about Gary

Gary is an Equestrian Australia Level 2 Dressage specialist coach based at North Maclean, south of Brisbane. Gary coaches from his property, Windhill, and also travels throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria conducting clinics.

Gary started riding at the age of nine years old in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

He attended Bomana Pony Club located at the Port Moresby Turf Club, situated just outside of Port Moresby. During the next ten years, he was involved in Pony Club, Showing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Racing, Polocrosse and Polo.

Being involved and riding in all of these disciplines has helped shape Gary’s horsemanship skills and knowledge that he has today.

In 1986 Gary moved to Brisbane (Australia) where he continued riding and teaching.  He trained and competed in eventing, showing and dressage for the next four years and then realised he wanted to specialise in dressage. He enjoyed working out how to train horses, developing training methods that helped them, taking them through the levels and seeing the end result.

Gary now lives south of Brisbane and runs “Windhill”, a training establishment specialising in training horses and riders up to FEI level.

Qld Coach of the Year 2021

In 2020, Gary completed his Equestrian Australia Level 2 Dressage Specialist qualification and in 2023 he started the complex journey of achieving the EA Level 3 Dressage Specialist course.

Gary was named the Equestrian Queensland Coach of the Year 2021 and he works with riders of all ages from the following disciplines – Dressage, Eventing, Show Horse, Show Jumping, Working Equitation, Western Dressage and Para Dressage.

One of Gary’s other specialties is his background in learning and development in the education sector which has helped in his coaching of students from various backgrounds and experiences.

Apart from coaching riders, he has trained several horses to Grand Prix with success competing throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and USA.

Gary has trained with a number of coaches and trainers from around Australia and the world.

In 2012, Gary took his horse GB Winchester to San Diego (California) to Steffen Peter’s barn and spent the next 12 months training with him.  This was instrumental in securing GB Winchester’s Grand Prix career.

TEACHING SKILLS

One of Gary’s strengths is educating trainers or managers in the principles of adult education. Individuals or organisations have approached him to review, improve or assist their training staff or managers in their training skills.

Organisations have found that their best performers are not necessary their best trainers and up skilling these staff has improved their workforce, overall productivity and their bottom line.

Gary has held senior positions such as a “Learning and Development Manager” for an international company based in Brisbane and he has assisted the Dressage Queensland Judge’s Sub committee to start their judge’s education and mentoring program.

For any of your training needs or queries regarding adult education, please contact Gary.

“Gary made his presentation to Dressage Judge Educators and Mentors. As a Mentor I found the presentation to be very professional and interactive.  It certainly raised awareness as to the different learning styles and will assist me greatly when mentoring fellow judges”.

Lesley Sullivan   |  EA (Equestrian Australia) “A” Level Judge

 Seek professionals to work with

Surrounding yourself with expert help is also at the top of Gary’s list. “Line yourself up with a team of excellent vets, farriers and experts in the field of bodywork (massage, physio, chiropractor, acupuncture etc.). These horses do physical work and require regular maintenance. All Gary’s horses receive regular physiotherapy and Emmett treatment – a gentle and simple internationally recognised muscle release therapy that all horses love.

“Select, nurture and work with these professionals, ask questions and gain more knowledge through them,” he says.

“I attended a “Coaching and Mentoring” Workshop
presented by Gary in November 2007.  I found Gary to be very presentable, articulate and knowledgeable.   It made me appreciate the different ways people have of learning – I had not fully realized this before.   It also made me realize how professional my presenting skills need to be, and how aware I need to be of the group I am working with.  I know I will be a better Judge Educator/Mentor for having attended this Workshop.”

Sue Bright  |  EA (Equestrian Australia) “A” Level Judge

Gary’s tips for horse longevity

When Chester was in full time training he was the first horse in the barn to be ridden. “I ride him up to 45 mins Monday to Friday and he gets the weekend off when I’m away coaching. Depending on the time of the year, I work a lot on keeping him supple and fit in his body and mind using a lot of gymnastic exercises. Some days, I do loads of stretching exercises and there are days when I concentrate on elements of the Grand Prix,” says Gary.

“To keep a horse fit and sound, I believe in keeping them moving. I prefer not to let them have long extended periods of holiday unless they are recovering from an injury but rather give them ‘mental health days’ where you work them lightly stretching or a hack around the property.”