Like so many passionate standardbred riders, Nicola Bletcher fell in love with her first standy as a child.
“I’d had a couple of riding lessons, but was very much a beginner when I got my first horse. I was twelve years old and I’d convinced my parents that I could ride, which definitely wasn’t true”, Nicola reflects, with a laugh.
“Jeanie was a standardbred and such a legend. I’d take her out riding in the bush on my own and she always brought me home safely. It’s quite remarkable to look back on, as I was a raw beginner with no idea what I was doing and she just looked after me in every way possible.
“Jeanie was the perfect choice of horse to get me started as a rider and she stayed connected to our family for the rest of her life”.
“The amazing first experiences I shared with Jeanie created the soft spot I’ll always have for standardbreds”.
Developing as a rider over the years since, partnering with ‘many different breeds of horse’, Nicola’s standardbred journey came full circle two years ago when she was looking for a new farm horse.
“I had a lot of beginner friends asking if they could come to my place and go for a ride”, Nicola reflects.
“My riding horses were a bit too quick on their feet and I didn’t have anything suitable. I saw Bazza advertised on Facebook and, having such fond memories of Jeanie, thought he looked like a safe choice.
“I brought Bazza home and he fit in straight away, like he’d been here forever. Despite not being particularly educated, I’ve ended up really enjoying working with Bazza and he’s now my primary riding horse. We’ve been doing clinics, lessons, lots of pottering around the farm and bush riding.
“Life can get really crazy busy and I find Bazza to be so easy and low-maintenance. I can just pull him out of the paddock, even after a month with no work, and get straight on. He’s such a dude!
“Taking on Bazza reignited something within me, in terms of getting back into the standies”.
Towards the tail-end of 2023, Nicola saw a lovely standardbred gelding called Morris advertised on the Hero Direct Off The Track (DOTT) website page, which is where harness industry participants advertise horses looking for new homes.
“Morris is such a character, a bit like a clown who’s always making people laugh”, says Nicola.
“I did a lot of groundwork with Morris when he first came home and took him to some horsemanship clinics. We spent a lot of time just getting to know each other, which suits me as I’m in no rush whatsoever and am happy to go slow and enjoy building a relationship”.
Nicola’s kind, patient approach to horsemanship is something Kima Frenning, who listed Morris on the DOTT website and is also the Hero Ambassador and Racing Partner, was hoping she would find.
“Just from talking to Nicola, I knew that she and Morris were going to be the perfect match”, Kima explains.
“The DOTT initiative, run via the Hero program, allows people like me to be a part of the process and to choose where our standies go after they’ve finished their racing career.
“Getting to know the people taking on the horses, and hearing how much they care, is such an important part in the rehoming process for me”.
Progressing steadily through groundwork training, Nicola and Morris celebrated a big milestone during the festive season.
“I had my first ride on Morris around Christmas time and it was very exciting to go through the whole process myself and be the first one to climb aboard”, Nicola explains.
“I certainly wouldn’t take on the challenge of breaking another breed of horse from scratch, but because standies have had all of the harness gear on and experience in cart, three quarters of the job is done and it’s just about getting them used to someone sitting on their back.
“I’ve always felt safe with my standies. They’re highly trainable and real people-pleasers. The way they hang onto new information and remember things is just amazing”.
Well and truly bitten by the standy bug, Nicola recently invited yet another champ with a stamp to join her herd of harness retirees.
Listed through the Hero DOTT program by harness stalwart Jayne Davies, it was important that Star Hunter, known as Hunter to his friends, find the ‘very best of homes’ in his retirement from racing.
“We bought Hunter at the yearling sales and he was a very lovely looking colt”, Jayne explains.
“Hunter had a lot of ability, but an intermittent career due to recurring pedal bone fractures and coming in and out of work, spelling and rehab.
“We were patient with Hunter and he came back after a big spell and gave us a string of wins last year. After this, we felt he’d had enough and so decided to retire him.
“It was really important that we found Hunter a nice home after racing, as he is such a sweet horse with a beautiful nature and a pleasure to do anything with; we knew he’d make a lovely riding horse.
“When you work with your racehorses every day, they become like your babies. Naturally, you get very attached to them. It’s bittersweet, but very satisfying to see them go off into new homes.
“I’ve rehomed a lot of harness retirees over the years and the new Hero DOTT website makes the process very easy. We filled Hunter’s details out so he could be listed on the website and then received an enquiry from Nicola, who was recommended by Kima as she had taken one of her horses previously and provided him with a great life.
“We were thrilled when Nicola agreed to take on Hunter and think it’s lovely that he’s found such a wonderful home and is going to be so well cared for”.
Juggling full-time work, motherhood and the demands of running a farm, Nicola is grateful for her ‘easy-going and reliable’ herd of standies.
“At this stage of my riding career, I’m really flat-out. Riding and horsemanship is my outlet and a source of joy”, Nicola explains.
“There’s so much to appreciate about standardbreds. They’re affordable, hardy, have great feet, are very even-tempered and versatile enough to give anything a go and have some real fun with.
“I’ve already talked three of my friends into getting standies. It’s nice to share the experience and to have played a part in a few more harness retirees finding such great homes.
“I guess when you’re so passionate about something, as I am about standardbreds, it’s infectious.
“I tell everyone about standies and how much enjoyment, including many laughs and a lot of love, they bring to life. They’re just a fantastic breed of horse and completely underrated”.
