2 minute read
Mentorship program
The Mentoring Program
Meet our mentors
Charlie Brister
Charlie Brister of Blue Gum Performance Horses is an all-round horseman based north of Sydney on the Central Coast. His expertise is in re-training problem horses, as well as coaching riders in the art of cross country, show jumping and dressage. For several years he wrote an informative training article for Equestrian Hub Magazine and is now the host of the hugely popular Equestrian Hub Podcast.
Charlie brings with him a wealth of experience. In his many years as an equestrian, he has made his fair share of mistakes and now enjoys passing on what he’s learned to other riders.
Growing up in a horsey family meant Charlie was in the saddle early. But the love affair with horses didn’t really begin until, as a 12-year-old, he went on a Man from Snowy River ride in the Victorian high country. It ignited his passion for horses in a big way. With that experience behind him, he began to train in earnest, and in high school was helped by eventing riders Fiona Hughes and Sharmayne Spencer and it was game on.
After a stint in the US competing in both eventing and show jumping, Charlie now competes mainly in jumping and is concentrating on developing young horses (five of his own as well as his clients’ horses), which he finds very satisfying: “I’ve won or done well in many competitions, but any time I’ve made an improvement in my horses, I’m more than happy.”
ABOVE: Charlie Brister now competes mainly in jumping (Image by Oz Shotz Photography).
Mick Taylor
Trust the process – enjoy the journey: Words to live by from Mick Taylor, one of Australia’s most successful professional reiners with multiple Championships to his credit. He’s also a professional horse trainer who produces quality horses for non-pro riders, and a respected mentor who has supported many young reiners on their journey to achieving their goals in the pen.
Focussed on continually improving his own skills, Mick was himself mentored by reining star Martin Larcombe, and as a non-pro achieved Reining Australia’s $100,000 life time earnings milestone. A highlight of his career was in 2003 when he became the first non-pro to win the Reining Australia Futurity on Docs Defender, a horse he trained himself.
As a coach, Mick works with many non-pro reiners: from beginner riders to experienced non-pro competitors. He continuously develops his own skills by working with trainers in the USA, attending training days with international clinicians, and partnering with other trainers to provide clinics throughout Australasia.
Since becoming a professional reining horse trainer, he has developed a program through which he produces quality horses for the non-pro industry: good minded, solid, competitive horses that riders at any level can compete on confidently - QXH Stylish Jazz (NZRHA Open Champion) and Lil Gold Digger (numerous state titles) to name only two.
