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Steve started riding when he was 8 years old, in New Guinea. The ponies belonged to a riding school, which were many and varied. Maggie was his usual mount as no one else wanted to ride her. She was not the ideal child’s mount. This was the start of mapping his future. 
When Steve and his parents came back to Australia they purchased a pony called Pet. At pony club Steve enjoyed novelty, ODE, dressage and jumping. As he outgrew this pony many were to follow until he was 16 and obtained his Pony club instructors certificate.
Next on his path was rodeos, riding bulls and bullocks. This was a side step towards the western disciplines. An American imported Palouse came to Queensland, these owners approached Steve to work with this stallion. Showing him in western and English events and then to ride other horses they owned. As breeding season came around Steve also handled this stallion with the mares. This wet his appetite for breeding.
He then purchased a 40-acre block at Toogoolawah. To run some broodmares and break in his own horses for resale. Most of these horses were station horses and whaler types. At this time Steve was showing for other people in the pony, hack and western areas. He was enjoying the western horses and decided to purchase a mare- a quarter horse and then to be classified as a stockhorse. The advantage to show her in 2 rings. Our Australian heritage is a personal interest of Steve’s so showing in the stockhorse ring was furthering two interests at once.
Steve has taken his and clients horse to state and national levels in many breeds. Personal achievements have been many trophies and buckles but the most satisfying is to see people happy and confident with their horses, no matter what avenue they take.
Steve at a recent Ray Hunt Clinic
Learning is a continuous journey, Steve has participated in schools conducted by Australian and overseas horsemen. He has travelled to Japan to experience their ways. Shortly after this Steve completed an Eddy Powell saddle making school. Making, learning and understanding about horse gear gives a more informed process of understanding horses and what works best for horse and rider.
After moving to Woolooga (Dec 03), Steve has continued to break, re educate and give direction to people whilst have time to continue his leather work. In amongst this he has developed a passion for campdrafting. On the breeding side Steve is trying to breed horses with sound minds for youth and amateur with the looks to halter.
Steve’s philosophies are kept simple don’t make things to difficult. Most horses have a gift, sometimes it is a little harder to see. Patience and a love of what you do is a key to Steve’s ideology.
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