Evy

10yo Shetland Pony (Black gelding)
Size: 10h
Evy is Sydney's favourite pony and is the mascot of Papillon Riding Stables. He mostly does pony leads and kids' camps. Evy has been with us for two years and came from a farm at Port Macquarie. He is very gentle and loves all the visits he gets from tiny tots.

Thoura

12yo Quaterhorse Cross (Cremello mare)
Size: 15.3h
Thoura came to Papillon three years ago, from Cairns in Queensland where she was a pet. She has settled in well to Riding Stables life, despite an early shaky start when she needed major surgery in 2007 for displacement of her large intestine. We were all very relieved when she recovered so well. These days Thoura works mainly with more advanced riders, although she is showing the patience to work with beginners as well. She is a striking looking horse and sometimes behaves as though she is more of a princess than a horse. She's also very clever and sometimes gives her own lesson (just ask Sigrid!).

Read Thoura's Story

Bella

10yo Clydesdale/Stockhorse (Black mare)
Size: 15.3h
Bella has been with us since mid-2009, coming from a riding school at Ryde where she had been only briefly. Prior to that, Bella had mainly been used for drafting cattle in the country. She does not have much experience and is slowly fitting in. She is more suitable for established riders and Papillon is calling on one or two of our very experienced riders to work with Bella to better establish the riding aids, transitions and movements. A good-looking mare, she has a very gentle, fairly quiet nature but can also prove a bit stubborn!

Max

20yo Pony (Black gelding)
Size: 14.2h
Well educated in all the basics. Shows great canter work. Max is a super intelligent pony who has often given pony rides at Fox Studios as well as appearing in Fox publicity for 'The Country comes to the City'. Max is well known for his enormous appetite and will eat everything. Because he is both patient and calm, Max can work in all situations and with all levels of rider. He can leave apprehensive, first time riders smiling from ear to ear and his intelligence and willingness to listen also suits him to more advanced riders. Max has been with us for 8 years, coming from Victoria, and is our longest-serving horse.

Banjo

19yo Welsh Mountain Cob / Stock Horse (Bay gelding)
Size: 15h
Banjo came to us from Queensland where he was owned and ridden by a 76 year old woman. He is a handsome horse, who is very senstive, calm to ride with nice, even paces. He is versatile enough to work with beginners or more advanced riders and is also a good horse to take for a park ride. Banjo can often be found on a weekday morning with one of his riders taking in the sunshine outside the stables, while checking out passers-by in case they have treats for him (which they often do!).

Elvis

12yo Appaloosa (Chestnut gelding)
Size: 16h
Elvis has been with us for seven years, coming from Windsor when he was just 5 years old. He has very much grown into riding stables life and is very versatile, working very well with advanced riders but also proving suitable for beginners and for rides in the park. He has excellent paces and is a very striking horse. Like many of our horses, he has developed a taste for sugar and always welcomes a sugar cube. Elvis is currently on a gap year, at a property in Camden, from where we have frequent reports of his well-being.

Star

12yo Pony (Chestnut mare)
Size: 13.2h
Star is short for "Starburst", a very pretty pony who came to us from Cessnock, in late 2009. She has considerable Pony Club experience and is a versatile performer, proving good for beginner pony rides as well as for more advanced children. She is happy riding in the park and has also worked successfully for our kids' camps.

Al (Aladin)

Imported Bavarian Warmblood (Brown Gelding)
Size: 17h
Aladin's career up to this point was as a showjumping horse and he is by far the tallest member of our family. He has enjoyed some special training with FEI International Instructor and Master of Equitation, Miguel Tavora.

Jerry

20yo Pony (Grey gelding)
Size: 14.2hh
Jerry has been with Papillon since 2008. He came from Dubbo, where he did eventing and showing. He is a good all-round performer, suitable for park rides, beginners and more advanced riders, as well as kids' camps. He is very patient and hard working - and always appreciates a treat for his efforts.

Horse holidays

It is important to us that all of our horses have a break from time to time, to recharge their batteries and potter around in a paddock for a change. At any time, one or more of our horses may be on a short break, usually either at Menangle Park or Camden which are both within easy reach of the Centre.