Anne's Riding & Training History

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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

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.

Anne & Raphael

"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 & 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.

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