Petersburg | Cool and Collected Pete

Bred in Queensland by Furlong Stud, seventeen-year-old Petersburg has well and truly settled into life off the track. After eight racing starts for one win, Petersburg retired from racing in 2014.

Owned by Patricia Gordon, owner of Sandeli Equestrian Centre, Petersburg (Pete) met Eva McCaron. Looking to return to riding after twenty years after promising her daughters to take them horse riding following a long COVID lockdown, Eva was impressed by Pete’s adaptability.

“He was a solid, sensible boy who has given me lots of confidence getting back into the saddle after all these years.”

In early 2022, Eva purchased Pete and delved right back into life as a horse owner despite not looking for a horse initially at all. Lucky enough to have some great coaches to guide them, Eva has enjoyed learning how to navigate life with a Thoroughbred after having very little experience with them previously.

“Pete is a funny sort. He mostly enjoys his own space, which as a busy working mother of three suits me fine!”

Despite his exterior grump, Eva assures us that once you get to know Pete he’s actually quite the softy. He always tries his best to please.

As a working mother, Eva sometimes has to juggle horses and children while competing, but thankfully, Pete is always a sensible gentleman.

“While I can’t say the same for my children, I can guarantee Pete will be good!”

Eva describes Pete as a very easy horse to have around, which makes competing at events with children and many things to juggle a lot easier. Petersburg competed at South West Horse Trials last year, with Eva describing it as a really great confidence building event for the both of them.

This year, Eva and Pete competed at Capel CCN and placed third in their first EA event together. Eva would love to continue to compete with Pete at ODE events and has her sights on cracking a sub 30 dressage score.

Having purchased Pete as a fifteen-year-old, Eva hopes that with love and the right care, they will have many more years together popping around courses. Eventually, Eva suspects Pete will be carrying around her daughter and providing her with the same confidence he has to Eva.

Off the Track WA thank Eva for sharing her story of Petersburg with us and wish them all the best with their future together!

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