Introducing our next Off the Track Qualifier, Stanlally Gold or Stanley to his friends, is by the beautiful stallion Dr Johnson who has produced so many gorgeous hacks and showhunters out of Candys Sheba. Stanley qualified by winning a hotly contested OTT class at Serpentine on the weekend. Here is his track to hack story as told by Alex Edwards his owner. Stanlally Gold 2004 16.2¼hh chestnut gelding Sire: Dr Johnson Dam: Candy’s Sheba (USA) In 2004, Peter Hennessey was on a visit to the stud where Dr Johnson was standing to look at another colt that had been advertised. Peter was, in his own words ‘A lover of Dr Johnson blood’ and was searching for the best of his progeny. Upon arrival he asked stud manager Denis Burgess if the mare Candy’s Sheba had foaled yet (Stanley had been on his radar long before he was born), and was told that she had a colt just 7 days ago, and that he was the best looking one on the property. Excited, he asked if he might see the colt, and the rest is history as they say. He fell in love with him and purchased him 20 days later. Stanley was a ‘people person’ even back then, striding up to Peter curiously even though he had been relatively unhandled. He’s still the same now, and will usually come running from the other side of the paddock when called. His favourite pastime used to be following my granddad while he mucked out the yards! Peter named him after his parents, Stanley and Helen, who was called Lally by her grandchildren at the time. I came across Stanley in 2007/2008 while I was riding track-work for Walter Murray in Brookdale. I was competing in show jumping at the time and he naturally caught my eye, being strong and well put together, yet still elegant and refined through the head. After 7 disappointing trials and 1 race start at Narrogin over 1700m, Peter approached me and asked if I would like to keep the horse, as he’d seen me at trials with him and knew I loved Stanley just as much as he did. Of course I agreed. I brought him home with me, gave him 6 months off and then started his education as a show jumper. He showed a lot of talent in this area, he is naturally balanced and has good form over a jump and recieved positive comments from both my jump instructors at the time, Alison Rowland and Jamie Coman. He trained to 1.25m at home and competed lightly to 1.15m (D grade EA), but I felt he needed some more time to mature mentally, so in 2012 I took him to his first unofficial hack show where he went Champion Hack. After a light season of unofficial outings, he had proven himself enough for me to consider moving on to the official ring. He had his first official outing at Bunbury Ag show in 2013 and was placed Reserve Champion Show Hunter. He has been consistant in the hunter ring since then, with more Champions or Reserves than I can count, placings at his first Perth Royal Show, and then taking out Foundation Show Hunter at SHCWA’s Horse of the Year show. He was also Reserve Champion Childs Hunter at SHCWA Classic earlier this year with 16yo Rhys Stanley aboard. Stanley is a genuine allrounder, he’s competetive in many disciplines, yet will still enjoy a nice quiet hack out on the road or in the bush (with or without company), or a morning at the beach (he’s an excellent ‘lead pony’!). He is also a full brother to fellow OTT WA series finalist, Vanity Fair (Dr Willow Anne), owned by Kellie Patterson. I am forever grateful to Peter for his generosity and trust in looking after his baby, his keen eye for a good horse and I hope we will continue to make him proud! Good luck in the Final Alex and Stanley !
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 03:06:42 +0000
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