Viewhill Farm in Yielima, Victoria, Australia | Horse trainer

Viewhill Farm

Locality: Yielima, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 437 490 916

Address: Picola North Rd 3638 Yielima, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.viewhillfarm.com

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25.01.2022 Separating myself from everything else has been a challenge. Nothing is permanent. I used to fall off all the time - now I mainly stay on. ... The idea of floating a horse by myself was terrifying. Now I take horses out without a second thought. I had a less than relaxing trail ride the other day. I thought urgh horse you are being such a pain. Actually, the horse was needing me to be there and offer some support. I needed to be the cheer squad for my horse. Its easy to be positive when everythings going well. The challenge lies in staying positive when in the unknown. These minions have the right idea. Bad ride? Or opportunity for growth? Thats something to cheer about.

25.01.2022 Double trouble with the pair of greys today - what beautiful weather to be our riding

24.01.2022 Viewhill Burberry - HSH hasnt had much attention since she was lightly backed a couple of years ago . Time to come back into work, and she acted like shes never been out. Some basic exercise for the next few weeks to build some fitness before we mount up

23.01.2022 When the colour comes through enough to reveal some bonus hind socks - and what about those dapples

23.01.2022 I love this time of year. This old ornamental grapevine reminds me of the seasons every time i walk out the door. In Autumn it turns this vibrant red, and in Spring it gets the most gorgeous scented blossom to welcome in the new season. Another absolutely perfect morning here.

22.01.2022 Sneak peek of this beautiful buckskin pinto filly. Would make a lovely broodmare or mount for an experienced rider.

21.01.2022 Another quality yearling in for some handling. A big strong type who would be ready to back and have some fun with. Quiet and sensible. To mature over 15h and is a big framed, well grown gelding. Merool Southern Son Sire - Myarra Southern Star National Maturity Winner 2014... Dam - Kennallywood Opal Performance on both sides of the pedigree and a depth of breeding for the show or cattle scene. Owner motivated to sell - grab a bargain.

21.01.2022 You are being very kind to that horse I was told this like it was a bad thing. Me- My mantra is I love this horse. ... A Coach - *scoffs* Yes, well, that may be alright for you, but we are a bit beyond that, i mean, these are imported horses with Olympic aspirations. Me- Burns red with embarrassment, fury, and then pity. I think the one thing we can never be is too kind to our horses. Sometimes kindness is expanding their comfort zones with training and education. Sometimes its a warm dry rug on a cold rainy day. Sometimes its pushing for a little more try, a little more effort, so come competition day they are not over faced or under prepared. Sometimes its setting a boundary and sticking to it no matter how confronting or uncomfortable we may find it. Sometimes its simply the guarantee of feed, friends and freedom, and the promise to always seek better, more ethical ways. Love the horse first, and the sport second.

21.01.2022 THE FOREVER HORSE This is a term that has exploded recently with both buyers and sellers using it in ads, like somehow this forever home is the holy grail of horse standards. No. ... When I was a kid, a wise horseman gave my parents this advice - You should always have two horses. One you’re moving off of, and one your moving on to. This always served us well, and if you think about it, this is exactly how it should be. How many of us are still driving the very first car we ever owned? And why is that? This idea of having one horse forever may be romantic, however it places an incredible amount of pressure on horse and rider, resulting in failure to meet our dreamy Disney expectations. A horse you’re moving off of, and one you’re moving onto. Look at the superb Valegro who has just been announced the horse of the decade, with Charlotte Dujardin named rider of the decade. Charlotte is now riding several other promising young horses and Valegro is teaching the next young aspiring Olympians the ropes. One you’re moving off of, and one you’re moving on to. Knowing where you are in the cycle will save a lot of heartache and misery. Pictured is a totally non related photo of foal whiskers because you’re welcome and if you don’t think they are the cutest thing ever then we can’t be friends.

20.01.2022 We are all worthy.

19.01.2022 We wish Maizie farewell as she embarks on her next journey in her new home. Thanks to everyone for your interest and kind words about this lovely filly.

19.01.2022 Sneak peek of Maizie - not just a pretty face

18.01.2022 Branding day today _V_

18.01.2022 I have been recommending practicing Yoga to a lot of my riders / owners, Yoga with Adriene being my favourite. I have done this workout a few times, and found my flexibility better every time. Heres the link if anyone is interested - its definitely worth giving it a go. https://youtu.be/-6gtrbl6RM0

17.01.2022 Thankyou so much to all our valued supporters, be it clients, equine professionals or friends and family. 2020 was a huge year and 2021 is looking just as exciting - I hope we all get to spend at least some of it behind a set of ears just like this.

17.01.2022 Be careful what you wish for. Things can always be worse. And things can always be better. I was thinking about how I was going to fit two extra horses in to my day. One of them got a hoof abscess and the other cut her hock. ... Problem solved. Picture of Portia the Poodle because shes beautiful and always knows how to find the best spot no matter where she is. Even if the flies are annoying.

15.01.2022 There seems to be some ridiculous idea going around that perfect horses not only exist, that they are the norm and any horse that isnt perfect is a problem horse, has issues, and the doubt creeps in that he should be cast aside for something more Perfect and Normal. I wish I could insert a picture of my face here after you read that paragraph. I might put it at the end so you can see how ridiculous that sounds to me. Whilst hanging on the warm up rail at Sydney Royal o...ne year, I had the privilege of watching the #1 rated Campdraft combo warm up. This horse is an absolute legend and has won everything in Australia there is to win. Both he and his jockey are veterans of the sport. Absolutely freakish to watch and an amazing combination. You know what he worked on in his warm up? Adjustability. He spent a lot of time working on forward and back, yielding left to right, gallop then check them gallop then stop, canter loose rein. The essence of everything he worked on was instant adjustability. I watched some Olympic Showjumping replay the other day. When one rider was halfway round, commentator Vicki Roycroft commented on how this horse was showing his greenness at this level, and how the rider was doing a great job helping him out. An Olympic competing horse. Described as green by someone experienced who could see the imperfections. To the average onlooker, he may have looked perfect. I watched a live feed of the top dressage competitors in Europe warming up prior to a competition. I could see the natural asymmetry in one horse, the rider spent a long time slowly getting more towards symmetrical as they warmed up. I watched another rider fiddling and adjusting her position constantly and saw the horse responding, until she was satisfied she was sitting straight and had the horse straight. She then performed some beautiful flying change sequences and canter pirouettes as easy as anything. I watched a high level well decorated Show Horse warming up before a class. The rider was having a catch ride and hadnt ridden the horse before. She had a smile from ear to ear and thought the horse was just perfect. Thats what happens when the horse is better than the rider. The rider cant feel or identify the small imperfections, and unaddressed, they grow into large imperfections. I watched that horse work out and pick up the incorrect canter lead as the rider didnt straighten and prepare the horse prior to the canter departure. She just said canter and so the horse did - on his dominant lead. No horse is Perfect. This is the norm. Anyone who thinks otherwise is growing this unfair illusion of perfectionism. We can chase the dream of perfect or celebrate the reality of great. And often more accurately the reality is somewhere along the spectrum of sort of ok long before it ever looks anything like great.

15.01.2022 Hey everyone. I have been busy updating the website this morning and it was really interesting reading back over some of the content on there. I had forgotten some of it even existed. Several of you guys are busting to know when the next clinics and training days will be so i am pleased to announce one will be held in Gippsland, Vic, likely the end of Feb but date TBA so let me know if you are in the area and keen. There is a little information about myself at the bottom of... the "Clinic" pages on the website so i will attach the link here for your information. https://www.viewhillfarm.com/clinics.html

15.01.2022 Update on Maizie

15.01.2022 About 50% of my business is taking on green or problem horses. The one thing every problem horse has in common? Their cup is empty. ... If you are familiar with Self Care and the concept of Filling ones cup first, you will understand the cup analogy. If not, get on your search engine and have a little sticky beak. It’s really easy to get a lot done with a horse who has a full cup. Unhandled horses can be handled and ridden within hours. Breakers can have a horse in started in a couple of weeks. Such talent. Such skill. Such horsemanship. And sometimes it is. The really incredible people can get a lot done with a horse in a short period of time and not empty his cup. This is my ultimate goal. For the others, they used up everything that was in the cup. Some horses go through their whole life without it ever being refilled. These horses are often described as tough, stubborn, lazy, unpredictable, quirky .... pick a label. My primary goal when working with any horse is firstly to preserve, and secondly to build what’s in the cup. It can take a lot of courage and self belief to choose to not work a horse that day to allow for processing or recovery time. Or to spend time hand grazing, finding itchy spots, hand feeding treats. To walk around, bending, flexing, asking for suppleness and relaxation, waiting for a breath, a deep sigh, a sign of acceptance and the letting go of any hard thoughts surrounding me or the training. My really amazing clients understand. They can see. And I am forever grateful and appreciative of the trust and autonomy they allow me with their special horses. It’s challenging standing next to a horse, waiting, waiting. Doing nothing. Especially when another trainer with a similar time frame has all the bells and whistles installed - it’s exciting to see, entertaining to watch. Standing next to, or on top of a horse for hours on end? Not so much. It’s so refreshing when I get a horse through with a full cup. I recently sent one home that was with me for two weeks. I rode him on day 1, he had his first canter on day 3, his first trail ride on day 5. And never looked back. The owner took him out along a busy road with a very narrow verge the day after he went home. He happily trailed on a loose rein, miles behind the horse in front. Loose, soft, swinging. Doesn’t get much better than that. It also doesn’t happen that often. An extra few weeks at the breakers can mean the difference between having a horse home with a full cup, and having one home running on fumes. I’ve never regretted going slow with a horse. I’ve sure regretted trying to speed things up though. Pictured is beautiful Viewhill Milky Way - HSH ASH having some quiet time standing around after working beautifully for his first ride back after a spell.

14.01.2022 Quickest way to make a sharp / sensitive / dramatic horse is to remove the cue or pressure too quickly. If i have a horse that responds too early, I put the cue on anyway. So lets say Im getting ready to ask for a canter transition, but I havent applied the canter cue, and my horse canters, well my legs are going on and sitting there for a couple of strides. Departing into the canter early is not something Im going to reward - this is just encouraging my horse to avoid t...he cue and rush rather than wait for me. When I get another chance to prepare to canter, I will do something that looks like canter but is not canter - so perhaps I ask for a few strides of half pass, a few strides of shoulder in, maybe even just some sitting trot into rising trot into sitting trot - something to make sure my horse is paying attention and allowing me to speak rather than interrupting me by finishing my sentences for me. Ill say it again - releasing an aid too quickly will start to develop hot, sensitive, reactive horses that you cant put the leg on. Everything slow, gradual- both the on and the off. Cute Max is pictured meeting the flag for the first time - I used approach and retreat, bringing it slowly yet surely towards and away from him until he was curious and brave enough to check it out.

13.01.2022 Some challenging conditions today, with well trained horses behaving despite the random gusts of 100km/hr winds, sideways hail and rain. We had a horse in the crush getting preg tested when this lovely storm passed through. Not ideal timing however she didnt bat an eyelid. Temperament, temperament, temperament. If you have the sound on and your wondering what the noise is, thats the hail on the tin roof

12.01.2022 How I introduce two reins prior to long reining / driving.

12.01.2022 The cost Theres a really good analogy about horse training that compares the horse to a piggy bank. The training we put in builds up a positive balance, so that when we make a withdrawal, there is enough training in the bank to have a good outcome. Sometimes deposits and withdrawals can be the exact same activity. ... For example, hauling a horse to an outing can be a withdrawal on the horses training if the horse is not ready within all the little steps that lead up to the outing. If there is enough money in the piggy bank, everyone survives, if not, then maybe we have a fall or the horse develops some unwanted coping strategies. That same outing could be a deposit when the horse is ready for that step - instead of the experience withdrawing from the training bank, it actually adds to it. The horse gains more understanding, trust and confidence. These moments present themselves every day with horses. Im always looking to try to set the horse up for success, to make those deposits rather than draw from them. Often that means asking slower, and asking less. Noticing the point where the horse is struggling, mentally or physically, and stopping. Waiting for the breath, for the let go. Even on a well trained, well seasoned horse, if we dont take some time putting in deposits, the horses become all used up. Sometimes we get so far into debt, theres no coming back.

12.01.2022 De worming time

12.01.2022 Maizie has had a nice spell and is back in work. She hasnt missed a beat and is all set to find her next home. 14.3hh, Palomino 6 yo ASH x Anglo Arabian, mare, eligible ASH and Part Arabian registration. She is by Merool Flash Boots - HSH and out of a Warrawee SPreem mare. Maizie is very straightforward to ride and is progressing well. She would suit an educated rider wanting to bring on a young horse. She is at that awkward stage where she is both too educated for a begi...nner and not educated enough - if you apply leg she understands to leg yield off it, but cant work out the difference between leg on and an unbalanced rider losing control of their leg - either way, shes leg yielding. So someone with some control of their limbs and seat is required. She is well suited to dressage as has good paces and a great lengthen stride which will only get better with strength and balance. She would also suit showing, or just be a fun horse to hack around for pleasure. She has been hauled out to go trail riding and has proved to be sensible out and about. She does need her hand held when things are scary, so no nervous riders who abandon their mounts as this will not be helpful for Maizies confidence. Happy to discuss her further, she is a fine build so would suit a smaller jockey. I would not hesitate to put a competent, confident and educated child on her. Located Nathalia Victoria. 4000.00.

12.01.2022 We have had young horses reach back and grab the stirrup and panic, either lodging the stirrup into their mouth or else the panic causing their jaw to lock, which is not a pleasant thing! Now my policy is they are either unsaddled or else the stirrups removed prior to tying up. Some of the work saddles have fenders that hang over the tree and cant be removed, so rather than take the stirrup irons off i have just crossed and tied them over the seat. ... when you just cant be trusted to make good choices .

11.01.2022 Our one and only 2019 drop foal. To say Im happy with him is an understatement. No rugs, weaned a couple of weeks ago, easy breezy. One for the future.

10.01.2022 I really like it when my horse gets to the point when we are warming up they seek to stretch their neck down and out, and loosen up over the back. Miles is an interesting case as often he seeks to stretch down, however when I take any contact he comes all the way up into frame. I haven’t got much in between all the way down and all the way up. This is something I’m working on, and attempting to avoid causing it in my other horses by releasing and taking a lot slower and more ...gradually. Usually I find the lowering of the neck first happens when my horse begins to relax, when they are feeling a little tension in the muscles and are seeking to experiment with how to shake out the tension. Sometimes they shake their necks first, sometimes they go up with the neck, sometimes down and under - it doesn’t really matter as long as I can see them starting to move their body and neck and loosen up - starting to shift around to find a more comfortable position. It is this process of exploration by the horse that is the valuable part. They learn how they can move their bodies while in motion, how they can balance while remaining loose and supple rather than holding a fixed, set frame and nobody . move . or . everything . shall . fall. It’s the freedom to explore and experiment where the value lies. This is why gadgets and tie downs aren’t the magic cure - sure, you have got the end result - kind of - but you missed the value of the process. As with many things in life, the magic happens in the process. Chasing the end result is a lesson in futility. Pictured is Milton, practicing how to have the perfect head position for selfies

09.01.2022 Hey everyone ! Thankyou to everyone who has sent me horses over the past year, it has been so much fun and lots of learning and evolving. Just a courtesy message to say 2020 bookings are closed and bookings are now being taken from February 2021 onwards. ... If you have been in touch and are awaiting a date or further information please get in touch asap. Thanks !

09.01.2022 How i feel everytime i wear my multipurpose yard/riding boots .

09.01.2022 The 3 second rule You know the three second rule right? When driving a car, you should leave a 3 second gap between you and the car in front. This is to allow for the human reaction time to be greater than the collision time in case of emergency. I encourage people to apply this same rule to the horses when training or warming up. Often times the horse hasnt had a chance to react to the cue before the rider is increasing the pressure. ... Give the horse a chance - theres a lot to be said for appropriate timing. Too slow and the horse wont understand the cue you are using. Too quick and the horse can become resentful, sharp, sticky, anxious, scared, stubborn or a combination of things. I see a lot more horses with too short a time gap than too long a time gap. The 3 second rule. Keep it in mind.

09.01.2022 Flashback to summer before someone ate a Bat and changed the world. I am available for 1:1 lessons again and hope to hold clinics soon-ish - I have tentatively rescheduled a couple that were postponed due to the epidemic, one in Narrandera for the first weekend in August and one in Gippsland for November. If you want to arrange or enquire about anything let me know, I have a busy few months coming up and i am starting to take bookings for horses in training for 2021 with 2020 pretty well booked out.

08.01.2022 It was a vaccination kind of weekend. I must admit, the skill to give injections was not something I ever thought about, as growing up with horses it was just something you had to do. Do you have a special skill thanks to horses?

08.01.2022 Pretty nice little ASH yearling gelding in for some handling and exposure. He is on the market if anyone is chasing an athletic, soft, switched on pony. Roseridge bloodlines.

08.01.2022 Safe to say little Maizie is coming along well and looking amazing. Wont be long and she will be available for viewing.

07.01.2022 We hauled Maizie and Miles out to Barmah for some exposure and experience. Beautiful sandy tracks, hills, and a quiet location. Maizie was super, handled motorbikes, scary scenery and the float trip like a pro. She is having a few well earned days off before being advertised for sale. If you are looking for a quality prospect to bring on, this could be her. Experienced, capeable riders only. Her ASH rego is pending and she will be eligible Palomino, Dilutes and Part Arabian as well.

07.01.2022 A little drive across the border today into NSW for some cross training in the sand hills - lovely to be able to go again thanks to border restrictions easing.

06.01.2022 I love the dramatic atmosphere that comes with a stormy sky.

06.01.2022 Maisies little progress video from unbroken to ready to go on with. Shes a lovely little filly looking for her ideal match.

05.01.2022 This . I find this very true of breakers as well, the ones that are lazy and wont go are often actually feeling like they CANT go - sometimes allowing them the time to find their own forward is more beneficial than driving them forward.

04.01.2022 A rather rainy day has given me the opportunity to catch up on some maintenance jobs, and as I moved a few horses around I took a moment to appreciate whats in the paddocks and how far things have progressed since starting the stud side of things in 2010. Being brand new to the breed and showing in general, from limited outings we have managed to bring home many champions in hand and under saddle, with some of the highlights below. 2018 VMC State Maturity title 4 x seperate...Continue reading

03.01.2022 Flare hasnt been ridden since February. Head up to the arena to find this. Wouldnt it be nice if they all cruised around so cool and calm.

03.01.2022 A quick snap of lovely Chalani Believe tonight. Her dapples are starting to pop, shes such a pretty mare. Anyone would think I like a grey

03.01.2022 STONEAGE BEACON - HSH ASH I have been asked quite a bit about Beacon standing at stud lately, so I thought I’d do a little post on his progeny. We selected Beacon for his pedigree and type, and he was my first taste of ribbons and success at Royal and State level. Beacon is solely bred to be a cattle horse - a Campdrafter - however he has produced some lovely show and dressage horses for me. Unfortunately he was plagued with illness as a 4 yo and due to time constraints I h...aven’t done much with him since. He was always a very soft and athletic horse to ride with a quiet, calm brain and very trainable. His progeny are proving to be no exception and the Viewhill babies we have bred and campaigned have exceeded expectations and boosted my success in the ASH ring further. Viewhill Solar - won Futurities, led awards and scored solid 8s in his first attempt at Dressage. Solar has been sold to a terrific home where he is much loved. Viewhill Flare - winner of the VMC State Maturity, Runner up Newcomer, numerous placings at ag shows and coursed at her first draft. She placed mid field at the National Maturity on our first ever attendance, and this was her 4th competition ever. She will be brought along now with the intention of further shows and Dressage. Viewhill Hollywood - led winner, hack winner, Newcomer Hack winner on debut and Runner Up Junior Hack of the show. Covid and now injury has sidelined Holly however she will be back in due course. One of the kindest, softest, easiest horses I’ve ever met. She is something special. Viewhill L.E.D - Multiple champion led awards and VMC Champion Led Yearling. Sold to a show home who say We will never part with her. Well we will buy her back in a flash if they ever do, she was an easy, delightful soft filly - one that got away. Viewhill Ultraviolet - Unshown to date, Violet received international interest and was almost sold to the USA as a yearling. Due to being under height they passed however she is proving to be another lovely soft filly with a huge amount of presence. This filly is retained and will be campaigned in due course. Viewhill Flash - Sold to a top Dressage home as a GP Dressage prospect. Time will tell how far he makes it, another tall, super type of performance ASH. Viewhill Milky Way - a personal favourite of mine, half brother to my grey gelding Viewhill Milestone. Milton, as he is known, has a large fan club already and is one I will bring on and see where he ends up showing his talents. Very personable horse with a huge character. That’s just a few of the Beacon progeny we have had the pleasure of knowing, every year I learn a little more and hope I can continue to grow to ensure these horses get the best chance to shine. I never really promote or broadcast Beacon as a sire however I am really proud of what he has produced for us and continues to produce.

02.01.2022 Aspiring UK Olympian Olivia Towers working with her Grand Prix Dressage gelding. What’s that? A highly trained Middle Aged gelding in a professional setting under a professional rider working on the response to picking up a lead rope in hand? Maybe there’s something to this groundwork stuff.

02.01.2022 Friday afternoons brought to you by the peanut gallery

02.01.2022 Anything for a bit of food . The beautiful Bowie .

02.01.2022 WINGARA CONDOR - HSH This kind 3 yo 15.1hh Condamine Romano gelding is still available. He just went home yesterday after commencing his breaking in and has been taken out in a group of unfamiliar horses on brand new trails with his owner who is very pleased with how he went. Videos are available and best to call his owner / breeder Angie on 0408 539 962.

01.01.2022 I definitely have discovered a deep love of Gypsy Cobs since a few have appeared in my life - Mr Handsome is a 3 yo purebred colt here for some handling.

01.01.2022 The warm up arena Given a chance, at any show or major event Ill be hanging off the fence in the warm up arena. While everyone else is in the grandstands, watching the competition classes, Ill be just fine glued to the warm up ring rail. If the rider is doing it right there wont be much to see in the competition ring. Harmonious, fluid, seamless performances that are easy to watch and allow us to choose one horse over the other - well that horse had a FAR better lengthe...n trot, the bay had SUCH a great canter .... the beautiful illusion of perfection. The warm up pen is a different story. HERE is where you see the good stuff. You see the horse that always halts a little crooked, and the rider reminding the horse to stay straight prior to entering the ring. You see the horse thats nervous about others coming up behind it, and the rider working on building his confidence. Theres the horse thats working beautifully and the rider struggling to remember the work out or keep awareness in their body. Theres the horse that needs sharpened up, and over there one that needs softened down. Even better than the warm up ring is the training ring - for here is where you see the actual methods and principals behind those beautiful show workouts. Here is where you may get to see gadgets, band aids and quick fixes, you may get to see slow, gradual shaping, you get to see the real life problems and not just the fantastic dream you see from the grand stands. Yes... the warm up ring is where its at. Watching the performance is great, however remember theres a lot that happens behind the scenes. Peggy the poodle is a pretty important behind the scenes bike rider and farm overseer to our operation.

01.01.2022 Is every behaviour problem a training problem ?