Arakoola Mercedes

Highlights

Australian Stock Horse National Youth Point Score Winner 2022

Significant professional training in dressage, polocrosse and polo

Willing, forward and athletic

Introduction: Mercedes is a fabulous 9 year old, 14.3hh registered stock horse mare bred by the Hodges family of Arakoola Stock Horses. She is by the great sire Arakoola Tradition out of Melander Star Whitney. Mercedes represents the best of her breed - she is responsive and intelligent; athletic, agile and hardworking; she is suitable for various disciplines.

Education, skills and experience: Mercedes was broken in by Scott Pickering and has been bought on sensibly and consistently, with professional training, throughout her ridden career. She was purchased by her current owner via the Swan Cup Sale in 2022.

Mercedes has competed at agricultural shows, been to pony club, jumped up to 60cm and has very established flat work having been schooled at Wandella Ponies. 

Interestingly, she was trained by Australian representative player Chris Anderson to play polocrosse and then was trained to play polo by Jason Martin Butt - Buttery Horse Co - she is a formidable talent at both games. 

Mercedes has also turned her hand to barrel racing, worked the mechanical cow and also enjoys a trail ride. She loves routine and regular workload. Mercedes is very smart, athletic and willing to learn. 

General demeanor under saddle: Mercedes is described as willing, responsive and only requires subtle aides. She is athletic, has spunk and can turn on a dime. Mercedes is soft and 'light' in the bridle and willingly 'collects'. She relaxes quickly once the ‘pressure’ is off. 

Current workload/ fitness: Mercedes is currently in work, being ridden 5 times a week.

Handling: Mercedes is safe and easy to handle - to catch, shoe, wash, saddle and load. She self loads or loads into float/ truck very easily, stands quietly when traveling, and unloads calmly.

Behaviour: Mercedes is extremely affectionate and is an absolute pleasure to have around. She is the first to meet you at the gate, especially when the float comes out. 

Mercedes has a great work ethic and is happiest when consistently being ridden. She can get tense and do the odd pigroot with nervous riders. With a confident and capable rider Mercedes is responsive but relaxes quickly. 

Feeding and management: Mercedes is currently fed lucerne chaff, CEN Compete, Cen oil and hay.

Medical history: Mercedes does not have any medical issues.

Rider Suitability: Mercedes would be suitable for a capable and confident junior or smaller adult rider. She is tolerant of novice riders as long as the rider is balanced, confident and not tense. 

Reason for sale: Mercedes is very reluctantly for sale because her owner has too many horses, young children and doesn’t have the time to ride her. 

Mercedes’s owner says: Mercedes is a pleasure to own and I think she would excel with someone who wants to play polo or polocrosse or use her as a ‘mounted games’ pony. Mercedes would be equally suitable as a performance allrounder to competed in dressage, showing or showjumping. She needs to find ‘her person’ who wants a willing, athletic horse and is able to ride 5 days a week.