Signature Property - Bridgewater Stables

This article is from the February 2021 Horse Deals magazine.

Not many people are overcome with joy at turning the big 50. But for Tonia Wheeler, from Armidale, making it to half a century came with some significant bonuses in the form of a six-horse recycled timber stable block and an Olympic sized undercover arena.

Built by her husband Bill, they were the finishing touches on their serene equestrian property called Bridgewater Stables, located around 10 kilometres out of the New England city of Armidale.

After meeting at the Bonshaw Goat Races, Tonia and Bill became good mates, and after rearranging the deck chairs they were married in 1987.

A chance inspection of a 100-acre block on the eastern side of Armidale led to the purchase of what is now called Bridgewater Stables on Commissioners Waters.

The block was bare and with their first child due they set about the construction of their home, a modest weatherboard home with traditional bullnose verandah all around. Moving in well before the house was completed presented some challenges, however with several additions, renovations and the establishment of a significant country garden over the last 32 years, the couple has created a home that holds precious memories for their three children, their grandchildren, friends and families.

“Early on in the relationship I understood that there was more to Tonia than just a pretty young girl,” said Bill. “If you were to take on Tonia you also took on her love of horses. Hardly a day passes that she does not find herself on a horse.”

Bill’s own journey with horses commenced after an off-hand comment about Tonia’s pace on the cross country phase at a local event. Tonia’s response was “well if you are so bloody clever – you have a go.” So he did and spent the next 15 years eventing and showjumping. More recently Bill is focusing on matching Tonia’s impressive performances in the dressage arena.

The impressive and practical barn at Bridgewater Stables is a combination of recycled timber, steel and marine plywood and the large covered arena was based on Tim Court’s design for the Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre at Tamworth.

At Bridgewater Stables, agistees and members of the local riding community are lucky enough to share the impressive equestrian facilities and enjoy regular clinics with Brett Parbery and llse Schwarz, David Shoobridge and Terry Cowen providing constant exposure to equestrian trainers of the highest level.

With frontage to Commissioners Waters on the southern boundary, direct access to water proved invaluable and the horse paddocks feature 1.4m horse mesh fencing with sight wire on top. Bill says he has learnt that good fencing works out far cheaper than vet fees and heartache.

Even though they are both now on the other side of 60, Bill and Tonia now have five horses in work through a partnership developed with Jane and Peter Bartram at Hollands Bend Warmbloods. Currently competing two established horses by Royal Classic and Just de Pomme, as well as their young horses by Floriscount, Vitalis, For Romance and Sezuan.

Bill and Tonia say the horses keep them busy, fit and focused, recently travelling to Aachen for the World Equestrian Festival and Olympia London to see Valegro’s final performance and retirement.

More importantly, they have been able to travel throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria and compete and attend clinics together for many years, and see no reason for this to change in the near future.

However, nothing beats returning to their sprawling acreage, with its welcoming homestead and top of the range equestrian facilities they happily share with the local equestrian community.

Photos & article: Rochelle Tubb.

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