Brianna and Baci - A Dream Come True!

By: © Victoria Ferguson Dip.Herb.Med. 

Brianna Duncan-Coward & Corndale Kiss and Tell (photo: Lorelle Mercer)

Brianna Duncan-Coward had her dreams come true at the 2015 Show Horse Grand Nationals when she and Corndale Kiss and Tell (Baci) took out the title of Grand National Small Show Hunter Galloway. 

This 9 year old riding pony gelding by Ascot Classic Silk has had a highly successful career in the show ring, but as Brianna explains “He fell really ill in the last half of 2014 missing most of the shows and we really thought he might not make it back to the show ring as he progressively got sicker.  Numerous vet visits, loads of tests but still no diagnosis could be made.

Fortunately Victoria Ferguson, Equine Herbalist, whom we have been using for many years, was able to return Baci to his normal health with her holistic herbal treatments,  so we cannot thank her enough.”

Brianna’s mother Susan has been feeding all their show horses the VF Natural Diet for several years to make sure they are at their optimal health so can perform at their best, both mentally and physically.  

Other strategies which they feel have helped their horses do well in the show ring include having regular lessons with instructors whose training methods they believe in and ensuring they have access to paddocks during the day which they love and helps to keep them happy.

“I am always working on different exercises/movements to train them in and lots of stretches to keep them supple and I really enjoy the training aspect of my riding and teaching them new movements. It really keeps their minds working and their ridden work interesting for them.  One of my priorities when training my horses is for them to have a beautiful soft mouth,” Brianna points out.

“I spend lots of time brushing my horses, rugging & feeding them and doing everyday stuff with them.  I feel from doing all this together we have a really good partnership.  Both my horses love the individual attention, they are always waiting to be caught and love going for a ride.”

Over the years Brianna and Baci have had a different array of instructors including Melissa Karutz (who they bought Baci from), Les Friend and Margot Haynes, and since September last year Chris Lawrie has been travelling to teach a group locally, so Brianna has been having regular lessons with Baci and her hack Richie. They have been working on Baci's lateral movements, flying changes and even started to teach him piaffe.  

The Duncans have owned Baci for over 4 years. Susan says he is the most strong minded intelligent horse I have owned, he is a real character.  He just loves being a show horse and all the attention that comes with it both in and out the ring.  He learns everything easily and loves training but equally happy to go for a trail ride or a gallop along the beach. 

He has won numerous HOTY titles in SA in his hunter classes and Brianna’s  rider classes competing at Grand Nationals and EA Nationals on numerous occasions.  He has always got Top Ten in his Hunter & Childs classes at Grand Nationals and in 2013 we were awarded Runner Up Childs Show Hunter Galloway. 

Since recovering from his illness and returning to the show ring in 2015 Baci has come back winning Champion Small SH Galloway and Champion Childs SH Galloway at the 2015 HIA-SA Australia Day GN Qualifying Show.  Then Champion Small SH Galloway at the 2015 SHC-SA Rising Star Show. 

Then a few weeks later at the 2015 SHC Grand National Championships Brianna was elated to win the title of Grand National Small Show Hunter Galloway with him.  Baci then went on a couple of classes later to take young Georgia Davey to win Grand National Rider 12 and under 15 years.

The Duncans could not have been prouder of him that day & look forward to many more years competing with Baci.   Brianna summed it all up when she said “He truly is my best mate and one in a million.”

The team at Horsezone is excited to bring you informative articles from Victoria Ferguson Dip.Herb.Med., herbalist, horsewoman and author of The Complete Horse Herbal  www.thecountryherbalist.com.au