Finlander (Finny)
Finlander (or Finny) came into my life in February 2022. I’d been searching for my next Off The Track (OTT) horse to compete in ‘Sporting’ events for some time with no success when a dear friend of mine got in contact with Yvonne Divers from Lindsay Park for me. After seeing his sweet face and his pedigree, I thought I’d finally found the one. A few white lies were told so I could skip out of work early to meet him and indeed it was as I’d hoped – love at first sight. Very soon after, he was headed home with me.
As soon as he’d got off the float at home, I was straight on him bareback and six hours later he was on the float to our first sporting event together at Barastoc. With absolutely no preparation and everyone thinking I was insane, that day Finny cemented his place in my heart handling a big show environment like the champion he is and placing second in three events.
Sporting is a small discipline comprising of four main events - bending race, stake race, flag race and barrel racing. I’d had great success competing my previous OTT horse and wanted to continue with another. Riding OTT horses is really close to my heart as I’ve grown up in the racing industry on King Island and wouldn’t be where I am without racing. Finny has continued my success in the sport and exceeded my wildest dreams.
After competing for only half of the season in our first year, he managed to place third in the OTT Sporting Horse of the Year and followed that up with being runner up the following season as well as being overall runner up Second Division Open Horse of the Year - beaten by the narrowest of margins, only one point. He qualified to compete at the Australian Championships at the Melbourne Royal Show as well as the Equitana Sporting Championships placing in races at both of these premier events.
Possibly the biggest highlight of his short but extensive career so far was being invited to be part of the Equitana Mane Event feature show. I had a rude awakening in terms of exactly how much I was asking from him at the dress rehearsal experiencing the bright lights and loud audio of the show in an empty stadium - let alone one packed with thousands of people! Despite this next level challenge, Finny handled it all like he’d done it every day of his life, and while he makes me proud every time we step out to do something, I’ve never been prouder of him than I was that night.
I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such a kind, willing enthusiastic horse in my life. Finny has made me feel young and fearless again. There is absolutely nothing he can’t do - he’s a superb and fearless horse on the trails, is kind and gentle enough to let beginners ride, he’s the sensible horse that can lead more nervous horses along (or my retired old horse). He’s clever and bold over obstacles, has potential for dressage (if only his rider could get enthused for this) and as we’ve discovered absolutely loves jumping. With his newfound enthusiasm for jumping, we’re now chasing his passion and focussing on some showjumping. Like all I’ve done with him, we haven’t taken it easy and again I’ve thrown him in at the deep end competing at local ag shows with limited preparation. However as always, Finny has thrived and has already brought home some placings from a limited number of shows.
I can never thank everyone at Lindsay Park who have worked with Finny enough, for both entrusting him to me in his retirement and the obvious excellent start to life he has been given. Finny is everything I needed in my life, but just didn’t know it at the time.
He’ll be with me for the rest of his life now.
