0235 – John Downes

On A Daily Basis, I Get To Meet Some Really Terrific Horses

 

About John
– John is a all round horse person, he started trail riding when he met his wife.  He has ridden racehorses (track work), started competing in dressage and showjumping, then focused more on dressage.  John has been a member of the state dressage squad and ridden dressage to advanced.  He also enjoys archery, garotcha and mustering.  John is still doing dressage, coaching, training and competing.

 

To Listen to John Downes on iTunes – Click Here

Or Listen below

 

John’s Favourite Inspirational Quote
– Don’t Try, Do

 

Who Has Inspired John
– Christian Thesis
– Lea Bierman
– Glenys Cox
– Jenny Gehrke
– Uwe Spelen

 

Recommended Books/Author
– ‘Riding Towards the Light: An Apprenticeship in the Art of Dressage’  by Paul Belasik
–‘Down to Earth Dressage: How to Train Your Horse and Enjoy It’ by Carl Hester
– Alois Podjaski

 

About This Episode
– John discusses why it is important to be honest with people and your horse, and remembering why you love horses so that you do not get sidetracked too often.

 

Time Stamps
01:13 – Don’t Try, Do
01:55 – Other sports John has participated in Australian Archery Championship, Triathalon and 10,000m running
02:45 – John met his wife trail riding, when he fell off his horse
03:36 – John started riding at the age of 32
04:15 – Riding his horse like a pushbike
05:30 – Riding racehorses and liking the hard work
06:35 – Honesty – being honest with your horses and having a love of horses
07:34 – We all start off with a love of horses, but sometimes people get sidetracked and forget the attention to detail
08:45 – Meeting terriffic horses on a daily basis
10:15 – Anyone who wants to be successful, and how Christian Thesis, Glenys Cox and others have inspired John
11:45 – How ‘Contessa’, ‘Skeg’ and other horses who have inspired John
14:36 – Getting on the State Dressage Squad
16:10 – Staying focused, having the determination to do the work, being pig-headed about it.
17:45 – Advice – think very carefully about why you want to be with horses as it is a 7 day a week job at all hours
20:10 – A lack of patience riders have, as it takes a lifetime to learn to ride – hasten slowly.
21:53 – Lack of knowledge
22:35 – Books by Podjaski, Carl Hester and Paul Belasik
24:05 – Mustering and the Australian Championships in Brisbane
24:38 – What is Garotcha (Spanish)
26:56 – Love the animal you are on and push yourself every day
27:45 – Contact:  see details below

 

John’s Contact Details
Phone:  0429 486 839   or +61 429 486 839
Email:    downesequestrian@bigpond.com
Facebook:  Downes Equestrian and Archery

 

Also Listen to

334 – Second Interview – “Ten Tips to Train in Harmony”

 

Music
BenSound.com

 

When John is a return guest on Horse Chats, what question would you like to ask him?
(Please leave comment below)