Horse's Tale: Annapurna

As seen in the April 2019 issue of Horse Deals magazine.

Stable name: Anna
Height: 16.2hh
Age: 14
Breeding: WB/TB
Owner: John and Jane Pittard, Stuart and Karen Tinney
Rider: Gemma Tinney
Top 5 Results:
• CCI4-S Australian Championships 2017 1st 
• CCI3-L Oceana Championships Melbourne 3DE 2nd overall and 1st YR 2017 team 
• CCI3-L Adelaide 3DE 3rd and 1st YR 2017
• CCI4-L Melbourne 3DE 3rd 2018
• CCI5*-L Adelaide 3DE 6th 2018

How did Anna come into your life? Well when Anna was around six years old she came to Tinney Eventing for Dad to ride. For around four years she competed with Dad up to 4 star level and qualified for 5 star at Adelaide. She’s a very special horse with special quirks. She needed a lot of time to prep for events, which Dad just didn’t have time for. I got the ride as I was without a horse of my own at the time. And safe to say, it is my fourth year riding this special mare, and Dad won’t be getting her back!

When did you have your first ride and what was it like? Well I don’t remember my first ride as I ride Dad’s horses often. But I remember our first event together. It was SIEC mid week in February 2016 and we did the 2 star and almost finished last. I then went on to do the SIEC weekend a day later in the 3 star and we won. It didn’t take me long to click with her.

How did you convince Stuart to hand over the reins? There was no convincing - Mum and Dad actually suggested it.

How has your partnership evolved over the past three years? It’s been hard work, but I’ve loved every second. She’s the kind of horse that if you ride well she will try her hardest and I believe she has made me the rider I am today.

Congratulations on competing in your first 5* on Anna at Adelaide last year. How did she feel around the challenging cross country?* A few areas she was a little sticky, but I knew where I needed to ride her well. But she felt as confident as she could have at the time, which was enough to get us both around.

Most annoying habit or quirk? She doesn’t like to be touched anywhere other than pats on the face. When putting a saddle and a rug on her, she can be a little tricky and aggressive.

Strongest personality trait? She actually enjoys coming up to the yard and being ridden. She loves her job, no doubt about it.

Preferred work environment? At home.

Work ethic? A little too good at times.

How does she handle the big occasions? No matter what the atmosphere is like, she is no different.

Weekly training regime? She’s ridden six to seven days a week. Lots of hacks up the roads and dressage.

What has she taught you as a rider? How to handle a hot horse! She’s got lots of energy, which consists of riding her almost the same every day. She’s taught me patience, but also to be a better rider in all three phases, as nothing is easy with Anna.

Does she have a best friend? Yes, the only horse she can bear is her half-brother Pluto Mio. They live in a paddock together.

What is the first thing on your shopping list for her? Apples.

When was the last time she made you laugh or cry? When I took her cross country schooling a week or so ago and I went to jump over a 60cm log and she stopped. That made me laugh.

Most treasured moment together? Placing at our first Adelaide 5*.

Does she get much downtime during the year? Not a lot, however she did have four weeks off in late June last year, and two months off after Adelaide.

What’s the plan with Anna for the next 12 months? The plan is to hopefully get on the Oceana Senior Team in Taupo in May. And to then maybe do Adelaide 5 star at the end of the year.

3 things we don’t know about Annapurna?
1. Pluto Mio is her half-brother.
2. Loves face pats. 
3. Loves getting her forelock and mane plaited. 

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