Horses & Ponies
Ardis horses and ponies are loved as individuals and treated as such. We are not and never will become a large and 'typical' commercial riding school.
Lesson Horses:
Tom
12yo 16hh Clydie x quarter horse. Tom joined the Ardis team in May 08. He is exceptionally kind and loves cuddles! He is easy to handle and has proved himself a capable all-rounder, having attended local show jumping and dressage days as well as local trail rides. He successfully completed his first ODE in Mar 09 and has been out at dressage and show jumping competitions as well as cross country training many times since. Loved by many, Tom is an integral part of the Ardis team.
We are delighted to welcome Jen to our group of lessees. Jen has been a part of Ardis for almost two years and has waited patiently for the right horse to become available for her.
PJ
PJ is a 16hh kind, loving, cheeky and amusing 10yo TB gelding. Bought off the track in 06 he has been trained to & successfully competed by Soo at Medium/Elementary dressage (WDA 2009 Elementary Champion), Prelim eventing & 1.05m show jumping.
Now part leased by Jess (who has shared a fantastic two and half years with Midnight). We are loving seeing this combination out & about in 2011.
"Ardis is a place where dreams really do come true. A place not just about riding but about learning to become more than just a rider and learning to care, keep, protect and everything important about these wonderful animals we love. There's no place like Ardis". Jun 11
We warmly welcome Anna who is also taking out a part lease with PJ.
Click here to view Stephanie Brown's magnificent artwork of PJ.
Dobbs
16hh 5yo Clydie x Shire x Percheron x ASH, Dobbs is going beautifully, having received plenty of variety at home, out on trails as well as dressage on the central coast and jumping outings to Sydney Jump club and Northside.
Dobbs is very excited to be starting leases with Jess & Tiff in the new year. Keep an eye out for their adventures!
Scandal
15.3hh 7yo shire x ASH x QH mare, Scandal is a sweet and sensible horse who enjoys a bit of everything - ground work, trail rides, arena schooling and jumping. She has been out competing in show jumping, dressage, combined training competitions and ODEs and has the potential to excel and be quite special.
Scandal will be available for part lease from Feb 2012.
Archie
15.3hh 15yo TB gelding, Archie joined the team Nov 2011. Archie's history is a bit sketchy but we believe he has done some dressage training and possibly some jumping in the past. He is coming on in leaps and bounds and has started to take 'new' riders recently.
He is being offered for part lease and is looking for a kind, patient and confident person to help bring him to his true potential. For further info email Soo
Pops
Trained & ridden by Tamsin, 11yo Pops has always been a star. He has won out eventing and at elementary dressage with scores over 60%. Through 2011 he was leased and competed by Abbey before suffering an aggressive attack of uveitis. Despite our best efforts, he has lost some eyesight in both eyes, how much is hard to say. Formerly a great all rounder he is now considering his future. He is a beautiful, kind horse who has always tried hard and who has trained Medium work at home. He needs a compassionate, confident rider to become his eyes for trail rides and flatwork - he will probably enjoy getting out competing as well if you are keen to do so.
Abbey leased Pops in 2011 and really enjoying competition with him, with success at Hidden Valley ODE, Northside jumping and dressage days.
"Ardis is like a family and all the horses are loved as individuals. We are taught not only how to do something but why we should do it, when riding and around the yard. The horses at Ardis are cared for in the absolute best way possible and they are allowed to be themselves. I learn something every time I come to Ardis and not just horse related things, life skills as well. Jun 11
Amigo
4yo Amigo has been started by Tamsin and is currently in full work. He is looking for a lessee to help further is education and have fun with.
Buccaneer
23yo 15hh ASH (stock horse). Bucc spent his time before Ardis as a Riding for the Disabled horse as well as being used for vaulting. He is educated up to and including elementary dressage and enjoys a bit of everything. Although beginning to really feel his age, his intelligence and tolerance make him an amazing school horse.
Bucc is currently part leased by Lucy, Sarah and Dana. What a lucky bloke!
Midnight
19yo 13hh Aust Riding Pony. Midnight was Tamsin’s first pony and together they were successful in dressage, show jumping and eventing. Very dear to our hearts, Midnight now encourages other kids to ride. Her passion is cross country!
Midnight is part leased by Emma & Charlie who really enjoyed their time with her.
Nipper
14yo 12.3hh Aust Riding Pony. Nipper is another fantastic little allrounder. His intelligent, cheeky personality attracts attention and he loves cuddles and carrots.
After 2.5 years with Katie, followed by 1.5 yrs with Sophie, both of whom grew too big for him, Nipper is now looking for a new play mate. He's been out regularly to dressage, show jumping and cross country / events. For more see our 'for lease' page
Competition horses:
Dom
An honour & privilege to own! 14yo Dom has and continues to teach Soo more than any other horse probably will. Currently trained & competed by Soo at EA Advanced dressage (WDA 2010 Advanced Champion, WDA 2009 Medium Reserve Champion) & 1.20m show jumping. Prior to EI the pair qualified for 2* eventing but changed disciplines because he loved the cross country too much!
Mozart
5yo Clydie x TB x WB Mozart started with an amazing six months in work and showed us what a very special little horse he is. With dressage competitions locally and on the central coast, show jumping locally and further afield and cross country clinics under his belt, his future competition career looks very promising. 62% & 4th in his first official prelim dressage test and an incredibly mature attitude on the day was a lovely way to end the year.
George
16.1hh 11yo TB gelding, an absolute sweetheart, George came to Ardis in 2011 and settled in beautifully. It was following his first show jumping outing in August that Soo began to more carefully consider his potential and he has since been in training with her. Dressage outings at year end were very successful with placings at each and 64% & 2nd in his first official prelim test. He has a strong jump and has all the makings of a fantastic dressage, jumping or eventing horse.
Galen
Mr Personality Plus! Galen is a very smart 8yo TB gelding who started his competition career with runs in show jumping and dressage. Galen's physical and mental journey as he worked his way through rehab following time in the racing industry was particularly tough, but early in 2010 he began to settle into his work. He loves to gallop and really enjoys cross country training (pictured right at Berrima Horse Trials in April 2010). Unfortunately 2011 saw him off work with one issue after another. No horse deserves the run he's had and he is currently being brought back into work gently; we hope to see him in good health soon.
Others:
Lena
Lena will stop at nothing to pose for the camera! A 6yo 15hh clydie x percheron filly she was started and then campaigned by Soo and made very successful dressage & show jumping debuts in 09 (WDA 2009 Prep Reserve Champion). In April 11 she won her first show jumping ribbon, placing 2nd in the 65cm at Northside... and with it a bag of feed. Not a bad effort for the biggest 'foodie' on the yard!!
Oct 11 - We warmly congratulate Kate on her recent purchase of Lena and wish the pair every success and happiness in the future.
Past Friends Remembered
Solly
19yo 15.1hh ASH (stock horse), after initially being loaned to Ardis by a friend, we were delighted when Solly become one of us! She was a kind horse who settled into her work at Ardis with ease and who quickly became popular. She was another fabulous all rounder who taught riders of all ages and abilities and also took riders out to dressage and show jumping competitions and cross country clinics.
In Oct 2011 following ongoing soundness issues we made the sad and difficult decision to retire Solly. We are very grateful to Cate and her family who have taken her under their wing and will care for her in the Hunter Valley.
Cherish
In January 2011 we very sadly had to lay our beautiful Cherish to rest. She was the most beautiful and kind old horse who loved helping younger riders gain their confidence. She will be greatly missed by many and we, at Ardis, feel privileged to have shared such a special individual's life.