When Zailie Dempster first met her standardbred mare Vanderkate at just eleven years old, she had no idea it would be the start of a lifelong love for the breed. She only had to ride Kate once to know she was special.
“I fell in love with her straight away,” Zailie said. “She’s still with me now, long retired, but she really started it all.”
During a play date at home, a visiting mum named Jane Hearn noticed Kate in the paddock and mentioned that her family raced standardbreds. That meeting turned into a lasting friendship. Before long, Zailie was spending weekends at Jane’s property, Dunroamin Stud, helping with the horses and learning the ropes of stable life.
Jane remembers those early days well.
“She was such a keen young rider,” Jane said. “At that time, standardbreds weren’t very popular as riding horses, so I made a point of telling her how lovely her mare was and that she had everything she needed to succeed. It’s so important to seek out kids who are having a go on a standy and make sure they feel supported.”
Over the years, Zailie has become part of the Dunroamin team, helping Jane and her partner John Nalder with mares, foals and horses spelling between preparations. Zailie has also learned to drive and now assists with bringing racehorses back into work.
Away from the stud, Zailie’s own team has grown too. Trooper joined the family about twelve months ago and quickly found his place. He’d done a little in-hand showing and plenty of groundwork so when Zailie first climbed on, he felt instantly familiar.
“He was perfect from the start,” Zailie said. “We took it slow, just walking at first and within a couple of weeks he was trotting confidently. He’s pacing-bred but has never paced under saddle.”
Within a few weeks, Zailie and Trooper went to their first combined training day.
“He’d never seen a jump before,” Zailie said. “We were only going for the dressage but decided to give it a go. He walked over the first few, then started trotting and by the end he was bopping along like he’d done it forever.”
Since then, the pair have been busy competing at Bunbartha CT, Tocumwal Showjumping and Dressage, Barmah Muster, Finley Horse Trials and the GVEC Navigation Ride, as well as plenty of clinics, lessons and trail rides.
With two young children at home, horses have become an outlet where Zailie can feel herself.
“Trooper has been a godsend,” Zailie said. “I can leave him for weeks and pull him out of the paddock and he’s exactly the same horse. He’s so trustworthy and kind.”
Next year, Zailie plans to try team penning and three-phase events, keeping things relaxed and enjoyable.
“I love how versatile standardbreds are,” Zailie said. “Whatever you ask them to do, they’ll give it a go. Most of them are just super calm. They’re the same out and about as they are at home and that’s pretty special.”
