Anne's Riding & Training History

For as long as I can remember I have been passionate about horses in every way and began my riding career at five years of age.

All I ever wanted to do was to ride and my parents, who were initially not particularly horse people at that time, decided early on it was easier to give their blessing and support rather than try to dissuade me from my childhood love and what was ultimately to become my career. I am very thankful to them.

As a child I took twice weekly lessons at an accredited riding school in Dublin, Ireland where both of my Instructors were qualified BHSAI. (British Horse Society Accredited Instructors).

Anne aged 9 and Bubbles in Ireland
Anne aged 9 and Bubbles in Ireland

I was given my first pony at nine years of age and for the following three years I was a member of the Bray Pony Club near Dublin. During this time, I attended riding camps, hunter trials, show jumping days and gymkhanas where I attained my D and C Pony club certificates.

In 1974, at the age of twelve, I moved to Australia with my parents where I joined the Dandenong Ranges Pony Club.

I competed in Grade 3 and C Grade on a young horse “Mr Bo jangles” who was never going to be the superstar I dreamed of.

Some time later I found my superstar “Raphael”, and at the age of fifteen I transferred to Doongala Pony Club, at The Basin where I progressed to compete at Grade 1 and A Grade. There, I attained my K and B pony club certificates.

“Raphael” and I qualified for and won, the State Team Showjumping Championships held at the Royal Melbourne Show in 1978.

The winning team consisted of Clyde Jones, David Francis and myself. I also competed with “Raphael” at the Grade 1 Eventing Championships held in Bendigo.

Anne and Raphael
Anne and Raphael
Anne & Raphael at Royal Melbourne Show 1978
Anne & Raphael at Royal Melbourne Show 1978

I started competing EFA level show jumping at the age of sixteen, and upgraded “Raphael” to C Grade EFA. He was a brilliant junior horse. We won and placed at many of the larger agricultural shows, including Dandenong, where we were nearly landed on by a wayward parachutist as I was doing my jump-off. The brave “Raphael” just kept jumping!!

When he upgraded to C grade we would compete at C and B grade up to 5ft 6ins high in showjumping. He was one of the most honest jumpers I have ever ridden. He retired here in Macclesfield until he went to heaven some years later.

At seventeen, I started working full time for Mr. Ian McKinlay, a Victorian Racing Club trainer in Officer. My job requirements were: cleaning out stables, feeding, handling young horses, helping break in and exercise racehorses, and riding track work.

I travelled with the horses to the race meetings and was responsible for them at the track. I enjoyed working for Mr Mckinlay as his experience as a horseman was second to none. I learnt valuable breaking in methods which I still use today.

Some time later I began work at the Victorian Equestrian Centre (VEC) Upper Beaconsfield and my job requirements there were: cleaning out, feeding, preparing school horses, teaching clients, exercising and schooling client’s horses.

During this time, I obtained my Level 1 Instructors Certificate. This involved going to N.S.W. as the course was not available in Victoria. I trained with Chris Chugg and Andrew Inglis who have gone on with their horse careers. I was allowed to ride “Sky High” Chris’s famous jumping stallion during the training.

My next employer was Mr. David Price in Kallista, who had a yard of young horses, broodmares and showjumpers. I trained his showjumping horses, broke in and schooled young horses and was in charge of running the yard. We travelled extensively to all of the Victorian Agricultural Shows and Showjumping competitions, and I prepared and managed a team of up to five horses at a time.

I kept competing on David’s horses and my own. We hunted twice weekly during winter, with the Melbourne Hunt Club. David was the best employer; he paid for my showjumping lessons with the well known Art Utendaal, as well as covering my hunting fees. I rode all of his young horses in hunts, which could be exciting at times!!

I then worked for a further three years at the VEC Upper Beaconsfield and with Mr. Ian McKinlay once again. During this time I evented often and purchased ex racehorses, trained and sold them on.

Strapping with showjumping horse Pablo Cruise
Strapping with showjumping horse Pablo Cruise

My career path took a slight turn from an equine only field when I commenced working as a Veterinary Nurse, with Dr. Gary Stapleton, Dr. Graham Jefferies and Dr. Chris Mackay locally. The veterinary clinics I worked at dealt with a myriad of animals as well as quite a lot with horses and the experience I gained from this has been of invaluable benefit over the years.

Top of the Range (Robbie), a TB off the track - went on to event at Novice level EFA
Top of the Range (Robbie), a TB off the track - went on to event at Novice level EFA

During my time as a Veterinary Nurse, I was still eventing at Restricted Novice (now called Pre-Novice) EFA competitions with various young horses and gave private lessons.

In 1991 I began my own business Harlequin Equestrian and I ran my business from Macclesfield from the years 1997 to 2012 selling my property in 2012.

So now I travel to my clients, specialising in teaching students from beginners to advanced riders and training horses to whatever the required level.

Today, the most enjoyable and important part of being an Instructor and Trainer is for me to share my lifelong experience and enjoyment of horses with my students of all ages. Teaching them how to achieve a safe, harmonious and successful partnership with their horse.

Anne's Trainers

I have trained with various coaches over the years, the most notable being:

  • The late Paul Johnson – Grand Prix Showjumper and Advanced Eventer. Paul, at that time, was training Lady Ansett’s horses, and once a week would allow me to ride her horses and train with him, at Lady Ansett’s property at Mt Eliza. I also strapped for them at some of the big showjumping events.
  • Sharon Ridgeway – Advanced Eventer who has competed on the European circuit.
  • Malcolm Barnes – Level 3 Instructor, 3 Day Eventer and Prix St Georges Dressage rider.
  • I have attended clinics, schools and have had private lessons from such people as Mary Longden, Ernie Barker, Brian Schrapel, Art Utendaal, Tony Utendaal, Charlie Moffat, Kay Irving, Charlotte Stibbard and Lucinda Green. I completed a Lucinda Green Instructor and Eventing Clinic in the early eighties.
  • More recently, I have had lessons with Karin Davis, Grand Prix Dressage rider, have worked with Steve Brady and Graham Chapple who has extensive European dressage history and more recently Kylie Pedder successful dressage and event rider.
  • I am a past member of the EFA and registered was a FEI rider and am proud to have been rewarded with life membership of the Macclesfield ARC for services to the club since 1984.
Jumping 5 ft 6 inches in a lesson with Paul Johnson
Jumping 5 ft 6 inches in a lesson with Paul Johnson
Graham Chapple riding Baron
Graham Chapple riding Baron

Anne's Horses

“Duell Harlequin”

an Australian Warmblood gelding, who I broke in and trained myself in 1991.

Anne & Harley - competing Elementary EFA at Shirley Heights
Anne & Harley - competing Elementary EFA at Shirley Heights

In 1993, he placed 10th in Australia in the Warmblood Performance Horse for Riding Horses over 5 years of age. He had only just turned 5 at the time.

In 1993, he won the Dressage section of the Wandin Young Horse Class and placed 9th overall.

His Dressage career has been very successful: winning and placing at Preliminary; winning his first Official Novice test; and competing at Elementary level, where in four starts was only out of the placings once. He placed second in the Gippsland Dressage Championships at Elementary level.

Harley went on to Medium level EFA and Advanced HRCAV where he competed successfully. He also competed in HRCAV Showing, Combined Training and Navigation Rides.

When I started my current horse ‘Baron’, Harley was campaigned by some of my pupils and gave many riding lessons at home. He is now retired and by his last photo here, you can see he is very happy.

Harley - now happily retired at home
Harley - now happily retired at home

“Larapinta Duell Baron”

I purchased Baron at 18 months of age in 1994, from Larapinta Lodge, Yellingbo Victoria who currently kindly assist with competition sponsorship.

Baron, when purchased at 18 months of age
Baron, when purchased at 18 months of age

I broke him in myself when he was 3 years old and started campaigning him in dressage competitions at 4 years of age.

He started out at Level 3 HRCAV in July 1998, winning his first competition ever, at Doongala. He has finished his HRCAV career in Advanced level at the Victorian Dressage Championships (8-4-06) winning both tests and the Jackpot – aged 12.

Baron has won many championships and jackpots, and was on the winning HRCAV Top Teams Dressage team in 1999 when Macclesfield ARC team including Robyn Shankley and Leanne Atwell, whom I trained, won the event.

I have also campaigned him lightly in EFA comps, winning Novice at Werribee in 1999 and then consistently placing and winning at Elementary level every time out.

My favourite photo of Baron - totally happy and concentrating
My favourite photo of Baron - totally happy and concentrating
Enjoying champagne with Baron, 2001
Enjoying champagne with Baron, 2001

He has earned his 100 Point Award (HRCAV) and we were the No. 1 horse/rider combination in the HRCAV Top 10 in the 2000/2001 season. He has won a total of 187 dressage points!

His size (17.3hh!), unflappable temperament and noble way of going has made him a crowd pleaser and his charisma has made him very popular – especially with the gear checkers!!

I started Baron back at EFA competitions in February 2006 at Advanced level and he has won or placed in every competition this year. He had his first start in an FEI competition in October 2006! He didn’t place, but I was very happy with him. We will continue competing at Advanced EFA and Prix St Georges and I will keep you updated on our progress…

Some of Baron’s vital statistics

  • Stands at just under 17.3 hands high.
  • Weighs 750 kg !!!
  • Wears a size 7-foot rug.
  • Requires a triple float converted to a double, because he cannot fit width-wise in a standard float.
  • Requires 1 and a half pastes when wormed.
  • I ride and train Baron five days a week.
Anne & Baron in first FEI Prix St Georges competition 2006. Unplaced, but very happy.
Anne & Baron in first FEI Prix St Georges competition 2006. Unplaced, but very happy.