Ajay is collecting all the rosettes and ribbons!

Goandcullect, by Gotta Go Cullect and from Parsons Den USA mare Keroshelle was trained by Ian Mulchay from his first start in December 2014 to his last in March 2019. Goandcullect, better known as Ajay, retired with 66 starts including four wins, two seconds and three thirds, earning $26,065.

Two months prior to Ajay’s last start Amy Kennedy had been asking the local harness trainers about any nice retiring standardbreds. Amy wanted to take on the rewarding task of retraining her first trotter. Ian let her know Ajay only had a start or two left before retiring. On March 1^st 2019 Amy watched Ajay’s last race in Albany before taking him home the next day. She’s never looked back!

Amy soon set about bringing the handsome unbacked bay along as a ridden horse. What was being asked of him was very different; he had to learn how to carry himself and work in a conventional ridden horse manner. Amy said he thrived on the work.

“He tries 110% for me and when you’ve got a horse that loves what he does it makes it so enjoyable!” Amy says.

Together Amy and Ajay have excelled in various disciplines including show jumping, eventing and show horse. Amy says their greatest achievement together was finishing on their dressage score at the 2020 Wooroloo CCN, placing sixth in a OTTWA Sponsored EvA 80 class of 34.

Ajay has also competed in show jumping with 15-year-old Mackenzie Wallrodt, who’s mum, Rebecca Wallrodt Amy rides racehorses for. Together they have competed up to 90cm show jumping and placed at every event they’ve entered.

Amy’s favourite memory with Ajay is winning the 80cm open class at the 2020 Dryandra ODE, 18 months after he retired from racing. They were sitting in first place after dressage and show jumping, with just cross country to complete. Amy was anxious after a nasty fall on cross country a few weeks prior, but Ajay gave her an amazing ride and the pair sailed home safe.

“As I jumped the last fence and knew I’d won I cried through the finish flags. It’s an incredible feeling when you’ve worked so hard and it all falls into place.” Amy recalls.

In 2021 Ajay and Amy competed in their first season of show horse events, including the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association’s (SPPHAWA) Dual Code Spectacular and State Championships. The pair took home SPPHAWA’s 2020-21 Rising Star Award!

Ajay and Amy are now stepping up to the 1m show jump classes, and their sights set on 1.05m for 2022. Amy hopes they might even be ready to compete in Equestrian in The Park in 2022!