Published on Friday, 6 August 2021 at 2:56:00 PM

This week, we are celebrated our equine community as part of every Horses’ Birthday.  The Horses Birthday is celebrated on 1 August every year and is and marks the start of the breeding season for thoroughbred horses in the Southern Hemisphere.

As part of celebrating the local equine industry in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, we profiled local people involved in the horse industry. Catch up on their stories below.

Emma Cumming

Growing up on a large property in Cardup, Emma Cumming has been surrounded by horses her entire life.

Supported by her mum, Wendy, who herself is an experienced rider, Emma is involved with dressage and jumping and is a successful competitor having achieved significant milestones such as qualifying for the WA Interschools Team eight years in a row, and competing and placing at numerous competitions at a national level.

Emma is also a successful horse trainer and finds great reward in building relationships with inexperienced horses.

As a disability support worker, Emma says that working with horses has allowed her to unwind from the stresses of her job and develop important skills that have translated into other areas of her life.

She says that riding horses has taught her much, but it’s the lifelong friendships she has made through her passion that she holds most dear.

While the journey has been difficult at times, Emma says she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Emma is proud to be part of the active SJ equine community and promotes the Serpentine Horse and Pony Club as a great place for young riders.

She is also thankful to her mum, who has shared her experience with horses and helped Emma all through her journey.

Thank you Emma for sharing your horse story.

Crissy Coletta

For Darling Downs resident, Crissy Coletta, it’s been a childhood dream to be a horse owner.

Her first experience with horses was meeting them in Lipica, Yugoslavia, as a child where the well-known breed of Lipizzaner horses were bred.

After emigrating to Australia, she discovered a love of trail riding as a teenager and this is where her dream started to become a reality.

Taking a break from the industry to raise her family, Crissy and her family moved to Darling Downs and she returned to her passion for horses.

Crissy is now president of Southern Districts Working Equitation, a riding club based on classical principles of training dressage with obstacles and she is also currently studying to become a coach.

There’s a true magic being involved with horses, Crissy says, and through a journey of learning, bonding, care and training, a real trust develops between a horse and its owner.

Crissy says she is grateful for the SJ equine community, highlighting the importance all aspects of the industry which contributes to its success.

From local vets to stock feeders and farriers, to clubs and horse trainers, Crissy says the helpfulness of those willing to share their knowledge with one another make the SJ equine community a special one to be part of.

Thank you Crissy for sharing your horse story.

Coco Mitchell 

Darling Downs teenager Coco Mitchell started horse-riding at 10 years old after asking her mum, Paula, if she could take lessons. A horse rider herself, Paula agreed and Coco hasn’t looked back.

She has achieved some significant milestones so far having won the 2020 State Tetrathlon and competing in show-jumping and eventing.

Coco says that being involved in the SJ equine community has helped her develop great relationships, but she also values the relaxing and peaceful state of mind she finds when spending time with her horses.

She often finds herself heading out for a ride as a way to put a bad day in the rear view.

Coco says having access to nearby bridle trails and being surrounded by like-minded and supportive neighbours, who also value horse riding, has been important in her journey. She values her lessons as she continues to become an experienced rider.

While training can be hard work, Coco loves it and says it’s incredibly rewarding.

She finds time to balance her school work and training with the help and support of her mum.

She adds that anyone interested in becoming involved with horses or the equine community in SJ should definitely join in.

Coco says there are many benefits in horse riding such as making great friends and travelling to new places for competitions.

Thank you Coco for sharing your horse story.

Jaye Barnesby-Buie

For Jaye Barnesby-Buie, horses have been an important part of her life journey.

Jaye faced several challenges in the early stages her life, where she was deaf until the age of four and diagnosed with autism at the age of six.

Introduced to horses as a therapy, her relationship with horses has blossomed into a beloved sport that she now competes at a national level.

Jaye says she was introduced to horses with regular visits to her aunt’s property in Darling Downs where she made sure to do all the carrot rounds feeding the horses.

From here, Jaye’s mum enrolled her in the Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre. She was then able to start competing and progressed to Riding for the Disabled and Special Olympics competitions at a national level with medal placings in almost all of her classes at the 2018 Special Olympics Australia National Games in Adelaide.

Jaye has also been a semi-finalist in the WA Young Achievers Surge Fitness Sports Award.

This year, Jaye has been able to purchase her very first horse, Ruby. She says while it has been a challenge to develop a relationship with a new horse, she never gave up with Ruby and is thankful to the support network around her, including her coaches. She says her and Ruby are now thriving and competing well together.

Jaye says there is also a great equine community in the Shire. From coaches to talented to riders and support personnel, Jaye says it’s wonderful to be included in such a supportive and welcoming community.

Thank you Jaye for sharing your horse story.

Back to All News