Clear Filters Shelley’s Unwavering Dedication to Standardbreds By Nicole Tassone - April 6, 2024 Shelley’s Unwavering Dedication to Standardbreds It’s been well over twenty years since Shelley Murcutt started her standardbred journey and found her life irrevocably changed. Described… Kathleen’s Standardbred Hat Trick from Race Retirees to Royal Show Champions. By Nicole Tassone - April 4, 2024 Kathleen’s Standardbred Hat Trick from Race Retirees to Royal Show Champions. Growing up around the stables of her father’s harness racing operation, Kathleen Mullan developed what would become a lifelong affinity… Rooney’s Happy Retirement Beyond the Track By Tara van der Minne - March 18, 2024 Rooney’s Happy Retirement Beyond the Track Million-dollar Grand Circuit champion pacer Arden Rooney (NZ) has started a wonderful new chapter beyond the track, securing a loving… From Racetrack to Bush Trek: Standy Adventures on the Trails By Nicole Tassone - March 1, 2024 From Racetrack to Bush Trek: Standy Adventures on the Trails Having been first introduced to standardbreds over two decades ago, Pene Gregson has built a long-standing appreciation for the capabilities… Jess and Jimmy Barrelling into New Adventures Beyond the Track By Nicole Tassone - February 1, 2024 Jess and Jimmy Barrelling into New Adventures Beyond the Track When the Covid lockdowns were enforced in Victoria, young Jess Barraclough found herself looking for ways to pass the time… Heroic Effort as Standardbreds Brave Storm at Series Final By Nicole Tassone - January 26, 2024 Heroic Effort as Standardbreds Brave Storm at Series Final Twelve of Victoria’s top show standardbreds weathered inclement conditions to contest the prestigious Alabar Hero Series Final, held as part… Big Bad Bruce has the Goods on the Trails By Tara van der Minne - January 11, 2024 Big Bad Bruce has the Goods on the Trails When Cecile Blanchot was looking to get back into horses after more than twenty years out of the saddle, she… ‘Dynamite’ Standy Adventures Beyond the Harness Racetrack By Tara van der Minne - January 5, 2024 ‘Dynamite’ Standy Adventures Beyond the Harness Racetrack When Alison MacLaren was looking to return to riding after over a decade out of the saddle, she found a… Emerson and Keith’s Adventures from Racing to Riding By Nicole Tassone - January 1, 2024 Emerson and Keith’s Adventures from Racing to Riding With no ponies of her own at home, passionate equestrian Emerson Chesterfield took up work at a local harness racing… A lifetime of Standy Love does the ‘Trix’ for Nikky Fontana By Nicole Tassone - December 18, 2023 A lifetime of Standy Love does the ‘Trix’ for Nikky Fontana Looking back, some of Nikky Fontana’s fondest childhood memories were those shared with standardbreds. “I remember when I was around… As Reliable as Rudolph: Taz the Standardbred Spreading Christmas Cheer By Nicole Tassone - December 15, 2023 As Reliable as Rudolph: Taz the Standardbred Spreading Christmas Cheer Having shared over twenty years together, there are few things horsewoman Jenny Hanson and her standardbred Taz don’t know about… Standardbreds set to put their Best Hooves Forward for Series Final Showdown By Nicole Tassone - December 13, 2023 Standardbreds set to put their Best Hooves Forward for Series Final Showdown The excitement is building, as new names are added to the list of contenders to qualify for the Alabar Hero… Standardbred Success Without a Shadow of a Doubt By Nicole Tassone - December 1, 2023 Standardbred Success Without a Shadow of a Doubt Grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of her riding horse, Leah Kinman was offered solace in the form of a… Jimmy Creek Driving Towards a Big Future Beyond the Track By Nicole Tassone - November 15, 2023 Jimmy Creek Driving Towards a Big Future Beyond the Track Carriage driving competitor Heather Dunn is the first to admit she’d never really considered taking on a standardbred. But, as… Adventures Beyond the Track with Trusty Rusty By Nicole Tassone - November 1, 2023 Adventures Beyond the Track with Trusty Rusty With some wonderful memories from her junior years, Candice Himsley developed a soft spot for standardbreds early in her riding… Defendo on a Quest to do his Best on the Track and Beyond By Nicole Tassone - October 1, 2023 Defendo on a Quest to do his Best on the Track and Beyond Chalking up one-hundred-and-thirteen races across his first eleven years of life, harness racing stalwart Defend Me Not NZ, known to… Mr Brown’s Tales of the Trails, in Honour of Jen By Nicole Tassone - September 23, 2023 Mr Brown’s Tales of the Trails, in Honour of Jen Mr Brown came into our lives in 2013. He had a few races, but didn’t do that well. Originally Mr… Standardbreds Enriching Lives in RDA By Nicole Tassone - September 1, 2023 Standardbreds Enriching Lives in RDA For fourteen-year-old rider Ben Ostanin, becoming a horseman changed his life. Twice a week Ben swings into the saddle of… The Turnbull Legacy on and off the Track By Nicole Tassone - August 25, 2023 The Turnbull Legacy on and off the Track With a legacy spanning across generations, the Turnbull name is synonymous with greatness in harness racing circles. A quick Google… Harness Industry Participants Dedicated to Standardbreds in Racing, Riding and Beyond By Nicole Tassone - August 18, 2023 Harness Industry Participants Dedicated to Standardbreds in Racing, Riding and Beyond Growing up as a competitive show rider, Casey Leijen is the first to admit she ‘wasn’t really a fan’ of… Murphy’s Full Circle Life of Love By Nicole Tassone - August 11, 2023 Murphy’s Full Circle Life of Love The decision to rehome a standardbred at their end of their harness racing career is one of the most bittersweet… Brontie and Shakira the Standardbred’s Adventures from the Show Ring to the Rodeo (and Everything in Between!) By Nicole Tassone - August 1, 2023 Brontie and Shakira the Standardbred’s Adventures from the Show Ring to the Rodeo (and Everything in Between!) Looking to regain her confidence after a serious fall, Brontie King was encouraged by her sister to consider a standardbred… Support for standardbred Heroes By Nicole Tassone - July 1, 2023 Support for standardbred Heroes Cindy Kaiser never imagined that when she invited a standardbred into her life, she would gain an entire community of… Noela York and her True Blue Love for Harness Racing By Nicole Tassone - June 14, 2023 Noela York and her True Blue Love for Harness Racing As the clock strikes four in the afternoon, the old chestnut gelding comes to life; dancing around the fence line…