The Scoop on Jamie Creek

As seen in the August 2017 edition of Horse Deals Magazine

Age: 28

Lives: Jerilderie, NSW

Family history with horses: Mum and dad had a cattle station in the Northern Territory, halfway between Alice Springs and Mt Isa, and horses were a part of life from mustering to bush racehorses. Cutting was always something mum wanted to do and in 1994 we moved to Jerilderie. At the local ag show we watched a cutting demonstration where we met Max McTaggart and he helped mum get started.

What age did you start riding? When I was 16 months old.

Tell us about your first pony: Suzie was my first pony. She was a black Shetland pony mum used to lead me around everywhere on at the station. She was a great little pony who I loved very much.

What was the deciding factor that led you to a career with horses? Once I got into cutting I enjoyed it so much, I decided I wanted to make a career out of it. My high school principal told me I was only going to school to eat my lunch, so I might as well give it a go.

What age did you go ‘Pro’? I went Pro at 18 years old. I was probably one of the youngest trainers at the time.

Congratulations on winning the 2017 National Open Cutting Futurity, what does this win mean to you? It’s definitely a dream come true and it’s very exciting for our business and family. We have all worked very hard to have this dream made a reality.

Tell us about some of the other success you (and your wife Sam) had at the recent Championships. I made the Open Derby Final on Magicool placing 10th and Sam made the Non Pro Futurity final on QXH Hydrive Lady and QXH Chisums Playboy placing 7th and 12th. Our clients finaled in their events too on horses I trained.

‘Jamie Creek Cutting Horses’ is a family business, tell us about this. We all live on our property “Emersvale” and work together everyday. Sam and I work horses throughout the day and mum and dad do the ground work, feeding, catching, washing, rugging etc.

What are some of your other career highlights? The biggest highlight was winning the NCHA Futurity. It’s the pinnacle of our sport. I have also won the NCHA Derby twice in 2012 and 2013. I have won the Tatura Mare Stakes 3 times. Another achievement I was very proud of winning, was the Junior Youth
National Title.

Your wife Sam has had plenty of success herself as a ‘Non-Pro’ rider, how does that aspect of your relationship work? Most of the time we are in the arena together. Sam rides the help horse and turns back for me all day. We work horses together and float ideas off each other. If something isn’t working, looking or feeling right, we will work a solution out together. We work well together and it always helps to keep a sense of humour about it all.

Who has had the biggest impact on your riding and career? In years gone by I have had a lot of help from Corey Holden, Phil Dawson and Johnny Dudley. I went over to the States for a month and got to work with Paul Hansma and Johnny Mitchell and more recently I’ve had a fair bit of help from Aaron Wheatley.

Share a typical day in your life: We are outside at daylight catching horses to work. We normally work through the show team first and after lunch is 2 year olds and breakers. On a Monday, we work the mechanical cow and the rest of the week is cows.

Favourite training exercise: Working good, fresh cattle.

What keeps you motivated? The satisfaction of starting a young horse and turning it into a very successful cutting horse.

What special qualities does a horse need to make it to the top in cutting? Cow drive, athletic ability, trainability and a good mind/temperament.

What is the first thing you pack when you go away? My wife/loper.

Best advice you have been given: Follow your dreams and never give up.

What are your long-term goals? To win more age events at Tamworth and grow our business.

What do you like to do outside of horses? When I get time, I love fishing and I like to go hunting.

3 things that we don’t know about Jamie: My favourite food is chocolate, I love drinking Coke and I love watching the AFL Footy Show.

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