This article is from the May 2020 Horse Deals magazine.
A far cry from the shipping container with adjoining stables that Fiona Cooke first produced successful show horses from, this 15-acre property in Cardup, WA, is the result of a lifetime operating various equestrian properties. Teamed with her husband Paul, Fiona has discovered what works and what doesn’t with a property and believe it or not, this is their version of downsizing.
The name ‘Whitehill Farm’ originates from the look of the empty block that Paul and Fiona first purchased 15 years ago; the rectangle of land was just white sand on a slight rise — enough to call a hill in the flat land that surrounds Perth. The property was developed with a set image of what the Cooke’s wanted in mind; a place for their children to enjoy riding ponies and safe paddocks and facilities to run their boutique Thoroughbred spelling and postoperative care business. Among those requests was a U-shaped barn which was a non-negotiable.
“Ventilation has always been an important part of caring for my horses, especially the Thoroughbreds,” says Fiona, “and the ideal way to have both an aesthetically pleasing property and ventilation was to build a U-shaped barn. At the end of the day, we are running a business from here, so safety and functionality have been strongly considered through the design of the property.”
Taking a look through the property, you will see that there is unique charm around every corner, with Fiona taking particular pride in delicate decorative pieces she has selected to grace each area.
“I wouldn’t say that there’s a particular theme or style that we decided to go with,” Fiona laughs, “though there’s certainly a European influence which may have come from both Paul and I travelling quite a bit when we were younger. I think the rest of it is just my quirky style or sentimental to us — I’m always on the lookout for statues or pieces that will catch the eye and I am always looking for a bargain.”
“When we built the barn, I put in two pony stables, thinking that my children, George and Maddie, would have one pony each, but here we are with six ponies and only Maddie who rides regularly!”
Business or pleasure — I certainly wouldn’t mind working or residing at the beautiful Whitehill Farm.
Photos: Robyn Endersby Equestrian Photography & Fiona Cooke.
Article: Rachel Clayfield.
The fountain centre-piece in the front garden.
The entry to Whitehill Farm.
The grand entrance to the Cooke’s home.
Maddie walking two of her ponies through the entrance of the barn. The barn wraps around on either side to form the U-shape.
The horse shaped hedges are created using a frame and Fiona’s handywork. Fiona says that only once have they been taken out, which was by a Thoroughbred yearling with a very apologetic handler.
As you enter the barn (left of photo) the tackroom/office is just to the right. The barn building and stonework was by Daly and Shaw building company.
Entry to the tack room/office.
This tackroom/office space holds the required saddlery and is also a place that clients can relax and have a coffee or wine. The glass doors fold back. This is an ideal space for showing horses to clients as they can be led right past while the owner stays in comfort.
Saddles and saddle blankets on the left with a couch and much needed coffee station on the right.The antique furniture comes from Paul’s parent’s property in England.
Bridles hung up on show. Above are mini-blackboards which can be used to label each.
There are ten stables in the barn; eight 4x4m and two pony sized 4x3m boxes. The dividers are Laake-built from Germany and the wood is bamboo which has a high moisture resistance.
The pony boxes have a split door which allows the ponies to see out. The two boxes can also have the centre divider pushed over to make one 6x4m box.
Fiona's horse Friendly Shore, who she won the Emily Pelloe Memorial Turnout Class with at Perth Royal some years ago, is buried on the site of the barn. In his memory, she planted white gardenias as the hedges around the inside of the barn, as that is the flower pinned to the rider's jacket for these turnout classes.
The wash bay has hot and cold water with extensive lighting and power connections hanging for easy access for X-rays and treatments also clipping up.
Opposite the washbay, in the other corner is the rug room — that’s right, a whole room dedicated to rugs.
Halters on a rustic hanger made from railroad spikes.
The stable windows look out over the roses to the paddocks beyond.
This is the entry to the workman area at the back of the barn. The sign from Paul’s parent’s property hangs proudly.
The work area at the rear of the barn holds all the feeds with a laundry including washer and dryer along with the whiteboard to keep track of horses, feeds and treatments.
The machinery shed opposite the main barn houses the Rivenlee truck and floats.
The pool at the back of the house.
The poolside cabana which provides a perfect spot on a hot day.
The outdoor dining area. The arena is just through the hedge.
The entry into Fiona’s veggie garden. “Many people ask me where I got this old gate from, but it’s actually an old brass bedframe that I painted,” says Fiona.
Espalier apple trees create a wall along the vegetable garden area with Rosemary growing underneath. Fiona also grows various citruses — she says you have to have limes for G&Ts!
Star Jasmine grows in a lattice pattern across a wall of the house.
Ornamental pears line one side of the arena and Ficus trees across another to create a wind-break. The arena is edged with limestone retaining walls and has sandstone decorative pylons. For the chain Fiona insisted on non-galvanised so it would rust with time.
Hanging arena-side are the Cooke’s three Jack Russells; Archie, Harry and Ruby.
The guesthouse overlooking the pony jumping arena.
What was going to be a paddock for the ponies has now become a grass jumping arena.
Olive trees in front of the smaller paddocks which are built with electrified Horserail. Only the safest fencing was used because the property is primarily used for Thoroughbred spellers and post operative care.
Maddie riding in the 62x27m arena.
The guesthouse was originally built so instructors could travel from the east-coast to teach and have their own private place to stay.
One of four dual, open-ended stables which accompany the paddocks that line the driveway. The boxes are 6x5m and the horses are locked up at night for their safety and also so the pasture can be irrigated.
This is the pink ribbon garden. It is dedicated to breast cancer with a variety of pink roses and bulbs. “This is close to our hearts as our niece has been successfully fighting breast cancer for just over 15 years. Hayley lives overseas and in full bloom it reminds us of her achievements and how much we love her,” says Fiona.
Exterior yards with seating nearby. Fiona likes to create nooks that are perfect for wine or coffee drinking.
A dog statue proudly guards the front of the barn.
You know how I said Fiona loves a bargain? We’ll here’s one of them; a Statue of David that was discounted because he had broken feet. Fiona simply buried his legs in the nearly covered walkway and the problem was solved.
Another trinket that adds to the charm of the property.
The resting place of Jungle Boy has been moved with the Cooke’s from their old property. Fiona worked with him at Haddow Stud in the early 1990’s and cared for him in his later years. The pair of barbed wire sculptured balls were made by Fiona’s friend by using discarded wire from their old property.
The nearly hidden pathway which leads back through to the veggie garden.
Horseshoe art made by an artist from Martin Jaine Sculptures in Bassendean, WA. Fiona fell in love with the seat when she spotted it at Perth Royal and took it home as her ‘showbag.’
Paul had always wanted sheep so Fiona compromised and got him a pair of fiberglass sheep which they like to move around the property.
It seems that Fiona has a statue hidden in every corner.
It seems that Fiona has a statue hidden in every corner.
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