.:EQUUS:.

So last week I was watching some horse related DVD’s that I’d borrow from the library at work.  Of particular interest to me was finding out about a horse drawn restaurant - yes, you read correctly!

The first of it’s kind was established in Sydney around 15 years ago and a sister restaurant has also been set up in Melbourne of Australia.  What a unique idea!

How does it work?  Well the idea is quite touristy in that the owners of the carriage restaurant provide tours around the Hawkesbury region and stop off at particular restaurants, providing their passengers with fresh food from local businesses.  Originally deemed an unlikely way to introduce the Clydesdale back into the area that is known to be the birthplace of the Aussie draught horse.  Further info, take a look at Clydesdales Horse Drawn Restaurant.

This seems such a wonderful way to mix food and horses; perhaps that little bit more horse related than the Box Stallion Winery where I had an end of year work party.

“You know you’re a horse person when… you stop channel surfing at Budweiser Clydesdale commercials.”

Tag: horse theme, carriage restaurant, horse business, horse hospitality

The breeding season is fast approaching down under and with it, jobs are popping up for those interested in working with stallions, broodmares and foals.

Some of the latest jobs advertised at EquusConnect (http://www.equusconnect.com.au/) include positions at the big studs Darley Australia and Coolmore Australia as well as Rich Hill in New Zealand.

Don’t forget, with the likes of Darley and Coolmore that are set up in varying countries around the world - the US, UK, Australia and Dubai, a foot in the door at one property may provide opportunity to visit the other properties and work your way around the world!

“All I need to know in life I learned from my horse - leather and chains can make anyone look studly.”

tag: horse stud, australia, thoroughbred stud season, New Zealand, seasonal work

Calling all wannabe equine body workers!  Debranne of Equinology.com has sent me an email about a scholarship that is on offer to anyone - and it sounds spectacular!

A breakdown:

• EQ201 Equinology Equine Body Worker Course
• Retreat October 10 - 27, 2011 (three weeks)
• In Northern California at The Sea Ranch
• Course costs ($3000 worth) as well as a private bedroom and bathroom

How awesome does that sound?  So what do you need to do?

• Be available on those dates in 2011
• Be able to get yourself to California and cover costs of meals
• Do the prerequisite, EQ50 (currently only $20 US)
• Apply for the scholarship

Sounds great, right?  More details can be found at the Events Page as well as the actual course info.  Applications close Jan 15th so you may wanna get a wriggle on!  They can be submitted by:

• an email to ronamead@gmail.com with ‘CG Scholarship’ as the subject
• snail mail to: POB 1192, Gualala, CA 95445 with ‘CG Scholarship’ in the top left hand corner

The application in itself requires that you “write an essay explaining why learning equine body work will help you reach your goals in the equine industry. You should include your horse experience within the body of the essay.”

Note also that to attend this course, you must be experienced in working around all different types of dispositions and be comfortable in picking up all the limbs of the horse.  Happy writing!

“Here lies the body of my good horse, The General. For years he bore me around the circuit of my practice and all that time he never made a blunder. Would that his master could say the same.” - John Tyler’s epitaph for his horse

tag: equine education, horse goals, new years resolutions, short course,

So I’m reading some Hoofbeats magazines for work as they have some relevant articles for the breeding subjects I teach.  When I stumbled across this one, I thought it definitely worth sharing!

Hoofbeats have listed a number of different riding holidays, their monetary worth and what is on offer in different states of Australia.  All you need to do is tell them if you won, which of these holidays you would choose and why!  Pretty straight forward

Other conditions:

• Only one winner will be selected and that winner will select only one of the Horse Riding Holiday packages (for two people) offered
• Individual ride operator conditions and restrictions are to be read on their website prior to entry
• The prize must be taken before the 30th December 2011
• The winner agrees to submit a report and photographs or be interviewed for a short article after completion of their ride, which will be published in Hoofbeats magazine
• The question (reason for selecting a particular ride) must be answered to be eligible to enter the competition
• Persons under the age of 16 need parental or guardian signature to enter- check individual ride operators conditions regarding their position on including riders under 16 years
• Entries close 4th January 2011 and results will be published in the Feb March 2011 Hoofbeats magazine
• The prize is not redeemable for cash and no correspondence will be entered into
• Reader’s competition entry details will not be available to Horse Riding Holiday operator

So!  Is one of your New Year resolutions to relax more, travel with regard to horses, spend more hours in the saddle?  If so, consider entering this highly appealing competition!  Remember, entries close January 4.

Details at http://hoofbeats.com.au/horseridingholiday/horseridingholidaycomp.html

“How to ride a horse:
Step One - Mount the horse.
Step Two - Stay mounted …”

tag: australia, horse riding holiday, horse competition

Perhaps you’re planning a trip to the lovely country that is Australia in the near future, but you haven’t yet worked out where you can get access to some awesome horse related activities.  So there appears to be a myriad of options at Adrenalin:

• Horse riding on the central coast of Sydney
• A beach ride in Daintree, Queensland - while here, it’s a perfect opportunity to check out Daintree Rainforest.
• School holiday horse riding camp in Sydney
• Private and group lessons in Sydney
• Introduction to polo in the form of a 2 hour session - individual or group
• Jackaroo/Jillaroo 5 and 12 day courses in country New South Wales

Covering a myriad of prices from $45, there are different disciplines in a couple of States of Australia - perfect for those wanting to see different areas of this great country.  For further details, check out http://www.adrenalin.com.au/all/&searchterm=horse.

“Wild oats aren’t meant for sowing - but they make a nice trail snack.”

tag: australia, jackaroo, cattle driving