Warning Signal | It’s All Green Lights for This Unstoppable Team.
Warning Signal, a 2011 gelding by Dreamscape first trialled under trainer Gai Waterhouse AO in 2014. The gelding moved to the stables of Matthew Dunn for his next nine starts which included his only first and second placing. Warning Signal’s racing career ended in early 2017 under Daiki Chujo (Japanoz Equestrian) after another eight starts, having accumulated a total of $16,125 in prizemoney.
While Daiki originally moved from Japan to Australia to become a jockey, he also sought out an education and career in eventing. Prior to taking up the reins as a racehorse trainer Daiki rode with the likes of Bettina and Andrew Hoy, Vicki Roycroft and Heath and Rozzie Ryan. Daiki incorporates flatwork and jumping into his racehorse preparation, and so when Warning Signal retired from racing he was well prepared to step into his eventing career. Daiki originally competed the gelding himself, eventing up to (then known as) Pre Novice level. Unfortunately Warning Signal sustained a leg injury, and by the time he recovered and was rested, Daiki had become too busy with his race training to continue campaigning the gelding.
Paul Martin and his sons had been on the lookout for a new Polocrosse horse to bring on when they saw Warning Signal’s ad on the Japanoz Equestrian Facebook page. Paul and his family, who are involved in racing and had always ridden thoroughbreds, were attracted by Warning Signal’s athleticism. In 2018 the gelding made Warning Signal way to Western Australia.
Warning Signal, affectionately known as Hazard, took to Polocrosse well.
“He did everything perfect, he just didn’t like horses coming at him.” Paul says.
Eventually Paul’s sons stopped playing polocrosse and so Hazard was put out to spell. Paul and his wife, Carey were in Broome for the racing season when they advertised Hazard for sale through a friend.
When Tina McMahon spotted Hazard’s ad and learned someone was looking at him the next afternoon she and Shantelle (then 12 years-old) packed their bags and drove the six hours to view him.
“We bought him straight away after a quick ride. I really liked him but didn’t let on to mum how much of a handful he was!” Shantelle says.
And so, in August 2019 Tina and Shantelle brought Hazard home to their property an hour North of Albany.
While Hazard was keen to jump again, he had lost some of his finesse, tackling the poles more like a gazelle than an experienced eventer. Shantelle decided to bring Hazard’s training back to basics.
Their first real hurdle was finding a bit Hazard was happy with. Hazard tended to either be strong or avoid the bit. The family would find him a bit he appeared to be happy with, just for him to change his mind. Finally, they found Hazard one that he stayed happy with, which has resulted in a more agreeable horse.
“As I’ve grown stronger and older, I have learnt to adapt my riding to suit him, and we have formed a wonderful team. He has taught me so much and through blood, sweat and tears we now have a lovely horse that I trust with my life.” Shantelle says.
The combination began competing together in November 2019 with their first big event being the Mount Barker Agricultural Show.
This year Shantelle and Japanoz Warning Signal have been competing in Junior One Star eventing classes. The competitive pair won the Junior One Star classes at the 2022 Murray CCN and Swan River Moto Trek Capel CCI-S, and placed third at the same level at the Harvey CCN South West Horse Trials and Capel CCN-S.
Shantelle and Hazard capped off their great 2022 season by competing in the Brajkovich Junior Diamond class at Equestrian In the Park. They had a clear first round, with the fastest time to easily qualify for the jump off. In the jump off they took two rails for eight penalties, again making it around with the fastest time. Their great performance landed them third in a class of 19, also being awarded the Best Performed Off the Track Horse, and Highest Placed Regional Rider.
Shantelle and her family keep Hazard’s previous owners up to date with their adventures and accomplishments.
“It’s delightful to see him go to a good home and doing well. She’s doing an amazing job with him. They keep me updated; I’m absolutely thrilled.” Says Daiki.
“We still follow his progress and keep in touch. I’m really wrapped he went there and he’s going so well for them.” Says Paul.
While Shantelle says one of her favourite times with Hazard is Equestrian in the Park, their sunset bareback rides are also very special.
“Our hopes and dreams I guess are just like any young equestrian, the Olympics! But for the interim, I wish to take him 2* next year and see where our journey takes us together.” Says Shantelle.
