George making his way around the Mudgee course
It would be fair to say that some horses stand out more than others when you are watching cross country day at an event. Some stand out because of their amazing jump, others for the way they gallop effortlessly from one fence to another. Sometimes it can be their colour that catches your eye but what brought Jungle George to our attention was his sheer size along with the way the ground almost seemed to move as he galloped past.
‘George’, as he is known to his friends, is a 17.2hh Clydesdale who was bought by Ashley Kelly as an unbroken eight year old and now four years on this very likeable big chap is enjoying some low level eventing whilst making his way up the pure dressage ladder.
Ashley and George have a great relationship
“Eventing is a bit of fun, but we take dressage a bit more seriously. I think some of my friends thought doing pure dressage with a pure Clydesdale was a bit silly but my coach, Heath Ryan, thinks it’s a great idea and really likes George. In fact he said if I ever decide to sell George he’ll be the first one to put his hand up to buy him … I think that’s quite a compliment.”
George and Ashley enjoy their eventing
Photo with thanks to Oz Shotz
We caught up with Ashley and George at Mudgee one day event where they had just finished their cross country round in the JR Richards EvA60 class. Although Ashley didn’t know it when we spoke to her she had actually won the class, so keep your ears to ground at your next event – you may hear George coming your way.
Just look at the size of those feather covered feet!
