Danbury Park - Horse Profiles

Here's some information and background on the horses at Danbury Park our students are able to ride. As you can see, we have horses to suit all ages and skill levels, and they all have their own personality!

Glen

Formerly a force to reckon with in the show jumping arena, this gorgeous 15.1hh chestnut thoroughbred has transitioned into becoming one of Danbury Park's most popular horses. Gentle, well-disciplined and eager to please, Glen is loved by riders of all ages and experience levels. Being so receptive to instruction, Glen allows riders to really focus on their position and technique. One of Glen's claims to fame is that he was used to teach the stars of the children's television series, The Saddle Club. Before being a Schoolmaster at Danbury Park, Glen competed very successfully under the name 'Solero' in EFA Show Jumping, Dressage & Eventing as well as Pony Club & Interschool competitions. He also spent a few winters out fox hunting with both the Melbourne & Findon Hunt Club.

Cooper

Cooper, who is Thoroughbred X Welsh Mountain, is a 14.3hh former Show Hunter Galloway and a place-winner at the Royal Melbourne Show. He competed under the name 'Cheraton Moonwalker', winning the prestigious title of Western Port Dressage Club Horse of the Year in 2005. He has also accrued many championship wins in EFA Dressage, Pony Club, Interschool competitions as well as many Agricultural Show Championships.. An attractive and confident chestnut with a white blaze and socks, Cooper is as lovely to look at as he is to ride (which he definitely knows). Like Glen, Cooper is particularly good to ride if you wish to concentrate on your position or technique. Being half pony, Cooper has a slightly cheeky personality, and although he's a great athlete, he is certainly very food-oriented, so it's important never to forget his treat!

Manny

Manny is Danbury Park's resident celebrity. A former prize-winning race horse known as Mantova, this 17hh bay thoroughbred has legs of supermodel length and a canter that is one of the smoothest you're ever bound to experience. Despite his height and champion speed on the track in the days of old, there is nothing to fear about Manny: he is utterly charming and very relaxed, labelled by the Danbury Park staff as 'the strong, silent type'. Manny starred in the television show 'Creature Features' filmed at Danbury Park during one of our Horse Lovers Day programmes in 2004, which is often repeated on the ABC. He was also featured in an article in the Saddle Club Magazine.

Slim

Slim is a bay 14hh pony who looks suspiciously like a teddy bear, and who has been helping children learn to ride at Danbury Park since its foundation in 1986. Kind and obedient, Slim is reliable and trustworthy, and for these reasons he is often used to carry young riders with physical or learning disabilities. Slim is inclined to travel at a slower pace than the other horses and is very easy to manage, therefore he is perfect for developing riding confidence (for both children and parents) and the development of basic riding skills. Slim came from a Pony Club background.

Sprite

Her official name being Habafield Spritely Lass, Sprite is a 14hh bay New Forest Pony. Despite being a mother of two, she still manages to clear jumps of up to 1.1 metres with lots of energy and pizzazz. The favourite of many, Sprite is best suited to the more intermediate and experienced young riders, especially those who are keen to learn show jumping or improve their existing show jumping skills. Sprite has been extremely well trained & placed well at Agricultural Shows along with Pony Club experience, and is frequently ridden after-hours by Danbury Park's junior instructors. But it's not only the riders who love Sprite - she's captured the hearts of many of our geldings, as well!

Charlie

Charlie is the smallest and youngest of the Danbury Park ponies, standing at 13.2hh, with the face of an angel, and an already-impressive fan club of riders. He is an Australian Riding Pony, and the baby of the group. Charlie is already displaying a special talent for show jumping, and has a very bright future. Charlie is well aware of how cute he is, and for that reason is excellent at securing extra treats for himself in the afternoons. Succumb if you must when he gives you that look, but be aware that you're just a part of his grand plan of food acquisition...

Connor

Although not as tall as Manny, standing at 16.2hh hands, Connor is the gentle giant of the Danbury Park horses. His Percheron X Australian Stock Horse breeding has given him his strong, muscular body, which is ideal for carrying slightly heavier riders (although pint-sized kids are just as comfortable on him). Connor is one of three horses at Danbury Park on which riders can develop and improve their show jumping skills, and for this reason is in quite high demand, although he remains humble. Like Manny, Connor has dabbled in film and television, and starred in the short film "Gone to Earth" in 2007, some of which was shot at Danbury Park.