Hughey the Hammer | Gentle Gelding Having a Great Impact

Hughey the Hammer, a 2014 gelding by USA stallion Somebeachsomewhere retired from racing in 2017 after two starts with trainer Kat Warwick. Hughey was rested before Bayley Thomas was engaged to provide the gentle gelding with a ridden education and find him a home.

 

Bayley, who rehomed Hughey privately and is now an OTTWA Official Retrainer, recalls the ease at which Hughey adapted to ridden life.

 

“Hughey was a pleasure from the beginning, starting confidently to saddle and proving to be a nice ride. Knowing Lisa, I knew he would be a good match for her.” Bayley Says.

 

In January 2019 Lisa Martin tragically lost her standardbred purchased from Bayley, Whitby’s Elect to colic. Lisa, missing having a horse to love and care for, reached out to Bayley who suggested she meet Hughey.

 

“He (Hughey) won my heart with his kind eyes and gentle nature. The rest is history.” Lisa says.

 

Hughey arrived at Lisa’s property to meet his fellow standardbred paddock buddies, Billie’s a Star and Teal.

 

Lisa, excited to build her relationship with Hughey took him to Wanneroo Adult Equestrian Club the next month. It was an encouraging start which helped them build confidence in each other. They attended their first show, the Horsemens Pony Club Big Britches Cancer Fundraiser Show in March 2019. Initially Hughey found the atmosphere and what was being asked of him a little confusing but behaved himself and left with the Encouragement Horse Award.

 

“I was so proud of what we had achieved in a matter of weeks.” Says Lisa.

 

Hughey and Lisa’s next event was the ARCA Autumn Challenge hosted by Avon Valley Adult Riding Club where they stayed overnight. Again, Hughey was exceptionally behaved and came home with a collection of ribbons.

 

Lisa’s 14-year-old daughter has even taken Hughey to Pony Club and competed on him. In 2021 they won Reserve Champion Walk Trot Standardbred at the SPPHAWA Season Opener.

 

Hughey and Lisa started their 2022 competition season at the Off the Track Festival hosted by SPPHAWA. They won Reserve Champion Prep Dressage, and Champion Working Hunter Poles to 30cm.

“I was so happy with our progress and what we had achieved.” Says Lisa.

 

In May they demonstrated their progress again; achieving their personal best dressage score of 73% in their Prep C test at the Hickstead Autumn ARCA Challenge run by Wanneroo Adult Equestrian Club.

 

Lisa aims to complete their first prelim dressage test by the end of this year.