Jen Phillips finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly twenty years since her standardbred journey began.
It was back in the year 2006, perched along the edge of the local pool as their children splashed about, that Jen joined a small group of parents discussing their shared interest in horses and, more specifically, standardbreds.
These conversations lead Jen to an introduction to her first standardbred, Oscar (who raced as Eddies Quote) and for the inaugural Standardbred Riding Group (SRG) to be formed.
Based in Wandong, the SRG was registered with HRCAV and began to host monthly rallies. Members also met regularly for social catch-ups, leisurely trail rides and to assist one another with retraining.
“That’s been the beauty of being part of the SRG: even though we have our rallies, around these we’re still there supporting each other with any issues, or just enjoying a chat”, Jen reflects.
“People within the club give great advice and nobody judges each other. Although we’re each on our own journey, many of us have been there before and can offer help or another perspective”.
A few years after the formation of the SRG, Jen’s daughter, Amber, began to show an interest in horses. Naturally, Jen gravitated towards a standardbred.
“Bailey had just turned four and was fresh from racing (as Red Sky At Night) when he came onto my radar”, Jen recalls. “I planned to put a year of training into Bailey before passing him to my daughter, as he was so green and she was still a novice.
“During this time, I took a fall from Oscar and it affected my confidence and trust in him. Bailey was going quite nicely at the time and Amber decided she didn’t want to ride. I guess the stars kind of aligned for Bailey and I and he became my primary riding horse.
“That was back in late-2010 and Bailey was such a baby. He’s really filled out over time and we’ve had quite a remarkable career together over the past fourteen years!”
“Bailey’s pretty versatile and we’ve had a go at many different disciplines over the years. These include dressage, showing (HRCAV and breed classes), jumping, combined training, horse trials, 3PE, navigation rides and we even completed a 20km endurance ride where he pulled me like a train across the whole ride and vetted with a perfect heart rate (at fifteen years of age!)
“Bailey and I have been graded to Level 3 across all HRCAV disciplines and we’ve managed a few special achievements over the years, including placing third individually at a HRCAV Top Team Trophy (TTT) event, reaching the Alabar Hero Series Final a couple of times and taking home the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association (SPPHAV) State Show Jumping Championship in the 75cm class three times.
“A big part of the fun of going to events is catching up with other standardbred owners. When you see someone on a standy at a competition you can’t help but be drawn to them and follow their progress across the day”.
Although they’ve built an impressive resume of achievements over the years, Jen acknowledges that standardbred success certainly doesn’t come overnight and that she and Bailey have trained hard to get to where they are today.
“Standardbreds are beautiful horses and they can do so much”, Jen explains.
“That said, it’s important to keep perspective of all the changes they go through it the early stages of retraining, both mentally and physically.
“My advice is not to put any pressure on a new partnership with a standardbred, at least for the first year or two. It’ll take that long before it all starts coming together and you’ll start really seeing results.
“Because they’re such kind horses, standardbreds attract riders of all experience levels. I think for beginners, it’s important to invest in education, whether that’s something you organise privately with a coach or by joining a club”.
The sense of comradery within the standardbred community is something Jen feels makes involvement with the breed so special.
“The Standardbred Riding Group has been such a big part of my life for such a long time”, Jen reflects.
“We’re all on our own journeys, but are great mates. I really just love being involved with standardbreds and am very grateful to have made such wonderful friends along the way!”
