By Riders For Riders
Some people call horse-riding a sport. But it’s a sport you can play at all ages. It’s a sport you play alongside your best friend. It’s a sport that builds belonging and community. And to really get this sport you need to ride, and keep riding, at every stage. After 40 years in the saddle, and riders from our board to our store, we can safely say that everything we do is for riders.
Justine Mizzi - Direct Supply Coordinator (20 Years)
Favourite part of your job - Relationships I have made through my time with Horseland
Funniest riding moment
Funny now, but wasn’t at the time… when I fell off into the water jump at Bulla Horse Trials. Monty just stopped and stared at me ‘What are you doing down there mum?’
Your equestrian hero.
My pony, Monty
Your first memory of Horseland
Me & my Pony Club friends used to line up out the front of Horseland Ringwood in our PJ’s ready for the annual Pyjama Party & Car Park Tent Sale – so much fun! It was a really surreal experience to start my working life at the very same store years later and be behind the counter for my first PJ Party as a staff member!
How long have you been riding for
Ummm over 30 years!
When did you fall in love with horses?
When my mum & dad bought me my first pony, Peggie Sue. She taught me everything I know and she was such a grumpy grey mare, but I just loved her. She has been lucky enough to be a Horseland cover model, and now is buried in my back paddock xo
What is your favourite discipline
I spent most of my riding life as a showy, but in the last few years have made the switch to eventing and I now call Cross Country my favourite! I also love to go out on trail rides with friends
How many horses do you have
At the moment, 4.
Tenielle Klapp - Product Developer for Rug, Dog & Fly Mask categories (almost 4 Years)
Favourite part of your job - Being around and working with horses
Your first memory of Horseland
Driving past the Greensborough store and always pointing out the horse on the roof to mum!
How long have you been riding for
17 to 18 years
When did you fall in love with horses?
Very young age before I could walk it think!
What is your favourite discipline
Eventing when all phases come together
How many horses do you have
2 at the moment
Funniest riding moment
Young horse lined up a an arena boundary fence and jumped out… so I made her jump back in … if she can jump out she can jump back in!
Your equestrian hero.
Edwina Tops Alexander
Rachel McClernon - Product Marketing Specialist (4.5 Years)
Favourite part of your job - Working on set with the equestrian community
Your first memory of Horseland
As a kid, dreaming of owning a horse and buying everything
How long have you been riding for
Over 20 years
When did you fall in love with horses?
I have always loved horses, from even before I could remember
What is your favourite discipline
Show Jumping
How many horses do you have
1
Funniest riding moment
Being given a bunk up and going flying over onto the other side
Your equestrian hero.
Amanda Ross
Cassandra Jackson - Product Development Officer (3 Years)
Favourite part of your job - Working with like minded people and being able to design new innovative product in an industry that is a personal passion.
Your first memory of Horseland
When I was about 7 years old my dad took me into Horseland in my pjs to one of the Pyjama parties. I think we brought my first Dublin riding boots and helmet that night.
How long have you been riding for
Since I was 7
When did you fall in love with horses?
As long as I can remember I was obsessed
What is your favourite discipline
Eventing
How many horses do you have
2 and 1/4. Two Clydie crosses and a cheeky tiny shetland pony. All mares!
Funniest riding moment
Years ago I was bucked off a fresh breaker and ended up over the arena fence in a pile of horse poo then I remember being shattered I didn’t have it on camera.
Your equestrian hero.
I don’t have just one specific equestrian hero. I think what motivates and inspires me personally is going and watching high level Eventing, Grand Prix Showjumping and Dressage. Just the shear determination, commitment, talent and of course passion of all the riders and their horses is just inspirational.
Charlotte Hall - Head of People and Community (2 years on April Fools Day, and I’m still here, it’s not a joke. haha)
Favourite part of your job - Working with a terrific group of passionate and like minded people; and that I get to talk horses all day
Funniest riding moment
When I was little I rode a coloured pony called Spook. He was a great jumper but pretty much jumped everything from a stand still. We would approach a fence at good speed and he would throw the breaks on at the last minute and then launch himself over. Needless to stay, I quickly learned how to fall, drop and roll as I would regularly fly over the jump before Spook. My grandmother said he was the perfect pony to learn how to ride (and fall)
Your equestrian hero.
Sir Mark Todd – NZ Olympic Eventer and FEI Rider of the 20th Centry.
Your first memory of Horseland
Growing up in New Zealand, I wasn’t exposed that much as a kid but moving to Australia I remember thinking how amazing it was to have everything you could dream of for your horse in one store.
How long have you been riding for
Grew up riding, competing and working in a family training business, had a break when I left school and 20 years later am now back in the saddle and loving it.
When did you fall in love with horses?
As long as I can remember Horses have been part of my life. Most horsey people will relate to the life long love that is ingrained when you grow up with horses. Coming back to riding after a long break, the smell alone is so nostalgic and uplifting.
What is your favourite discipline
I love eventing, however the show jumping world is where I mostly ride now, the poles fall and the prep is quick
How many horses do you have
Just the one horse, an “off the tracker” called Tommy. I’m so in awe of others that work full time and have multiple horses.
Zoe - Manager & Saddle Fitter at Horseland Gold Coast (8 years including part time before I managed)
Favourite part of your job - Getting to talk horses all day and seeing all the beautiful new stock
Your first memory of Horseland
I loved shopping here as a little girl and remember how excited I used to get
How long have you been riding for
Since I was 8 years old
When did you fall in love with horses?
from as far back as I can remember!
What is your favourite discipline
Dressage but I love young horses and breaking in
How many horses do you have
2 of my own
Cheryl - Store Owner at Horseland Midland (25 years)
Favourite part of your job - Well, my inspiration when creating the concept of this store was to give our customers an experience that not only included an extensive range of products and knowledgeable advice, but also a welcoming place to meet, have a cuppa and stay a while. To be a contributing part of our equestrian community, where we share our love of these amazing creatures, support each other in the hard times and celebrate together in the good is an honour and the favourite party of my job. I guess it’s not really a job, it’s my life. How lucky am I to work in the industry I live and truly love
Your first memory of Horseland
When I was teaching the young rider squad
How long have you been riding for
Oh since I was 4, but I’m not telling you how many years that is.
When did you fall in love with horses?
When I was a little kid I used to watch the cowboy shows and think I could gallop my pony everywhere like they did.
What is your favourite discipline
My first love has always been Eventing, I feel
How many horses do you have
3 Banjo the mini, Thumper the pony & Bally the Warmblood Paint.
Funniest riding moment
I ran away from home on my pony (don’t know how far I thought I’d get)
Your equestrian hero.
I watched Tinks Pottinger and her horse Volunteer at the World Championships at Gawler and was in aww of their partnership. I was lucky enough to meet her at the Trans Tasmin challenge in 2019.
Kylie Balazs- Store Manager at Horseland Bendigo (6 years)
Favourite part of your job - Achieving goals with my team and making a difference in our local horse community.
Your first memory of Horseland
Shopping at Horseland Lilydale with my dad
How long have you been riding for
Since before I could walk
When did you fall in love with horses?
I think I was born loving them
What is your favourite discipline
Showing
How many horses do you have
Aldo (pictured) 10yr thoroughbred. Roy 32yr Standardbred(first winner I drove). Daddy 5yr thoroughbred (still racing)
Funniest riding moment
Working down a horse at Adelaide Royal while wearing a tens machine on my shoulder and accidently turning it up to full. You can just imagine.
Your equestrian hero.
My Dad. He was an incredible horseman well ahead of his time.
Lana Flanagan- Area Retail Manager (A long time 29 years)
Favourite part of your job - Leading a fantastic group of Managers and spending time in our equestrian community.
Your first memory of Horseland
Walking into the Horseland Strathpine store when I was 13 years old, it was Heaven! After finding out it was for sale, I begged my parents to buy the business, which they did! And the rest is history.
How long have you been riding for
My Grandfather Len taught me to ride after most school days when I was six years old.
When did you fall in love with horses?
I'm not sure? But I do know I drove my parents crazy with reins on my bike, jumps down the hallway and on the lawn!
What is your favourite discipline
Eventing for sure, tests the horse and the rider in so many aspects.
How many horses do you have
We have a Quarter horse Gelding called Burger; well, that's his non-registered name. He is my daughter's boy
Funniest riding moment
I use to boast as a kid that my horse would stop on his own without hands; he actually would slide stop at the gate. My dad took the gate away to be fixed and put up an electric tape (Much lower than the gate). I galloped on my pony up to the tape; instead of stopping, she and unexpectedly jumped the tape! My pony immediately put the brakes on, and I went flying into a large Hedge. It took two people to get me out. I never boasted about my riding ever again.
Your equestrian hero.
Who can forget Gillian Rolton and Peppermint Grove in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics! The first female equestrian to win Gold! And overcome such adversity. Wow! Gillian was such an inspiration, and she continued to invest and support the equestrian sport throughout her life.