The Scoop on Stuart Tinney (OAM)

This story appeared in June 2017 Horse Deals magazine. To see what's in the current magazine, click here

Age? 53.

Lives? Maraylya, NSW.

Occupation?
Full time event rider, plus horse trainer/coach.

Family history with horses?
My father, Brian introduced me to horses, plus cattle. So most of my very early years were mustering and bull riding (which I did not like too much) then I picked up pony club and that was an ideal fit for me and I went on from there.

What age did you start riding?
Seven.

Tell us about your first pony?
Well my first pony was ‘Candy’ she was borrowed from a friend, a little white pony that seriously kicked. I had to stand by myself at pony club with a red ribbon in her tail, as she was known to line up and run backwards to kick other ponies.

What was the deciding factor that led to a career with horses?
I had always felt very close to horses, and enjoyed their company. Pony club was the first structural path I took, then official eventing followed, but I always wanted to ride for Australia and when I was offered a student position at Wayne and Vicki Roycroft’s when I was 18 it all began to evolve to International level.

Congratulations on being nominated for NSW Athlete of the Year 2016 and even more recently being inducted into the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame! What did these nominations and awards mean to you?
I always feel honoured with awards of this calibre. It is a real sense of achievement.

You have represented Australia at three Olympics and four World Equestrian Games, this is an outstanding achievement. Are there plans for more International competition?
Perhaps 2018 WEG in North Carolina? I have been to three Olympics now with Rio last year, plus Sydney and Athens. Yes, of course that is what I always aim for, WEG’s and Olympics... that’s my main focus with all my horses.

What will your preparations involve?
I will train the horses towards that as my end goal, so choosing the right events and ones that matter, and to qualify them.

Olympic selection requires an enormous amount of commitment and sacrifice, can you give us an insight into this?
Goodness, I think one has to be a bit selfish, however I do try to have some time for my family (little, but I like to be at home as much as possible). It takes a lot of mental and physical strength, plus a great deal of family support. But as it’s such an expensive sport and I am full time as an eventer, I really need my sponsors to help me achieve these goals. I have had CopRice, Bates, Horseland and Ceva/Naturevet beside me from 2000, so that is amazing loyalty. Also I have had the best owners which have supported me for the same amount of time, Kathy Ward and Pete O’Connell - Ava, Vettori and Queen Mary. Both Ava and Vettori went to World Games. Tim Game - Boxster, Carrera and Panamera. Carrera was Reserve for Athens Olympics and Panamera short listed for London and was also Australian Champion. Then more recently John and Jane Pittard - Pluto Mio and Annapurna. Pluto going to World Games, plus Olympics and hopefully Anna will be on her way there too with Gemma. Corrina and Darren Huskinson came on board with Wark Hawk and he is being campaigned for WEG 2018. All our owners have been one of the links to our success and we are truly grateful.

It takes a special horse to represent our Country and you have had many. What do these horses have that gives them the edge? Jeepster, Pluto Mio, Ava, Carrera, Vettori and Tex have all represented Australia. They were so different but all talented. The edge - that’s a hard one, however soundness is very important, plus their ability to join in. Each horse was individual, but all were World class and it just takes a lot of structure and solid training to get the best out of them. War Hawk is definitely a crowd favourite. Will there be another Adelaide 4 four star start this year for the grey gelding? Yes, that is the plan.

Last year you spent some time ‘Horse Shopping’ in Germany and Denmark. Can you tell us about your new additions? We needed to increase our team. Germany has some super horses if you know where to look. It takes time to see them all and we are very fussy and have a strict criteria. We have three for our team, Celebration (owned by Elisabeth Brinton), Diabolo (owned by Tim Game) and our own Leporis. They are 5/6 year olds and of course we hope all three to be seen on the World Stage in the future.

You find yourself competing against your daughter Gemma frequently. What is your competition relationship like with her?
It’s very good actually. She is very easy to deal with and logical, which helps.

Share a typical day in your life?
We have tried to consolidate over the past 18 months so we are just riding our own horses and owners horses. The day starts with answering emails - then riding up until lunch time (1 ish). We have eight in work, Karen and I do all the riding. The afternoon is watching movies! Only joking. We get back online to follow up all sorts of admin stuff. I am involved with the eventing safety committee, I am a course designer and I have a few students that I coach. Plus, there is always work to be done on the property.

Do you have a favourite training exercise?
I like all sorts but a lot of lateral work in dressage, it will depend on what my particular horse requires... so lots.

You’ve had an enormously successful career, what are some of the highlights?
My highlights were upmost and foremost winning GOLD on home soil. There are many other highlights (plus low), I guess representing Australia on any level has to be up there, plus my OAM and inductions. I feel I have achieved a lot. However another GOLD would be nice.

What is the best part about a career with horses?
Not sure there is a ‘best part’ but holistically it has great reward working with them. It brings along some great people too in eventing and I like that.

Who has had the biggest influence on your riding career?
Well, it would have to have been my father early, then Wayne and Vicki Roycroft, and then Karen.

What do you like to do outside of horses?
I like golf, but play about once a year. I also like to relax and get away from here for a few days, again that is rare, but when it happens Karen and I say ‘we must do this more often‘ ... then we don’t.

Many young riders dream of representing their country, what words of advice would you offer them?
You need hunger, dedication and drive, plus money and support. We have some of the best event riders in the world here so anything is possible. You can always make your dream a reality if you put your mind and soul into it.

Two things we don’t know about you?
1. I am colour blind
2. Ask my wife!

Sponsors?
CopRice, Bates, Horseland and CEVA are our main sponsors - then EA, ProTeq and Ecomist.

Story from Horse Deals Magazine June 2017

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