It had been six years, but when I closed my eyes I could still feel the power of my beautiful bay thoroughbred beneath me as I galloped along the the track overlooking the city in Shepherds Hill Reserve. He was as excited as I was with these early morning gallops, his time as a racehorse not forgotten, powerful legs surging in rhythmic motion and breath keeping time with his hooves.
We’d been through a lot together, Slappy and I. It had been a partnership of highs and lows, a huge learning curve for me as I stepped into the path of no return; horse ownership. My anger and frustrations in our early times together, transformed into a hunger for knowledge and understanding of how to problem solve when injuries and illnesses slowed our riding times.
🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴
I’d spent the last few years surrounded by bridezillas and nappies, a strange combination but motherhood and an award winning wedding hire business had kept me on my toes with no time for a horse related thought to enter my brain. I’d been consumed by kindergym, bridal meetings, chair covers and toy cars.
My husband at the time announced one evening that he was thinking of getting a race car. The good supportive wife that I was thought that was a sensational idea, and promptly backed it up with the plan to buy another horse. Fair is fair after all! Mini Mee was out of nappies and could help himself to the fruit bowl, my time as personal slave to a little human was clearly coming to an end! Plus, what kid doesn’t want a new furry friend?
Floyd was the first and only horse I looked at. At 17.2 he was a great height for my 5 foot 8 inch frame. A little hard to mount from the ground but years of squatting down setting up weddings ensured my legs were the strongest part of my body, so I figured I’d be fine! His owner was moving him on because they just weren’t suited. Little did I know he’d put her through the ringer, yet today Elle and I are great friends! I drove to Echunga to meet my potential lifelong partner, my excitement building every kilometre travelled. I was pretty sure I was going to buy this horse even before I saw him. Clearly my youthful impulsiveness hadn’t totally disappeared.
Ty had been asked to ride him for me, wondering why Elle wouldn’t ride herself, I was told a recent injury from another horse had prevented her from riding that day. In hindsight I should have thought more clearly about this!!
Ty put Floyd through his paces and I was blown away by his movement; the horse was pretty damn good too! I asked him to show me how well he jumped and without batting an eyelid Ty popped the rail up to a good 80cm. Here I was thinking something a little smaller would suffice, but Floyd made it look easy! I was hooked. This horse was coming home with me.
I remember Ty told me Floyd was fine for someone who could ride but would be a handful for an inexperienced rider. I assured him that I could ride despite my rustiness and mummy tummy.
Floyd came to live on a property near me at Aberfoyle Park. We made use of the public arena on Oakridge Road that hadn’t changed much since Slappy and I had been there many years before. It wasn’t too long before we bought a float and got out and about. My dream of hunting soon to become a reality.
I sometimes wonder how I managed to spend 6 years without the thunder of horse hooves in my life, but I knew from this moment I’d never be without one again. The impatient young horse owner had found maturity through motherhood and business ownership, skills that could transform me into a better horsewoman than I’d ever been before.
Floyd will be forever imprinted on my heart as the horse that made me come alive again. The things he taught me and the knowledge we grew together have become such a huge part of who I am today. His violent and tragic death a few years later is a story not for the faint hearted and one I will tell another day. Bring your tissues and wear the waterproof mascara for that one! His soaring jumps and floating strides are forever in the sky.