As a devoted standardbred owner and competitor, Mollie Stewart-Gibson is grateful to have started her equestrian journey at a pony club with a positive culture surrounding the breed.
Mollie recalls, “I didn’t come from a horsey family, but I grew up around standardbreds because several key members of my pony club were passionate about the breed and highly competitive, with one even achieving success at Level 1.”
“I never encountered any stigma, which made it easy to recognise the many positive traits of standardbreds and fall completely in love with them.
“My sister got a standardbred when she was young and eventually I took him on as my competition horse. Despite a history of some significant injuries, we went right through to 1.20m show jumping and he’s still with us today, at the ripe age of twenty-seven”.
Owning several pure and part-bred standardbreds over the years, Mollie has been enjoying great success with her current competition mount, Sunny (Sir Danny Avon).
“I picked Sunny up for free from his trainer right around the time he turned four”, Mollie recalls.
“It was a bit of a juggle to manage two horses and work at the time, so Sunny didn’t do a lot for the first few years. This time actually worked out quite well for him, as he had a few physical issues to resolve and this gave me the opportunity to start slow and begin some in-hand training with him.
“I took Sunny to a riding club for the experience of going out, standing in the yards and watching the other horses. I had his saddle with me on our second visit as he was so quiet on the first one and decided to ask a friend to hold him for me whilst I mounted. He pottered around the area, completely unfazed
“This was the first time Sunny had ever been ridden and his attitude towards it perfectly reflected his sensible nature. He’s the kind of horse I could take to an unfamiliar place with a bit of hustle and bustle and still feel safe backing!”
“I rode Sunny around the streets of Riddell’s Creek not long after he was broken in and that was a big introduction to life as a riding horse, along with many things he had never seen before. True to his calm nature, he took everything in stride”.
Despite taking to his new career change well, Mollie reflects on the effort, patience and steady approach to training that has gone into developing Sunny into the talented horse he is today.
“It took me nearly two years to get Sunny to cantering even remotely consistently”, Mollie explains.
“That said, it was pretty clear from early on that he was very level-headed and he had a knack for jumping.
“Sunny has been ridden through several busy suburbs without fuss, including visiting my parents’ place in Ascot Vale and taking a multi-day ride through the busy parts of Diamond Creek, and he’s very bold on cross country.
“Having a horse that didn’t bat an eyelid when arriving at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, at a huge event with over four hundred and fifty competitors, for his first horse trials (and third-ever competition), reminded me that all the effort was well worth it and how special a horse he is”.
After decades of devotion to the breed, Mollie has become a dedicated advocate for standardbreds.
“People often underestimate standardbreds, but I love an underdog and there’s nothing better than proving just what a standy can do and changing perceptions!” Mollie explains.
“Sunny and I have started our eventing career and had a lot of fun at some recent horse trials events. We posted some encouraging results in our first handful of competitions, including placing second at Glenlyon PC Grade 3 Open (EV80), and are tracking well to compete in TTTHT in Level 3 this coming May in Mansfield.
“When people see my standy, along with others doing very well at competitions, they think he’s a warmblood. But when they see his brand they realise he’s a standardbred and I think this helps to open their eyes up to what the possibilities are for the breed and how talented and versatile these horses are.
“It can take time to establish the canter, but if you’re a capable rider, or someone prepared to be patient, put the time in and have coaching to become stronger and more tuned into your horse’s needs, then there’s no reason why a standardbred can’t do anything you ask of them. They’re highly trainable and quiet, but you have to be prepared to put the work in. Commitment, patience and understanding as a rider and trainer are is key to their success.
“Standardbreds are laid-back, goofy and lovable horses. They are smart, hardy, sensible and forgiving, which means you can take them anywhere and know you’re going to be safe and have a good time!”
