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Vale Jeepster 1987-2013

      Stuart (right) with his team mates: Matt Ryan- Kibah Sandstone
      
Phillip Dutton - House Doctor and Andrew Hoy - Darien Powers.

It is with great sadness that we lost our most amazing horse Jeepster last week. Jeepster passed away peacefully in his paddock after a long illness with Lymphoma. For those who didn’t know him, here is his story.

Jeepster was bought from Heath and Krissy Harris as a 6 year old – He was then jumping D grade after Heath had tried him out as a movie horse- Heath explained that Jeepster had been a ‘tough customer’ and that he had managed to teach him Spanish walk, lying down and bowing before he showed potential over the show jumps with Krissy- We bought Jeepster with owner at the time Michael Pribula, not knowing that Jeepster would be our best investment ever, giving us such riches in the sport and thrilling many in his time with us.

“I’m so sorry to hear the sad news,’ Krissy said. “I had always felt he’d be a top class eventer so we got in touch with Stuart. I must admit we did teach Jeepster to lie down, bow and do the Spanish walk to help with his submission! The latter proved to be a somewhat bothersome trait”

   Jeepster and Stuart win gold in front of the biggest equestrian crowd in Australian history.

When Jeepster, had settled, we then realized that the Spanish walk and bowing could, and were a slight problem! Especially when Jeeps went onto compete in the dressage, often he would throw in his Spanish walk – and sometimes a slight hesitant bow at halt! (the bow was easy to fix- BUT not the Spanish walk which stayed with him his whole life in the end) Jeespter was only ridden by Stuart and Karen – he was most certainly a feisty and spirited horse- with an enormous heart and was devoted to his work- so much so it often took both Stuart and Karen to ride him to get him to conform to the dressage without a buck- plunge or general naughty behavior. Surprisingly, he was always a superstar in our eyes.

Commented Stuart in his book ‘Making the Time’: “He soon learnt he could use these tricks as a way of avoiding doing what I wanted him to do, so it took about three years to really learn how to get the best out of him.”

   On their way to gold

Over time he just became a household name making Australian history with his win and team GOLD at Sydney Olympics. His ability to go across the country like no other horse, his amazing run at Rome WEG (almost a gold 1 rail off) There is not without a thought that 2 years before he won Gold at Sydney Olympics he broke his stifle at an event in the UK – after surgery- the vets said he would not compete again. This is where we thank our then Physio Katherine Hamber for his return- (plus Jeepster’s will power, let’s not forget that! Some days it took 2 handlers to walk him!)Not only did he return after 9 months of Physio, he went onto win a Gold medal and remained on track for Athens Olympics.

“He gave Stuart his very best – everything he had to give - together they won scores of events, awards and accolades both here and overseas.
Jeepster made us proud and brought us such enormous joy - we are so very sad he has now gone forever from our lives.” Said Karen

We must thank Jeepster for his generosity to the sport, he is now buried next to his stable mate Tex (who we also lost 3 months ago) under a beautiful line of poplar trees at our home. Jeepster helped position Tinney Eventing as one of the leading Event yards in the world. His contribution was priceless and his death, the end of a remarkably stellar career. RIP Jeepster.

Just a few of Jeepsters results

1997- Winner Werribee CCI***

1998-Winner Lochinvah CCI***


1998-8th WEG –ROME

2000- Winner Sydney Olympics plus team GOLD medal

2003- Second Adelaide CCI****


2004- Athens Olympics Australian team member and representative.

Photos: Julie Wilson