Jodie Thorne

• Breed: Irish Sporthorse
• Height: 16.3hh
• Age: 10
• Colour: Bay
• Owner: Rosie Richards
• Likes: Cuddles and Big Red's Stable Snacks!

After an intense year-long unicorn hunt after I sold Tech,. I was offered the incredible opportunity to try Ira to see if he would be a good fit for me. What can I say... he was perfect! (Albeit rather bigger than I was used to!) He came to live with me in May 2019 and we spent the winter getting to know each other.

Ira has the most amazing temperment and attitude, and has adapted well to life as a para horse. He has a bigger walk and much more movement than Tech had, so it's taken me a while to learn to ride it and feel confident doing so... I'm getting there!

He loves cuddles and has the most expressive ears - I'm in love with the view I get through them!

• Paddock Name: Tech
• Breed: Clydesdale x Stationbred
• Height: 16.1hh
• Color: Pinto
• Owner: Jodie Thorne (until August 2018)
• Likes: Big Red's Stable Snacks and scratches under his chest - he'll be your best friend forever if you give him either of these!

Tech was a serving stallion at San Mateo Stud until he was gelded around 8 years old. He's got a number of progeny around NZ, most with the suffix FX on their show name (Tech served as San Mateo Tech FX). After he was gelded, he hunted for a while at Maramaura, before I bought him and he started his dressage career.

We clicked the moment I got on him back in January 2011, and we grew so much together over the years. He took me from a nervous rider who never rode outside of a fenced arena, to riding confidently around any show venue (without fences!) and competing in the main Oval at HOY.

I sold Tech aged 16 to the most perfect home, where he's enjoying plenty of hacking and beach rides - just what he deserves after looking after me so well for over 7 years!