Horse's Tale - Gordonvale Casanova

This story is from July 2019 magazine.

Stable name: Nova

Height: 15hh

Age: 6 years old

Breeding: Quiera Cassie HSH x Royalle Heartacre LH

Owner and rider: Fiona Gordon

Top 5 results:
• 2016 Australian Stock Horse Nationals Supreme Hack
• 2017 ASH Victorian State Championship Winning Supreme Led and Supreme Ridden
• 2019 Sydney Royal Champion Hack ASH
• 2019 Sydney Royal Champion Working ASH
• 2019 RM Williams Most Versatile Australian Stock Horse

When you bred Nova what were your breeding intentions?
Nova was supposed to come out a black filly, but instead I got a chestnut colt (just what I didn’t want!). I had bred this combination together hoping to get a versatile horse that was athletic and “cowy” enough to campdraft, but also a good enough type to compete in the Stock Horse show ring.

What was he like as a young horse?
Nova came into the world flash with his white socks and blaze, and boy did he know it. He was the most cheeky and playful colt foal you would ever find and was always a good type that never went through the “ugly duckling stage.” His poor mother never got a minute’s peace as he was constantly playing with her.

How did he cope with the starting process?
We always joked that Nova had “read the book” and had been here before. Everything that I threw at him he just did, which also had its downside as he always thought he knew better.

What was your first ride on him like?
When it came time for his first ride, he spent about five minutes in the round yard, and because he just felt like an old broke horse I rode him straight out into the paddock and helped move a mob of cattle, and that’s how it went.

Did you have any training issues?
At times there were issues that came up, especially when he thought he knew everything. I just had to keep reminding myself that he was still such a young horse and even though he was super talented I must take him slowly, make a strong foundation of building blocks so I have this horse for years to come.

What was his first show and how did he handle it?
I’m not really into showing weanlings, but I was so excited to get Nova out so I took him to a foal show at Hawkesbury where he was Supreme Young Horse of the show. From Nova’s very first show he never put a foot wrong.

Congratulations on a very successful Sydney Royal. Can you tell us about how you and Nova went?
Thank you, 2019 Sydney Royal show was a dream come true. It has always been one of those events growing up watching and thinking how exciting it would be to be a part of. For years I never had the success I had been working for, with a feeling like I was Sydney Royal cursed! Well, this year proved that there is no curse and with a lot of hard work and determination, dreams can come true. This year Gordonvale Casanova was awarded Champion ASH Hack, Champion ASH Working, 2nd in the small arena campdraft and station horse and overall winner of the RM Williams Most Versatile Stock Horse.

What has been the key in training Nova to be so successful in both the hack and working events?
First of all you need a horse that has the ability, ring presence, type, and a mind to handle the difference between hack and working. This is something as a trainer I have had to work on a technique to train a horse that can be successful in both events, as both require different techniques to blend together.

What did Nova’s job in the Sydney Royal night-time entertainment involve?
It was really exciting to be a part of the “Million Dreams” night-time main arena entertainment with Nova and I was very proud of the way he handled the difficult environment. The job included performing alongside giant inflatable illuminated horse heads operated by talented dancers, as we performed a choreographed flag ride routine.

What type of preparation did Nova have to complete beforehand?
Nova was already in show prep mode to compete in the ASH classes, so all he had to do was get used to working alongside the inflatable horses carrying a flag with all the lights and music of the main arena. As always he took it in his stride.

Strongest personality trait?
Being a pest.

Preferred work environment?
Nova gets worked wherever I tell him to, but when it comes to stopping and turning his preferred environment is a soft sand surface to sit down into.

Work ethic?
Nova is always at the gate waiting to go to work. He has always had such a great work ethic. Right from when he was young I remember he used to open his mouth to take the bit when he was a yearling and still does it today. He loads himself up into the truck.

How does he handle big occasions?
He doesn’t change. It wouldn’t matter if he was at a clinic or competing at the Nationals, he just goes to work and gets the job done.

Weekly training regime?
Nova is now at the stage where he just needs to stay fit, have a quick tune-up and he is good to go.

What has he taught you as a rider?
So many things, probably the confidence to trust not only my ability as a trainer but the horse underneath me. It is a lot easier to learn and better yourself as a rider when you are sitting on a horse with loads of ability that can take you to the next level.

Does he have a best friend?
The food bucket.

What is the first thing on your shopping list for him?
Nothing... he doesn’t get a shopping list because he destroys everything.

When was the last time he made you laugh or cry?
Winning Most Versatile Stock Horse at Sydney Royal this year. It was an emotional day.

Most treasured moment together?
Apart from his big wins, galloping across the main arena under the lights at Sydney Royal carrying the Australian flag, knowing that I was sitting on a horse I bred and trained was an incredible feeling that made me so proud.

What celebrity does he remind you of?
I’m thinking Zac Efron because he is good looking, athletic, likes to take his clothes off and is a bit of a smart arse.

Does he get much downtime during the year?
Nova gets downtime in between the campdraft and show seasons, but he does tend to get bored when he is not in work so he gets pulled in to get jobs done when needed.

*The next 12 months… *
Nova will be ramping up his campdraft career, but also going to the big events on the ASH calendar.

What would you trade him for?
To have his mum back!

Most annoying habits?
Ripping his rugs - It’s lucky he wins a lot of rugs because he is terrible at ripping not only his own rugs off, but anyone else’s he can get to.
Untying himself - There is no knot Nova cannot untie. Trust me, I’ve tried. I have resorted to attaching a clip at the end of a short lead so he can be secured anywhere without getting off.

3 things we don’t know about Gordonvale Casanova?
1. He is a bit of a pansy. Things that should scare him don’t, but then he will shy at a stick on the ground.
2. He is embarrassed to pee in public.
3. Can be nasty at meal times.

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