Story Finding Zephyr

Finding Zephyr

by Sophie Milne

November 2008 mum had a woodblock accepted for the Turf Monthly Art Prize and was sent two passes for Equitana where the art show was being held. Although right in the middle of uni exams this was too good an opportunity to miss.

What an event! We had an absolute blast and learnt lots. On Saturday I went to a barefoot trimming demonstration held in a tiny windblown tent sandwiched between a car park and a noisy exhibition hall full of trade stalls. It was packed with people, crackling speakers and a giant TV screen. The crowd was waiting for the demo to start when a lady at one of the stalls ate something she was allergic to and went into toxic shock. Paramedics were called and security guards cordoned off the area with yellow tape to allow stretcher access. The horse for the demo – a beautiful black brown stallion arrived in the midst of pandemonium. He baulked once at the general craziness, but followed his owner into the tent like he’d done it a million times before. I was mightily impressed by his calmness.

His owner introduced herself as Judy Oldmeadow and her horse as Morgan stallion Tui’s Nimrod. During the forty minutes we waited for Paramedics to pass and demo begin Judy chatted to the crowd about her Morgan horse stud while Nimrod dozed contentedly. Apparently when I came out of that demo and found mum my face was glazed over. “I’ve just seen this great horse,” I said. “You’ve got to see him.”

Next day we braved wet and wild weather to visit the Breeder’s Village and meet Judy and other Morgan horse owners. Nimrod accepted everyone’s pats and didn’t mind us cramming into his stall when it started raining. Mum was chatting to Judy about her stud and I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard her ask whether Judy had any young stock available.

Zephyr and Kim

We were both waiting for our first horse but weren’t actively looking yet. Judy said her first two purebred foals by Nimrod were born in September and she intended to keep the filly but a bay colt named Zephyr was for sale. I don’t know exactly how it happened but over the next few weeks there were lots of phone and email conversations with Judy while we researched the Morgan breed and made sure we knew what we were doing.

Before Christmas we packed the whole family in the car and drove nine hours from Sydney to Victoria to meet Zephyr in the flesh. Needless to say there was no turning back then! Zephyr is without a doubt the handsomest, most intelligent, most wonderful little horse in the entire world. That’s what I think any way...

Judy and her husband Miles have resigned themselves to having us camping out on their property every so often while Zephyr grows up in Samaria. We’re teaching him to come to his name when called, to lead, have his hooves picked out, put up with baths and wearing Santa hats for Christmas cards.

I’ve had the luck to ride both Nimrod and Zeph’s dam Mt Tawonga Folie. If he’s anything like them he’ll be a delightful riding horse. With high hopes of making the most of the Morgan’s temperament and versatility we’re already planning his future in dressage, jumping, endurance, trails….. Even my dad, more at home on a boat than on a horse, has started searching Horse Deals for a buggy to drive him in!

Zephyr report a year on

From Kim Milne (and Sophie)

As long distance horse owners we don’t get to enjoy our beautiful Zephyr very much, so it was a real thrill to see him just before Christmas. I went down with my younger daughter, Annabel, and my husband, Paul. Both of them are slowly getting more ‘horsey’ as the Morgan magic works on them (although they’d probably deny it). Of course, they always look forward to spending time at Samaria and catching up with Judy and Miles and being in the paddock with another crop of gorgeous foals is just the best way to spend a day. Sophie had to stay home and feed the cats, dog and chickens but she is going down tomorrow to spend some time with our Victorian family (Judy, Miles, Zephyr and all the other horses) she’s so excited I don’t think she can breathe.

But what of Zephyr? He is growing up beautifully- not at all a gangly youth, just a handsome one. It was great to see him with a real mane and a big dreadlocked tail. Although I loved him as a fluffy foal I think he’s even better now as he gets more grown up and the future horse becomes visible. He seemed very relaxed in our company, and hopefully is getting to know us as his family.

Pirate Zephyr, Sophie parrot
Costume class National Morgan Show Mar 2010

Luckily he loves being brushed ‘cos with three of us on the job we almost wore his coat out. Annabel amused herself plaiting manes, and I tried the new clippers on his fuzzy jaw line. That was so scary for me but he just stood like a rock. I was thinking he was the best behaved, bravest horse ever when Judy confessed clippers were old news for him as she had already given him a shave. Judy continues her wonderful work on his basic education - and on mine as well (I’m sure she feels the horse is a quicker learner).

We played with him, washed him and dressed him up in flappy sheets to start accustoming him to his outfit for the Morgan show, and for his big trip. He has already spent a bit of time in a float, unfortunately , as he injured his leg and had to go to the vet a couple of months ago. That was not nice long-distance horse ownership, and we are immensely grateful to Judy for her excellent care of him while he healed.

One of the good things about staying at Judy’s is getting to meet other horse people and listen to the conversations. It was lovely to meet Elise and Haymeron Park Oscar on this trip. Sophie and I are looking forward to the show- we have been rather daunted by the thought of showing him when we have no experience, but all the Morgan people we meet are so nice that now we can’t wait to get there and meet more, and admire horses, and show off Zephyr!