Garryowen First Timer - Chantel Thomas & Ponderosa Stud Lovely

This article is from the November 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

"When I was a little girl going to the Melbourne show, I remember sitting there and watching these older ladies in the Garryowen,” explains Chantel Thomas from Wallan in Victoria. “I was fixated and my family could leave me there because they knew I would not move. I did not want to go on rides, I did not want show bags, I just wanted to watch the horses. I always dreamt that I would get out there when I was an ‘older lady’ and ride in those classes, but I didn’t really know the story of Violet Murrell and Garryowen until I was in my 20s. I knew about the tragic fire, but I did not know much about the memorial class conducted each year at Melbourne and what was involved until a few years ago.

“Three years ago a friend introduced me to showing. I had never had anything to do with it or even seen it. I have always had horses in my life and have ridden and still ride dressage. When my daughter gave up riding at 17 I took over the ride on her Ponderosa Stud Lovely that we purchased from the stud as a just broken in youngster a few years before. We clicked and have gone from strength to strength. I decided to go out and try showing and loved it; loved everything about it, the people and the atmosphere etc. I went to the agricultural shows, the ones close to home like Kilmore and Bendigo. I thought, I really want to give this a crack, life is for living and I want to try to get to the Garryowen.

“Initially I was going to try and qualify for Melbourne Royal and the Garryowen in 2017, but I was diagnosed with ovarian tumours just when I was about to go on my first Wimmera run of shows. That put me back a good 18 months. Also during that time, when I was still recovering, I underwent a career change. After I was sick, I decided to become a nurse. When I was in hospital, if it wasn’t for the nurses who took care of me and my husband as well, I don’t think we would have coped as well as we did. I thought, I really hope I can make someone feel like this when they are unwell, so I studied nursing and I love it. I think too, that now I am nearly 40, it was time for me to have a career change. I was in oil, gas and mining for over ten years. Now that I do something with other human beings and something at the most vulnerable time in their lives, it is really fulfilling and I love being a part of it. I work in Renal Transplant and Neurology at St Vincents Public Hospital. It is challenging and rewarding and there is lots of sadness, but also a lot of happiness when we have a positive outcome; say with a stroke patient that after care with us at 10 East can walk out and go home to be with their family. It is really amazing the work they do there. The hospital is amazing and I am so proud to say I’m a nurse who works there.

“Because of all that, I felt more passionate about life being there to be lived and to go for every dream you have. Last year I went out and did ten shows in three weeks to make sure I had qualified for Melbourne Show and therefore the Garryowen. I then reached out by telephone message to two time Garryowen winner, Rebecca Farrow, because I wanted to put my best foot forward as a participant; I did not want to go out there half done. I had watched Rebecca ride beautifully for years and I really wanted a mentor, someone that I could look up to and who would guide me along the right path. She called back with a lovely message, saying she would be honoured to mentor me in my quest to do the Garryowen. We made contact and soon it was like we had been friends forever. She has just been my pillar - teaching me and explaining the significance of the costume and what purpose it all serves.

“I had the horse and needed the clothes and unfortunately my body is not built for second-hand clothes, so I went to Caroline and Peter at Wagner’s. The first things to arrive were my boots and I almost got RSI from polishing them. My outfit was still being made, three weeks before the competition, but Caroline has it all down to a fine art. There were a few of us needing last-minute attention and nothing was ever too much trouble for Caroline and she really made me feel special, and when I finally put all the clothes on, the feeling was indescribable. I did do a few naughty things with my gear and hacked out up the hill at home in it, just to break it in a little. I got an indentation in my boot from leaning on a gate and when Caroline saw it, she did wonder what I had been doing.

“I scored very well with my saddlery. I have never had a saddle made to measure for my horse and me and it is the most beautiful saddle I have ever sat in. I was concerned that it be both comfortable for my horse and for me and I really felt so connected with my horse through that saddle. I rode in it a bit to get used to it before the show and sent it back to the saddler to be prepared for the class.
The Garryowen high tea was emotional, heartwarming and just so beautiful to be a part of. The way the RAS do it makes it so special. There is a video presentation telling the story of Violet and Garryowen, with voice-overs from some of her great-nieces. The magnificent garland is hanging up on display along with the trophy and that is as close as many of us will get to it. I couldn’t stop smiling and crying. And also you are sitting with all your fellow competitors who become your friends.

“I met some beautiful people who were stabled across from me, Simon De Leeuw and Leah Walsh. They just made me feel so welcome and guided me to the where’s and when’s of the showgrounds and never failed to invite me to be with them when I was on my own. They were so inclusive and I really felt a part of something.

“On the morning of the competition, my camp was stress-free. Nothing went wrong and I felt relaxed, but my cheeks were sore from so much smiling. I got emotional getting dressed in Wagner’s with Rebecca coming to put my gardenia on. That was really special; I don’t think I could have made it without Rebecca. My team, Jodi, Emmie, Laura, Javais and Rianna couldn’t do enough for me. I have known some of them since they were little girls and they are all grown up now. It is the people behind you that really bring you up. I just loved every minute of it, it was amazing.

“I think I was just too excited that I was riding in the Garryowen and I did not put my best foot forward in the workout; I couldn’t contain my excitement. But I really felt like I was a winner and it did not matter how I fared on the day and when they played the national anthem, I found it hard not to cry. I felt so proud to be in that event, I felt uplifted. I was with my fellow competitors and we were all just happy to be there. I have ridden overseas, but there is no experience like the Garryowen.

“This was the first of many - oh yeah, I can’t wait. I am already excited about next year and I want to get out and do some shows to make sure I qualify for Melbourne 2020. I was so devastated when it was all over; I want to do it all over again, right now.”

Article Written By Anna Sharply

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