Maverick Miles and Verdasco. Image by Click Capture.
Maverick Miles has had a stellar year in the competition arena with his equine partner Verdasco. With a World Cup debut earlier this year and a recent NSW Senior State Title, this partnership is on the rise. We caught up with Maverick to learn more about his journey, and of course, his relationship with Verdasco.
Maverick Miles and Verdasco in action at Tamworth World Cup. Image by Click Capture.
Bred by Diamond B Stud, Verdasco – better known by those closest to him as ‘DumDum’ – was initially bought by Jade Findlay, who trained and competed him in eventing. Probed on how the nickname came to be, Maverick shares, “It was a name he arrived with and I tried my best to change it, but he really lives up to it! I think he got it from being a big, loveable dope, but ironically, you won’t find many smarter horses than him in the stables. His personality is just ‘DumDum’.”
Before Maverick bought the horse, David Cameron picked up the reins from Jade to campaign him in the jumping arena and had some fantastic results at Futurity level.
“I was riding another very tall horse, Cavalier Ludicrous, and a friend of ours suggested that I go and try DumDum since he was also pushing above 18 hands. Having seen him jumping at a few shows I was very keen for a sit, and it was an immediate bromance,” says Maverick. No stranger to a tall horse, he doesn’t know exactly how big Verdasco is: “My measuring stick maxes out at 18 hands and he’s fairly above it!”
“He’s just enthusiastic about everything,” continues Maverick. “He doesn’t walk anywhere; he canters. When you try and jump little training fences at home, he’ll clear them by two feet. His paddock is right next to our house, and he stands there looking through the window for people to interact with all day. Absolutely nothing is boring while DumDum is around.”
“MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE MOMENT…”
Four years into their partnership, the pair have gone from strength to strength. After completing their first World Cup together at Larapinta in April of this year, they have been regular fixtures in Senior and World Cup classes alongside some of the best combinations in Australia.
Asked if there have been any highlights to date, Maverick shared the story of the 2024 Tamworth World Cup: “There were no clear rounds so far in the class and the indoor was completely quiet throughout my whole round. The crowd absolutely erupted as I cleared the last. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face; it was my absolute favourite moment.”
Recently crowned the NSW Senior State Champion after a brilliant few days of competition, Maverick reflects on what he says was simply a fantastic event. “We’ve been going to the NSW titles since I was a little kid, and I could probably name all the Senior Title holders since then, so to have my name on that list is unreal.”
“I couldn’t wipe the
smile from my face!”
Looking to the future, Maverick and DumDum are aiming first and foremost for “more clean rounds!” “I have my eye on starting in the two World Cup Qualifiers left this season, at the Summer Showjumping Classic [7 December] and at Sale in Victoria [8 February] which will be good tests of where we are at. One of my favourite shows on the calendar is Sydney Royal. All going to plan, Dum and I will have a crack at the Section 1 competition there next year, which is as tough as you’d like.”
Maverick was named NSW Senior State Champion in October. Image by Australian Jumping.
“Of course, I couldn’t do this without the support of my family. My parents David and Janelle are my biggest fans, and my sister Coco helps me out a lot and makes sure that I have the best chance for success possible. My girlfriend Haydie shares the passion for showjumping and is great at keeping me motivated. Major thanks also have to go to Colleen Brook, my coach, who puts in a lot of time and effort to make sure we are as prepared as possible.”
Sponsored by Emcee Apparel and fuelled by Barastoc Equine, Maverick credits the two for ensuring he is always well dressed, and his horses are in top shape. EQ
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