Jenny Mathew and Toozac

Toozac
Jenny Mathew and Toozac
True Blue Toozac (aka Toozac) at 23 years young is a “true” gentleman. He has a long history with Falcon Park which is where we managed to find each other in January 2012.

I bought him from Katie Remond who was eventing him at 1* and 2** level with some success. Although she adored Toozac she found with her uni and other sporting commitments she couldn’t continue to compete him so made the difficult decision to sell him.

At the time my son Will was working for John and Pip and suggested he would be a good horse for me. I was recovering from an injury and needed a horse that would keep me safe and help me regain my confidence. It too, really was time for Toozac to do something a little more sedate – concentrate on the dressage phase perhaps.

We have had some hiccups along the way (mainly with me) so we are slowly building our riding relationship. Because of our ages we are both a little stiff and that can make it hard for both of us but there have been some amazing moments which make it all worthwhile.

We have regular lessons with Pip who is incredibly patient and always has a positive word to say. Every now and then we go out to some of the local dressage comps and, with the number of agisters now competing at comps increasing, it has become evident that it really can be a fun day out. Everyone is supportive, helpful and manages to have a good laugh along the way. In his time Toozac has been quite a talented horse. In 2003 he won the Adelaide 4*** event with Boyd Martin.

This is what Boyd had to say about him. “My finest moment in my eventing career happened on Toozac in 2003. Being the final selection trial before the Olympics it was a red-hot field, which consisted of some of the gold medal horses from Sydney 2000. It was also the last long-format CCI**** ever held in the world. Toozac was the classiest horse I have ever ridden, and won the event with the fastest cross-country round I have ever ridden in my life. He is an unbelievable horse that almost came to me too early in my riding career.”

So I feel privileged to own such a lovely horse and hope that we can continue our partnership for a few years yet. Falcon Park provides the perfect environment for both of us. The facilities are second to none and John and Pip are dedicated to ensuring that both horse and rider are well cared for.

Annie Sherlock and Cavalino

Annie Sherlock and Cavalino

Annie and Cav competing at Sydney Showjumping Club

Annie Sherlock and Cavalino

I started riding when I was 8 years old, competing at pony club until I was 12. I developed an interest in Campdrafting with Buffalos and competing in stock horse classes until the age of 15 when I discovered Showjumping.

I have been jumping with John since late 2012 and dressage coaching from Pip to help improve my Showjumping on my horse Cav (Cavalino).

Cav is a 16.3hh Holsteiner Warmblood who was imported from Germany at the age of 3. Since then he has progressed to 1.10m. John is now helping Cav and I to advance further.

Henriette Wochnowski and Northern Felicity (Schatzi)

Henri and Northern Felicity( Schatzi)Henriette Wochnowski and Northern Felicity (Schatzi)

I always loved horses. When I was young I spent several holidays on pony farms where we rode most of the times bareback through the forest. At the age of 10 I was the proud owner of a black shetland pony called Fridolin. He was fat and very lazy but we had a lot of fun together. At age 14 I got too big for him and personal circumstances stopped me from riding at all.

Almost 25 years later I got back into riding and that was one of the best decisions i’ve made in a long time. I got to own my first horse, a welsh cob mare, called Strawberry. We both started to learn how to become a show jumper because that is what i always wanted since i started riding but never got the opportunity to do. I had her for 2 1/2 years but she as well was a bit too small for me. I sold her and bought my current horse “Schatzi” ( the name is from John and it is very funny when he says it with his australian accent). She is a 12 year old warmblood mare from the Northern Warmblood stud and has been jumping up to 115 tracks. Some may think (including me) I bought her in a very rushed and not really thoughtful decision, more from my heart than brain, but that’s ok. My mare has some flaws but who doesn’t? She has a big heart and a kind nature and is very forgiving. That’s very important because on my way to become a show jumper. I make lots and lots of mistakes but she puts up with it, tells me, when it’s really not ok what I’m doing and sometimes I feel she silently shakes her head and rolls her eyes because of the rider on top of her.

I came to Falcon Park in December 2012 and that was one of my best decisions I made lately as well. It is such a nice place to be and I couldn’t be happier. John and Pip are amazing, we have the best maintenance lady and photographer and of course the best grooms. The other agisters are really nice and I’m always looking forward to drive up to Falcon Park.

John is a great coach. I learned so much already, and my jumping lessons are always a highlight in my week, even if they not always go as planned. Schatzi and I are currently jumping tracks around 1.05m and we won a few ribbons so far. My goal is to be able to jump 1.15 m tracks comfortably and knowing I have a chance to win and then winning of course!!!. Well, that’s a bit to go but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Em Gruzin and Bling NZ

Em Gruzin and Bling NZ
Em Gruzin and Bling NZ

“I started riding at the age of 5 and as I got a bit older found I loved showjumping. Went to my first competition at the age of 9 and owned my first horse at the age of 12. I started riding for Falcon Park in July 2012 and a couple months later bought a beautiful showjumping mare from Roycroft Stables. Bling NZ or ‘Molly’ as she is affectionately known is a 16hh Irish Sport Horse imported from New Zealand. She has competed at 1.30m courses and my goal for us is to work up to jumping the bigger courses again. She is the best horse I’ve owned and I love her very much!”
Congratulations to Em and Bling on their win at Sydney Jump Club
Competition on Sunday 16th March in the 85cm class.

Featured

Featured

As well as our own horses, Falcon Park is home to a number of other horses. They and their owners are an important part of our lives and this is a new section of our website which is not about us, but about the horses who agist with us, their owners and their achievements.

We plan to include photos, videos and features about the horses who live here and their people.