And then there was Ellie May

Straight after year 12 exams I flew down to Sydney and was picked up from the airport on the way to Inglis thoroughbred sales, thoroughbred in the float and ready to be sold!

About 2 months prior I had emailed one of my favourite horse studs and asked if they would be interested in a live-in stud hand, for a girl from Darwin fresh out of school. One phone call later, the answer yes and the plans began. Thankfully, the stud owners were not axe-murderers and in fact welcomed me into the stud, their home and family.

I found these mushrooms in one of the forests on the stud and thought I had stepped into a fairytale.

One of the horses on the stud was a 4yo chestnut anglo mare, that I was fortunate to ride. Ellie May was an absolute sweet heart and I quickly fell in love. We literally walked up the road to our first show (alongside the owner riding their stallion) and she coped with the rides, carriage horses and showjumping next door. Ellie May was exactly what I needed after Dylan. We could go out on the trails on our own, do gallops across the paddock and not have a care in the world.

Gwaihir Aubusson and Ellie May (Gazelle de Gwaihir)

One of my most embarassing moments is because of Ellie May. We were at a show and I was leading her out in a led class, running as fast and as graceful as I could while trying to keep up with her big trot (I’m 5’3 and she was 16.1hh). I made the fatal mistake of trotting her while turning around, instead of coming back to a walk, turning and then trotting again. What resulted was Ellie May swinging her leg in front of mine, causing an epic superman-esque launch through the air, dropping the reins and skidding face and belly first in the muddy grass. Ellie May ever so kindly stopped and waited for me to get up and carry on back to the judge who was trying their hardest not to laugh while I bowed covered in grass and mud.

During my time there I was offered the opportunity to buy Ellie May, and we answered a big resounding yes. After spending 7 months at the stud, I returned to Darwin and brought Ellie May back with me. I continued in the dressage and showing scene where we were training medium level dressage and qualified for the Grand Nationals.

As a then 19yo working full time, studying part time, going out clubbing and having a boyfriend, something eventually gave... and that was the horses. I sold Ellie May & all my riding gear, expecting never to ride again.

A couple of months later the horse bug was back, and I pulled Lilli out and brought her back into work. The regret I had back then and still to this day for selling this wonderful mare is still strong. But, it was a ‘sliding doors moment’ for the horses and path I took next.

Ellie May went through a few homes and ended back up at the stud in pretty poor health. She was rehabbed to be a happy paddock ornament and enjoyed the rest of her days with those she began them with.