police and Emergency Services Games – pretty much you name it, he has done it! He will suit most confident young riders, and is absolute AOR dream material. He is a safe and fun horse who is a joy to have around. I would describe him as the type of horse that takes care of his rider extremely well but still expects them to do their job – so the more confident and enthusiastic you are about doing your job, the more he will give you in return.

This is a very sad sale, only due to his current rider’s time being limited with travel and study plans. He has so much to give another rider, and he just loves his job, so we want him to continue to have that opportunity.

💰 $25k – Sooky’s fitted Erreplus Freestyle Dressage Saddle is available to purchase separately
🎬 https://youtu.be/W6ck16W105g
📍 Quorrobolong NSW
📞 0438 137 231

02/09/2025

🌞 Back on the Road - September Lesson Runs 🌞

After all that rain (and wind), I'm very happy to be getting the show back on the road! My lesson days for the next month and ongoing are booked, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone (both familiar faces and new riders) out in the arena again. My availability has been limited lately, so it is a great chance to jump in while there are a few spots open.

Upcoming Areas:
➡ Quorrobolong / Mount Vincent / Mulbring
➡ Abernethy / Kearsley / Kitchener
➡ Clarence Town & surrounds (including Duns Creek & Maitland)
➡ Williamtown
➡ Singleton & Hunter Expressway corridor (Rothbury, Branxton, Greta, etc.)

For those who haven't met me yet - I am Olivia, a coach and rider specialising in dressage and working equitation, with a focus on biomechanics and wellbeing in the horse and rider partnership.

📩 Message to book your spot or find out more about routes and pricing.

19/08/2025

I find in the horse world that people love to use buzz words. The problem with buzz words is we get fixated on characterisation of fitting into these trends or practices or philosophies, and perhaps don’t actually delve into their origins, true characteristics or how they directly impact us in our unique circumstances.

I recall a conversation with a prospective client a couple of years ago and she was entirely fixated on which “school of dressage” and which “dressage master” do I follow in my training. My answer to her was, essentially, no one in particular. Of course I relate more heavily to some schools of thoughts and people than others, but in my opinion, we become good riders because we take pieces of information from many areas, analyse and experiment with them, and form our own idea based on what sits well with, and works well for, us.

My method of working with horses is unique to me, because it is an application of the information I have accessed and chosen to integrate into my work, and those I've chosen to leave behind, all based on my own unique life experiences and horses. Our methods are formed based on experimentation, growth, and finding our identity in the sport - meaning it is ever developing, and that things I reject now I may have integrated 5 or 10 years ago.

For instance, in my own circumstances, my training philosophies have been developed working with horses who often do not naturally carry the conformational traits that lend to modern dressage, whether by breeding or by injury. This means that to present my horses in the correct way of going, first must come a step of analysing the body and piecing together an understanding with the horse on how to utilise their bodies in particular ways, let go of postural traits that may hinder their development (and ultimately long term soundness), and become freer and more supple in their bodies.

I am a huge believer in coming to conclusions based on your own thoughts, experiences and understandings, and not to regurgitate information told to you as though it is black and white. We must write our own textbooks to training, and to that, there will be many editions as we grow as riders, meet new people, work with new horses and learn of new science and research.

11/08/2025

What can we learn from this relentless rain?

I think just like lockdown once taught me the valuable lesson that competitions should not define our training schedules or success, the rain has been teaching us another lesson lately.

The lesson I find is that progress does not always require an intense, perfectly planned program.

With the weather keeping our schedules inconsistent, our horses have been on lighter, less frequent training sessions. Yet... they continue to improve. In fact, I'd say they are more mentally fresh, more willing and more joyful in their work.

It is a good reminder that our role as riders and coaches isn't just to push for progress, but to foster it - to create space for our horses to stay mentally engaged, and for ourselves to avoid burnout. Sometimes the best thing we can give our training is a little breathing space, a little flexibility, and a little trust that we will remain on the right road.

07/08/2025

Not every lesson is about pushing forward.

Some of the most valuable lessons I ride in (and give) aren't about chasing something new - they are simply about recalibrating.

Yes, I am focused on education and advancement - developing my horses to higher levels, or diving into theory and biomechanics to grow my skills as a coach. But often the most important sessions I have are on horses working in territory I know really well, and I am not having the lesson to move up the training, I am having it to realign.

The reality is familiarity can turn into comfort, and comfort does quietly become stagnation, especially when working with a horse you've been on a rollercoaster with as we are just happy to find some peace and solidarity and are a little tentative to push forward in fear of losing that. So I set myself up for lessons to check in on that - they are not lessons to prove progress - but to reset, refocus and ask where to next from someone who can help me see it (thank you Closson Dressage for being those eyes on the ground and sounding board for me for many years).

I try hard to share this philosophy with my own clients, especially the ones who arrive to a lesson feeling a bit guilty because they haven't ridden much, or are ashamed they don't feel like they have progressed much since the last one. We can't always be on an uphill trajectory and we can't always know where the road is taking us next (or which road we should take).

But the truth is, there is no shame in being where we are, no matter where that place is. A good lesson isn't a test that you pass - it is support when you need it the most. Whether you are climbing the levels, stuck in a rut or trying to find your spark again - the support is there. You are allowed to show up when you just need a nudge, and a bit of loving support to get back home to riding for the joy again.

03/08/2025

Last weekend's working equitation comp gave me so many reasons to be proud - not just as a coach, but as a part of a community that is really showing up for each other.

Yes, we had some big wins and personal bests, and a few classic woops moments (like me totally missing the oilskin pick up and knocking it off instead... love that we have people who run in with mounting blocks to save you when you make these kind of boo boos 🙈). But what really stuck with me wasn't the results (nor the woops moments), but hearing and seeing how our crew supported each other. I heard of my riders encouraging each other to step up and give things a crack, offering tips and support when nerves kicked in. Everyone rallied together to get rounds filmed and photos taken, and in the back of every one of those videos are a cheer squad watching on!

I saw such a wonderful culture existing on the weekend, one that riders have banded together to build. It is one where no one rides alone, and success isn't actually about the results at all, but about growing together.

Just going through my collection of photos from the weekend (thanks media team!), I came across soooo many moments that capture that spirit - Leanne mid-rescue with the mounting block (spot me nearly eliminating myself 😳), Arianna and Mum on the cameras, and the cheer squad in the background.

What a community to be a part of! This sentiment goes to all clubs, but a special shoutout to my home team Montana's Run Working Equitation who set the standard for showing up as noticed by many! 💜🩵💜🩵 and to Hunter Working Equitation Inc. for hosting this mammothly positive weekend of competing, I see what you put into your riders and I love being a part of your days! 💚🩶

22/06/2025

SOLD - Gem has been claimed by the most lovely family. We can’t wait to follow their adventures!

💎 Gem by name, gem by nature 💎

➡ 16hh 6yo liver chestnut WB mare by Calgary GNZ by Warrego Jewel
➡ a truly versatile mare - competed prelimary dressage, Eva 80 eventing & 90cm showjumping – most recently been looking after her now 14yo rider since 2023
➡ safe, honest and very straightforward – Gemima, or Gem, has been the easiest visitor we have had in a loooooong time!

We are delighted to offer this lovely performance mare, “Belrieve Gem” for sale. Gem had a lovely start to her career competing under her breeders, with several successful Eva80 competitions under her belt up in QLD. She was even a finalist with her rider in the 2023 Eventing Queensland Annual Awards (the ‘Close to the Finish Rider & Horse’ award)! Gem also competed to 90cm showjumping, and some preliminary dressage competitions along the way including with her young rider.

Gem was purchased from her breeder by her young rider’s family in 2023 and has really looked after her rider as they commenced their horse ownership journey. Her training has been supervised, and assisted by, professional coaches/trainers throughout. Gem’s rider has been focusing on her own development in the dressage arena, and this has been the bulk of Gem’s work since in this home. She has done a lovely job allowing her young rider to learn and develop, given the focus has been on her rider, she has only really been training around preliminary but has excelled in every way while here (despite considerable inconsistency in our schedule due to the ridiculous rain) and I have no doubts with the correct guidance that she will happily advance.

Since arriving here, we have found Gem to be extremely no fuss in all ways. Everything is done with patience and calmness, she has shown me to be extremely forgiving, doesn’t get offended, and always willing to have a go. She has been perfect to prep for work, rug, wash (the type you can hose straight in the face), tie up (straight and cross ties), float, handle etc. She is very relaxed in the paddock, even without a horse in sight, and is a great doer. She is has been unaffected by her environment – including being very happy to ignore all high energy young horses who are carrying on loudly in the tie ups next to her on farrier day 🤦🏼‍♀️ and a huge bonus for such a fabulous teenager’s horse, she is completely the same after a break or in a light/inconsistent work schedule!

Gem presents a beautiful opportunity for a young rider or amateur owner to take on a very safe younger horse, whether that be in the performance sphere or staying focused on her dressage. She offers a lot in the sense of an interschools horse that will cover several disciplines. I would love to see Gem go to a rider who shares in her love for jumping, but in no way mandatory. I have videos available of her on XC for those interested.

A recent vet check including x-rays can be made available to seriously interested parties.

💰 $20k, price negotiable for the right home
🎥 https://youtu.be/JduMM2izea4 - jump/xc videos, and further training videos are also available
📍 Quorrobolong NSW
📞 0438 137 231en im

19/06/2025

Following a great working equitation competition last weekend, I can’t wait to be on the other side of it instructing at Hunter Working Equitation Inc.‘s training day this Sunday! I hope to see a few familiar faces there 🦄

https://www.nominate.com.au/equestdn/Event.aspx?e=4DCEBFBBF18A4A1087A9B14197E85DCF&eventlist=30