Fanny’s Famous | This Special Mare is Enjoying the Limelight.

Fanny’s Famous, a 2013 mare by Famous Roman never made it to the racetrack, instead making her ridden debut in the show ring. The eye-catching mares under saddle career began with Katie Humphreys who first met Fanny while working for Rivercrest Stud at the June 2018 Magic Millions Sales. Katie was taken in by the mare’s honest face, and when she was passed in at the sales, took her home.

 

Katie had decided the unbroken five-year-old mare would have a forever home with them whether she made a good ridden prospect or not. Katie and her family spent six months getting Fanny acquainted with her new life and letting her fill out and mature. In late 2018 Fanny was sent to Toby and Kim Thomas of SKT Breaking and Pre-Training. This proved the first step towards a successful show horse career. After several small preparations of work Katie took Fanny to her first breed show in September 2019, competing her as Plain Jane at the Serpentine Pre-Royal Show where she came home with Reserve Champion Thoroughbred. Her next event was the 2019 Perth Royal Show where she won Reserve Champion Thoroughbred Mare.

 

In 2020 Katie and Fanny begun putting in the hard work under saddle, attending OTTWA Clinics and small show horse events where Fanny excelled. Fanny’s first ridden event was the ‘Rivers Road to Recovery’ Fundraising Encouragement Hack Day at Pinjarra Horse and Pony Club where she brought home a rug. Fanny had proven herself not only talented but able to thrive in the show atmosphere, so Katie stepped it up into Official Show Horse classes. Katie says Fanny did her proud each time, bringing home broad sashes and placing in the top 20 at each National and Grand National qualifying event. That year Fanny placed third at the Show Horse Council Western Stars in the Debutante Horse Show Hack Class, qualifying Katie for the Grand National in Rider 17 to 21 years.

 

The success continued for the pair in 2021. Starting lessons with Jan Goodwin, they increased their training. That year they placed second runner up, and Smartest on Parade in the Yule Tara’s Standing Ovation Memorial Award Small Show Hack class at the EWA Horse and Rider of The Year. Receiving a first vote from one of the judges, Fanny was qualified for Nationals. They competed in the Horses in Action competition at the 2021 Perth Royal Show where the mare worked beautifully, and Kate was placed Reserve Champion Rider 18 to 24 years.

 

“She is still a lot of work as her up bringing wasn’t like most horses, but I wouldn’t change it for the world, she truly is the most honest horse and really does try her best. I’ve learnt a lot from her of approaching training in different ways and how important a horse’s upbringing is for their life down the track.” Says Katie.

 

Katie’s goal with Fanny is to continue to have fun with the mare.

 

“Ribbons and placing are just a bonus at the end of the day.” Says Katie.