Steve Halfpenny

Steve’s involvement with horses began in his early twenties shortly after arriving in Australia from the UK, nearly 30 years ago. During those first years Steve spent most weekends at local shows attending many clinics with western trainers and judging seminars. Over the following 10 years Steve continued to compete and was most successful with his home bred Appaloosa “Foxy” who became State Champion in many different western disciplines. He then purchased a weanling palomino QH colt who also had a very successful show career, also winning State awards. Reining soon became Steve’s favourite discipline and so he focused on this, eventually becoming involved in judging.

It was around this time Steve’s work started to involve Farriery and he worked for Lindsay Park Racing Stables for a few years which presented the opportunity to handle many horses from yearlings to stallions.

In 1990 Steve attended a course presented by Pat Parelli, it was this course that paved Steve’s way into Natural Horsemanship.  In 1995 Steve was invited into the Instructor Programme and during his 7 years with PNH he achieved 3 star ratings as an instructor, young horse trainer, horse starting specialist and 2 star ratings as a foundation trainer and difficult horse specialist.

During his association with PNH Steve conducted clinics in the U.S.A, France, Italy, Germany, UK and Australia. He enjoyed this time of learning and in November 2002 decided it was time to move on independently. Steve’s new direction of teaching is based on combining the styles of many horsemen who have provided the inspiration and knowledge for Steve to find an easier way for horse and rider.

Steve now currently travels each year for 4 months to teach in Germany, Poland, UK, New Zealand and South Africa. In the future Steve plans to improve his skills and educational knowledge by studying with other renowned horsemen.

You can see Steve Halfpenny at EQUITANA Melbourne 2010. Steve will be participating in “The Way of The Horse – Australian Horsemanship Challenge” and will also present daily education sessions, demonstrating his training techniques.

For more information about Steve, you can visit his website www.silversand.com.au