Aesir Arabians

As a child, I grew up on the Atherton Tablelands, in Far North Queensland on a beef stud and improved pasture property. The next property heading out of town was Kanandah Arabians, owned by Barb and John Grimshaw. I owe these people indefinitely for being the major catalyst into my career with Arabian horses, initially getting me riding, then selling me my first horse - an Australian Pony Arabian cross gelding called Kanandah Tasca (by the beautiful and gentle Santa Pasa Count Farain), encouraging me into pony club, my first couple of shows, and eventually into endurance, all the while supplying all the knowledge on the subject they could offer.

I also did a lot of art back then, and their stallion was the inspiration for one of my first animal portraits.

Tasca was a little gem - full of spunk and good looks. He always attempted anything I faced him at - jumping, sporting, hack and working hack at some minor shows... though dressage was definitely not our forte! He did turn out to be a brilliant little endurance horse, with amazing recovery rates, and always appeared in the fittest horse line-up. When my family's financial situation dictated I could no longer afford to compete, I leased him to a young lady from Herberton, who continued to amass a veritable room-full of trophies on him.

I was a regular visitor at Barb and John's, always wanting to buy every new baby they had. I did end up buying Tasca's half sister, and sold her several years later to a couple who wanted her for endurance.

Work forced me into the city for some years, and I kept Tasca at a station quite a drive from where I now lived, so although I continued to ride,  riding sessions were getting few and far between.... and I always missed it to the point of heartbreak. Leaving my little horse each time was a gutwrenching experience.

My friendship with Barb and John endures, and it was only natural that much later down the track I should use their homebred stallion, the lovely Kanandah Sanzar a couple times before he retired to get started in the breeding business.

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In mid 1999, my partner (now husband) and I were involved in an accident which claimed 2 lives, and left us fighting for our lives, spending countless months in hospital, enduring multiple operations, and not surprisingly years of rehab. My lower right leg was completely destroyed on impact, and was amputated as soon as I had been resuscitated. What remained was not in good shape, and it was a surgical miracle it is still there today.

I spent a lot of time mourning the things I was not able to do any more. I had been a national level body builder, so there went my sporting career... then I got to thinking ... I might be flat out walking some days, but can I still ride?

My beautiful friend Coral Moody who I met while body building had spent many years on major Thoroughbred studs as foreman and vet nurse, and had a couple horses agisted just out of town. She'd take me there for drives, and the passion for horses was still burning brightly.

One day at Coral's paddock, I was watching this little girl riding the ultimate gentlemanly pony.  I got brave, and asked her if I could have a ride (if I couldn't ride any more, it's not far to fall to the ground, right?). I understood it must have sounded creepy, so I explained why, and the little darling obliged me. Ask Coral what the look on my face was like as we broke out of the trot into a canter!

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Yes!! I can still ride!!! So there was something I could do after all!! So when we finally got paid out by the offending driver's insurance, it was no surprise that I practically demanded a property where I could have horses. Unfortunately, my dear old Tasca passed away the week before we were due to move to Agnes Water, so alas, he was not to be part of my new life.

I purchased the 2 thoroughbred mares (who turned out to be sisters - that wasn't actually planned), followed by the Arabian mares, I went mustering regularly, even did another 80km endurance ride - not recommended for amputees!! Haha! I did it, but my knee took all the shock from constant trotting, and walking was next to impossible when I got back, and there was no way known to man I could run my horse out at the vet checks.

My return to showing was exciting, but also disappointing, as I eventually had to concede the fact I'd never be able to do my horses any justice, as my stump is so short, no matter what technology I wear, I'll never run properly, and judges do not care that the horse was trained and handled by an amputee, they just want to see it move.

 I had Leesa Bickers handle for me for the 2007 show season. I've accepted I will always need someone else to do the running, and have a new hope for my future in this industry. I'm really enjoying putting together all the tools I need to succeed.

I also hope to be able to inspire other people with disabilities to go out and get their dream! Don't let anyone make you believe you're not capable of anything. Stay positive, and try out anything that takes your fancy - you might just get a really pleasant surprise!

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It's not about what life deals you, more about with how you deal with what life dealt you!