Winner of ASH Junior Judging Competition
 at Canberra 2009 & 2010.

Nell on her new hack, Marena Macquarie at NSW Hack Council HOY 2008 where she won Rider of the Year 17-21 years.

Nell Evans - of Robertson, NSW continues her love of showing horses with

her Thoroughbred gelding, Marena Macquarie.  Her two mares, Marena Memories and Thompsons Destiny have been retired to stud.

Memories produced a stunning brown filly  by our Thoroughbred stallion, Shifting.

Nell did her Higher School Certificate in 2008 and was able to continue showing throughout that year. 

A gap-year in 2009 gave her time to indulge her love of horses and garden design and do a run of the Western NSW shows.  Nell and her horses won several first places and Champions during this run.

2010 - Nell started at University of Canberra to study a double degree of Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Science.  Nell has a promising future in this field as she was awarded the University of  New South Wales Faculty of the Built Environment Young Designers Award for her HSC Major Project.  Nell was also 2nd in the State of her Design and Technology for exam  placing and her award winning project.

2010 - Morisset - Marena Macquarie - 1st Open Hack and Champion Hack & 1st Led ANSA.

2009 - Newcastle - 1st and Res. Champion Lady Rider at one of her first outings as a Lady Rider.

Canberra Royal - Won ASH Junior Judging competition and so qualified for the National Final at Sydney Royal 2010.

Sydney Royal - Macquarie won 2nd Led Thoroughbred Gelding

Macquarie won Champion Hack at St Ives and Moss Vale.

Nell made Top 10 Rider at both Pacific Coast and EFA HOY and also won many Firsts and Champions at Ag. Shows.

2008 - NSW HOY - Rider of the Year 17-21 yrs on Marena Macquarie.

Macquarie won seven firsts and five Reserve Champion in his first year out.

2007 - Was Marena Memories' last year of showing - she won 10 Championships, two 2nds at Sydney Royal and two Champions and a Reserve at the ASH National Championships at Camden.

Sydney Royal - Nell won 1st in Mount, Rider & Equipment and 3rd in her Riding class 15 & U17.

Nell is looking forward to completing in both Canberra and Sydney Royals and making another Western run.

Click here for more details and some history of Nell and her horses

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Marena Macquarie - Second in Led Thoroughbred Gelding Sydney 2009 - Led  by Lindy Walker.

Photo by Sydney Morning Herald - 2005

First in Gents Turnout - Sydney 2009

Will on Marena Heritage - NSW HOY 2008

Will on Heritage, 3rd at Canberra 2009

Click here for more details and some history of Will and his horses

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Will Evans - is a very unusual young man who likes the tough sports of Water Skiing, Wakeboarding and Barefoot along with many other interests including motorbike riding in Endurance Trials in the Snowy Mountains.

Will is equally at home on his Australian Stock Horse, Marena Heritage in working classes or dressed up in the Gentleman Rider.

Will works  in cabinet-making.  He enjoys making fine furniture and boutique water skis in his spare time and was recently featured in the Highland Magazine (Dec-Jan).

2010 started off in fine style for Will at Morisset Show with four places in Rider, ASH led & ridden and Show Hunter classes.

2009 - Canberra Royal - Won Pair of Riders with sister Nell and 4th in his Riding class.

 Heritage won 2nd Open Show Hunter

Sydney Royal - First in Mount, Rider & Equipment and 3rd in Riding class.

Pacific Coast - In Top 10 Riders.  Heritage was in Top 10 Show Hunters.

Will won several of his Riding classes at '09 Agricultural Shows whilst Heritage had many wins in ASH & ANSA classes.

On the Western run of shows in September '09 he won many Champions with Marena Heritage in Gent Rider, Ridden Open Hacks, Show Hunter and Stockhorse classes.

2008 - Top 10 EFA Rider of the Year.

Sydney Royal - 3rd in Mount, Rider & Equipment and 5th in Gent Rider.

Betty Tupper - Heritage won First and Champion Led ASH Gelding.

At Agricultural Shows during '08, Heritage won several Firsts and many Seconds in  Open Hack and Show Hunter classes.

2007 - Canberra Royal - Won ASH Junior Judging competition and also 2nd in ASH Associate Judging at ASH National Championships at Camden.

Will & Nell - Canberra 2009 - First Pair of Riders

Will working Marena Heritage in Ridden ASH -  Canberra 2009

Will on Marena Heritage - Champion Show Hunter - Newcastle 2009

Working Marena Heritage at EFA HOY 2008
Photo by Lorelle Mercer

Supreme Led of Show Frenchs Forrest 2008

Harriet with Nell Evans

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Harriet Hooke - Joined our team in April 2007.  After a short time Sandown Matinee Idol was  purchased for Harriet to continue her riding career. Harriet lives in Canberra and boards at  Frenchan School at Mittagong, regular riding is not an option for her. As Harriet wished to continue her riding , her parents, Mitch and Sarah, decided to ask us to assist with professional schooling and showing when Harriet was unavailable to ride.

Delayed by EI, Idol's first outing with us was Sydney Royal 2008.  As true Champions do, she took it in her stride, placing in several her classes as a four year old.  Since then Harriet and Idol have gone from strength to strength.  Winning at top level as well as at Agricultural Shows.

2009 - At Shows during '09 season Harriet and Idol won over 30 firsts and 17 Championships.

NSW HC HOY - Top 10 Galloway of the Year (placed 3rd over all)

NSW Riding Pony Show - Champion Ridden Show Pony, Champion Double Registered Pony, Champion Rider 12 - 15 yrs.

Canberra Royal - Champion Led ASP Exhibit, Reserve Champion Ridden ASP, 2nd Child's Galloway, 1st Local Galloway.

Pacific Coast - Top 10 Galloway,

NSW HC HOY - 1st Led Galloway mare.

Sydney Royal - 2nd Arabian Derivative Mare, 3rd ASP Mare.

2008 -In the spring  Sandown Matinee Idol won 20  Champions from September to mid November.

Picture at bottom right by courtesy of Alicia Birch - Harriet riding Idol  NSW HOY 2009

Sandown Matinee Idol - what a lovely head
Idol at Morisset 2009

Maeve riding Lady Liberty in November 2008

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Maeve Lawson - has a new Thoroughbred mare, Lady Liberty - Focus has been retired.  Maeve did her HSC in 2008 and so did not ride from after Sydney Royal  that year until after her exams.

Her new horse has had previous show experience. Their first show was Bulahdelah, Nov. 2008 where she won first in both Lady Rider and Open Hack.

At Morisset, January, 2009, Liberty won first and Champion Hack, first and Res. Champion Led ANSA whilst Maeve was first in the Adult Rider.

At 9 shows in 2009 Liberty won 6 Champions , led and ridden.

This year Maeve started at Macquarie Uni. doing Law but intends to continue with  showing Liberty.

Lady Liberty - Photo by Lorelle Mercer

Maeve on Focus who has now retired

Nikki & Secret are such good friends

Nikki on Toomba Royal Secret
Reserve Champion at St Ives 09

Nikki Melross - Pictured left on Marena Fanfare at Canberra Royal 2006.  Nikki accompanies us to Sydney and Canberra Royals.

Nikki is a keen rider and wishes to expand her competition goals towards Stock Horse and Western classes as well as hacking.

Pictured at top right riding Marena Outback in November, 2008.

We gave her the last mare from our miniature line that we have bred for 43 years, Marena Buttons and Bows who is enjoying a lovely retirement with Nikki.

Nikki has ridden dozens of our horses over the years but realised her dream when she purchased ASH mare Toomba Royal Secret in 2009, she was placed at ASH Nationals at Tamworth.

Nikki who is doing her H S C this year  won her Novice lady Rider at Castle Hill Show.

Nikki is a particularly loyal and active member of our Team regularly helping with the horses and junior riders.  Her determination to improve herself is a good example to all.

We wish Nilkki lots of luck with her new horse.

Canberra Royal 2009 - Nikki won first in Junior Hunter Class on Marena Outback.

Marena Fanfare

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Marena Outback at Bulahdelah in 2008

Nikki with Marena Sandpiper

Nikki on Secret at Newcastle '09

Morningside Stepalong

Champion Rider at  St Ives 2009

Georgia Coffey - Began riding lessons at Marena Riding Academy, with her sister, Alexa in November 2006 to learn Show Riding. They were previously attending Pony Club.

Georgia has shown great potential and has progressed quickly to become a very competitive rider. At shows Georgia rides Marena Stormy Lass, Marena Heartbeat, Marena Amber Flare and her new pony, Morningside Stepalong in Hack and Rider classes, winning many firsts and champions.

4th Mount, rider & Equipment O9 & U12 - Sydney Royal 2009

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Georgia and Marena Amber Flare had a good day
at St Ives in November, 2008.

Georgia - Champion Girl Rider - Morisset  2010 on Harriet Hooke's Sandown Idol

Alexa with Mayflower Paspaley (Pearl)

Alexa Coffey has an excellent black pony mare, Mayflower Paspaley. At their first show together Alexa won her Novice Rider under 13 yrs. She has progressed so well she now has a new pony to show in 2009, Marena Amber Flare. He is a son of triple Grand National winner, Marena Amber Folly.

The Coffeys have moved to a farm in the Yarramalong Valley close to Marena Stud so Alexa is improving her skills by riding many of our horses from the Shetland Victoria, to a hack, Marena Venture.

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Alexa - First Rider Morisset

Photo by Newdale Equine Services

Alexa having a lesson on
Marena Amber Flare at Marena Stud

Marena Amber Flare - Champion Led Pony at St Ives

First in her Riding class - Canberra Royal 2009

Champion Junior Handler - All Welsh Show '09

Lil Mills - .Lil has been riding since she was young and has had lots of fun at Pony Club but then became ambitious to try the Show world.  We expect big things from Lil in the future - Lil was Champion Girl Rider at Gosford in 2008.

Her Dad, Garry Mills is a keen Show and Campdraft rider from the Hunter Valley.   Gary worked for us years ago and her mother Kathryn was taught by us at Tall Timbers Pony Club.  They live at Jerry's Plains  and bring Lil down here for lessons, which means they are making a big effort on Lil’s part.

The Mills bought Lil's new horse, Beckworth Royal Appointment June 2009 and with him she has continued her success .

Lil has had a great year in 2009:-
  Reserve Champion Jnr Rider Morisset Show  
  Champion Jnr Rider Maitland Show
  Canberra Royal - 1st girl rider 7 to 9 yrs
                           - 1st pony club rider 7 to 9 yrs
                           - Ring Masters award
  Sydney Royal - 2nd Girl Rider 7 to 9yrs
                        - 3rd Open Pony n/e 11.2hh

Amongst Lil's other achievements:
Top Ten Rider Hack Council HOY 2008 & 09
NSW All Welsh Show 2008 - Champion Open Pony n/e 12.2hh
NSW All Welsh Show Champion - First Ridden Leading  Rein  2008 & 09
NSW Riding Pony Show 2009- Champion rider & Champion Jnr Handler
Singleton Show 2009 -  Reserve Champion Jnr. Rider
Dungog Show 2009 - Champion Pony Hack

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Champion Junior Handler and Champion Rider under 12 - NSW Riding Pony Show 2009

Carlee on Marena Sweet Kiss - 2006

Carlee Lind - Carlee first came to us on one of our Sport and Rec. Days several years ago.  She is a devoted member of our team and can be depended upon always to be there to help.  She is going to Canberra 2010 with us.

Carlee continues to show with us and is a great help on the Stud during the School Holidays.

Carlee used to ride the faithful Marena Sweet Kiss who has started so many children off in their show careers.

Carlee has now graduated to riding our galloway, Marena Outback.

Carlee is pictured at left winning her Novice Girl Rider on Marena Sweet Kiss.

Carlee will be going with us to Canberra Royal.

Good luck, Carlee.

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Riding Marena Outback - September 2009

Janet and Allengreen Delight

Marena Valour at Sydney Royal 2009
Photo by Lorelle Mercer

Janet Timmis - Janet first brought her son Chris and then her daughter Brooke for Riding lessons.  They are both grown up now and have successful careers in the Racing industry - Chris a trainer and Brooke a lady jockey.

It was then time for Janet to commence her lessons.  With increased interest she started Ariel Stud and purchased a Cedar Lodge Konrad colt, Marena Valour, and filly, Marena Karella at our "End of an Era Sale" in 2006.  Lindy trained and showed Marena Valour with success at Ag Shows including placings at Sydney Royal in 2009.

Since then Janet has started her own show career riding her APSB pony,  Allengreen Delight.  Winning and placing at several big Ag Shows towards the end of last year.  Janet has had a good start to 2010, winning the Intermediate Show Hunter Pony and 2nd in the Open at Morisset Ag.  Well done Janet, that just proves you are never to old to learn something new.

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Allengreen Delight

Marena Valour as a 2yo colt - mid winter

Astaire at Morisset 2010, ridden by Jane

Jane Greentree - (nee Newcombe) Jane was only a little girl in late1983  when she first came for lessons after her Dad bought a grey pony Marena Quickfire from us .  We have never lost touch with Jane.

Jane graduated from Orange Ag College.  She is married to Jason and has a son, Beejay.

Jane has lovely new horse, Newdale Astaire, who was a well known Racehorse "Can We Dance" that has now started out well winning Supreme Led and Hacking classes at the local shows.  Jane and Fred (Astaire) head to Canberra Royal this year (2010) for their first Royal and the to Sydney for the Led TB.

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Jane with Newdale Astaire,
Champion Led at Morisset 2009

Mel riding Marena Flare
at her first show in the Hack ring

Click here to read Melissa's story in our News

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Melissa Melton - Joined our team in July 2009 after replying to an Ad in the Local Newspaper.  Though not an experienced Show rider Melissa has had a load of  life's learning with horses and is very willing to take on board as much as she can. 

Melissa attended Tocal Agricultural Collage completing the  course.  Since July Melissa has ridden lots of different horses and ponies here at Marena from the Breaker to the well educated Show Horse. 

In January this year Mel rode at her first Show ever and won several firsts, then the following weekend won her Novice Adult rider on Marena Goldleaf. 

 We are all very excited to have Mel with us and think that she can make a name for herself in the showing world.

Photos at Right:
- Top - Melissa Barrel Racing on Silver.
- Bottom - Mel has an empathy with all horses that she has contact with, as shown here with her horse, Silver.

Marena Faith arriving back home
to Marena Stud

Olivia Salt - Commenced riding with us as a beginner in 2006.  Olivia has ridden many of our experienced School horses giving her the opportunity to ride different types of horses before she bought her own.  2010 saw Olivia's dream come true with purchase of one of our own home bred mares Marena Faith from Maddy De Marco.

We sold Faith to Sue Lyons of Qld. originally.  Since then she has had a couple of owners as well as having a foal.  It was very nice to welcome her back.   She has always lived up to her name as she is very faithful to her owners.

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Maddy De Marco, riding Faith
Photo by Phillip Atkinson Photography

Maddy loves her new horse, Agile

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Maddy Hodgetts - Maddy's parents, John and Sharon, purchased Tocal Agile for her in December 2009.  Agile being a Stock horse also gives Maddy the opportunity to not only compete in the  Hacking but ASH classes as well.

Maddy and her Mum, Sharon,
at Gosford 2009