In 2006, was the Horsemaster for the spectacular Opening and

S teven Jefferys
P
rofessional horse trainer,
entertainer and public speaker
from Sydney, NSW. One of the most
versatile horsemen in Australia,
renowned worldwide as the man who
opened the Sydney 2000 Olympic
games. ‘The Man from Snowy River’ that
breathtakingly galloped onto centre stage
with his Stock Horse ‘Ammo’ and with a huge rear and crack of the whip,
signalled the start of the Games.
W
ell remembered for the entertainment during the equestrian events
of the 2000 Olympics; “The Breaker” in the Man From Snowy River
Arena Spectacular and many appearances at Equitana Asia Pacific.
I
n 2006, was the Horsemaster for
the spectacular Opening and
Closing Ceremonies of the Asian
Games in Doha and then in 2007
was asked to help prepare the
NSW Mounted Police for their role
in the APEC Heads of government
conference in Sydney.
V
ery successful competitor in
many disciplines and conducts
clinics and seminars throughout
Australia catering for riders of all
levels and disciplines.
Qualifications
• I am a qualified coach accredited by the National
Coaching Accreditation Scheme.
• I was approved by the NSW Pony Club Association
as a member of their paid instructors panel
• Senior Level First Aid Certificate
• Heavy Vehicle License
I have worked professionally with horses for in excess
of 37 years as a competitor, trainer, coach and equine
consultant. I operate my own business known as
“Equestrian Excellence”.
Work Experience
• My first job after leaving school in 1975 was breaking
in horses at Randwick for racing legend, TJ Smith.
• Operated my own riding school, Equestrian
Excellence for 17 years.
• Involved in riding schools in various capacities for 42
years.
Leading equine behavioural expert and am
internationally recognised for my training skills and
abilities. As such I am often called upon for advice on
matters relating to:
• Bad and or dangerous horse behaviour.
• Training techniques.
• Suitability of horses, equipment and facilities.
• Safety and risk management.
• Guest lecturer and demonstrator at various
establishments and events including: NSW University
(animal behaviour and training), Vet Conferences (for
NatureVet & Virbac), Beefex QLD 2010 for the Aust Lot
Feeders Assoc. Dairy Innovators Forum Perth 2011
and at major equestrian events, such as Equitana Asia
Pacific (the largest equine event held in the southern
hemisphere) on the training and safe handling of
horses and related issues.
• One of Australia’s most sought after and versatile
instructors, conducting clinics and demonstrations in
all states of Australia and Norfolk Island. These clinics
address all disciplines of horsemanship including
specialist horse breaking.
• Well known throughout the equine world for
educational and entertaining demonstrations at major
Equestrian events.
• From 1998 until 2008, I was retained as a
consultant to Kara Kar Trailers, the largest horse trailer
manufacturer in Australia, to advise on horse safety
and horse comfort issues in respect of the design and
construction of its horse trailers.
• Since 2001, Ambassador for Saddleworld Pty Ltd.
(a group of 48 individually owned stores Nationally)
to trial, assess, and evaluate equipment to be sold
by them, in regards to safety and effectiveness. In
addition, I have designed equipment and written
informative articles for them, on the correct and safe
use of equipment.
• Written articles on training, safe handling, and other
equine issues for Equestrian Australia’s magazine
"Equest"
• Consultant for Lindsay Park, when owned by David
Hayes (renowned Race Horse Trainer) , on horse and
rider matters; training, safety, with particular attention
to facilities and equipment used.
• Consulted for Definitive Events the Melbourne
based event managers responsible for Equitana Asia
Pacific, (the largest equine event held in the southern
hemisphere) on the training and safe handling of
horses and related issues. I advise on matters of
planning and running the event. In particular matters
of horse and rider safety and providing education.
In 1999 I opened the first ever Equitana Main Event,
and have been one of only a few Australians to be
invited to lecture and demonstrate at every Equitana
since.
In 2004 I established an “anti-bullying” program which was
endorsed by the education department. This involved training
my horses and dogs in a roll play scenario. The animals became
the live characters of a show which travelled to schools in
NSW and VIC sending a message to children that bullying was
unacceptable.
In 2006 I was the horse master for the Anzac Military Tattoo in
Sydney.
In 2006 I was employed as a consultant and The Horse-Master,
for the Opening Ceremony of 15th Asian Games held in Qatar. I
was responsible for all horse; transport, stabling, feeding but in
particular; equipment, saddlery, safety, the selection and training
of 85 horses, 40 camels and all riders and training personnel
for this event. I designed and oversaw the construction of a
purpose built, stabling and training venue for this event. The
most demanding component of this job was selecting and
training the specialist hero horses, which I trained in Australia for
nine months prior to flying them to Doha for the event. Once in
Doha I was also responsible for training a member of the Qatari
Royal Family to ride the horse for the spectacular “Lighting Of the
Caldron” in the Opening Ceremony.
M
iss Universe Australia, Rachel Finch &
stock horse stallion, Ammo.
I have been asked twice since to return to Qatar to instruct and
demonstrate my horsemanship at Al Shaqab (their state of the
art equestrian centre) I have been from time to time employed as
a consultant, instructor and trainer to the NSW Mounted Police.
I advised on matters of training, and suitability of horses. I also
assessed and trained horses for the Mounted Police.
In 2007 I helped to prepare the Mounted Police for their roll in
the Apec heads of Government Conference held in Sydney
In 2008, the Australian Opera Company commissioned me to
provide the horses for their production of “Carmen”. I was also
Perhaps best known as the “Lone Horseman”, who galloped in,
responsible for training the Lead Opera singers to ride on stage
reared up, and cracked the whip, to commence the Opening
at the Sydney Opera house and Melbourne Arts Centre. With
Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
the seasons in both Sydney an Melbourne, we had the horses
on Stage for 3 months without incident. In 2011, we completed
Prior to the Sydney Olympic Games, I was employed as a
consultant by the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee another season in Sydney.
for two years, to advise on issues of safety, transport and training
of the horses and riders for the opening ceremony. I also advised In 2009 I was the Horsemaster for the Channel 7 Children’s series
“Chatroom Chicks” (Gurls Wurld). I supplied all the horses and
on the suitability of the Olympic stadium, for example the type
trained the actors to ride.
of surface and environment to be used, in so far as it impacted
on horse and rider safety issues. In addition to this, I worked with
At the 2009 International Equitation Science conference, held
Tony Jablonski to source and train 140 horses and riders for the
in Sydney, I was invited to demonstrate and present to the
“Welcome” segment of the opening ceremony.
conference. The theme being ‘Ethical Equitation”.
Again in November 2009, I demonstrated at the Bendigo Horse
Apart from the honour of personally opening the Sydney 2000
Olympic Games, I was selected to demonstrate my horsemanship Expo in Victoria.
during the lunch breaks of equestrian events held at Horsley Park
2010 First ever horse on stage at the Royal Pines Resort on the
in order to entertain the crowd of 30,000 .
Gold Coast, for the annual “Beefex” conference where I presented
a paper on the effective and safe training of horses in “Feedlots”
During 2001 I was responsible for the safety, transportation and
Provided saddle horses and was a consultant in regards to safety
training of specialist horses and in particular the main rider for
for the live production of “Ben Hur” held at the Olympic Stadium
the “Man from Snowy River Arena Spectacular” which toured all
at Homebush, Sydney 2010.
the mainland capital cities in Australia, including Perth
Full Profile
2010 trained the rearing horse and Rachael Finch (Australia’s
Miss Universe) for the News Limited & Channel 7 Melbourne Cup
promotion.
I was used again by News Limited and Channel 7 in 2011, 2012
& 2013 for their renowned ”Wild and Beautiful” photo shoots
to promote the Melbourne Cup. In these difficult shots I am
responsible for the training and safety of all involved.
July 2011, given permission after a risk assessment to conduct a
charity auction and entertainment in the Convention Centre of
the Mingara Sports Club. This entailed riding a horse amongst
the dining tables and bar for in excess of an hour.
I was the Horsemaster for the Opening Ceremony of the Arab
Games, held in Qatar in 2011. I was responsible for the selection,
preparation / training and safety of 30 horses and riders from the
“Amiri Guard” .
2012 was the Horsemaster for the Delta Goodrem / ”Swisse”
television commercials.
2013 consultant for the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter
Olympics and the Paralympics games to be held in Sochi Russia
2014. In both cases I advised on matters of training, logistics
and safety, to producers “Filmmaster” Events Milan Italy and
“Fivecurrents” Monterey CA USA. Unfortunately due to logistical
and budgetary issues the horse segments were dropped.
2013 Performed live at the Sydney Convention Centre for the
“Perfect China” event. The performance was amongst 3,000
international guests and VIP’s sitting at glass tables. We were able
to satisfy the risk and safety issues due to our prior track record.
I am currently contracted to the Australian Opera, to once again
provide horses for the 2014 season of “Carmen”, which will run at
the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre. Competition, Clinics &
Coaching
I have competed, been involved with and conducted clinics that
deal with the training of both horses and riders, from beginners
to elite competition levels in the following diciplines:
• Dressage
• Showjumping
• Eventing
• Working stock horse
• Campdrafting
• Cutting
• Polocross
Major Events
I have demonstrated and or entertained at the following major
events. As such I am very familiar with the running of such
events and the safety protocols required.
• Equitana
• Adelaide International 3 day event.
• Scotchmans Hill International 3 day event
• Sydney Interschools at SIEC and Coonabarrabran
• Bendigo Horse Expo
• Dubbo Horse Expo
• Whittlesea Show Vict. 150 anniversary 2010
• Agfest Tasmania
• Launceston and Hobart Royal Shows in Tasmania
• Sydney Royal Easter Show
• The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival in Corryong
• International Rodeo Rod Laver Arena Vict 2008
• Trivett Classic International Dressage Championships 99
• Dianna Ferrari Dressage Championships Werribee 2000
• Victorian Dressage Championships 2006
• Riding for the Disabled National Workshop 99
• City of Sydney, New Years Eve celebrations at the Opera
House
• In 2002 I helped organise the riding of 40 horses over the
Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Filming & Promotion
Over the years I have been involved in many promotional shoots,
television interviews, television commercials and films. I have
been responsible for the safety and training of many Actors and
Models.
Speaking
From time to time, I am asked to speak at conferences. My topic
is generally related to, “extracting the most from your workforce”.
My talk relates to the preparation and team building required
when working with animals and humans under the pressure
of major live events. I discuss my training principles and the
importance of good communication skills.
I have spoken at major conferences of the horse, beef cattle and
dairy cattle industries. Also I was asked to present at LambEx in
Adelaide in 2014.