Emma Mason on Warrego Marco Polo, pictured here on their way to winning the CCI3*L at Adelaide 3DE in 2017. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
With his ears pricked on cross country, 19-year-old Warrego Marco Polo galloped to victory in the CCI3*S at the recent Canberra International Horse Trials. As rider and part-owner Emma Mason explains, her partnership with ‘Marcus’ came about by chance – and eight years on, she’s still enjoying the ride.
Emma and Marcus recently won the CCI3*S at Canberra International Horse Trials. Image by Fiona Gruen.
Previously ridden and owned by Justine Streater, Warrego Marco Polo first caught Emma’s eye in a Facebook photo.
“I saw a photo on Facebook after Justine won the four-star at Scone with him, and he looked amazing. At the time, I had an owner who was interested in buying a horse for me to campaign. I didn’t know Justine, but I found her number and called her to ask if she would sell him. I went to ride Marcus and loved him. The purchase didn’t go ahead, and I felt I had mucked Justine around terribly,” recalls Emma.
“A few months later, Justine broke her ankle at Sydney 3DE in a fall from another horse, and Brett [Emma’s husband, Brett Jones] and I ended up helping her out at her gooseneck. After the event, Justine called me out of the blue and asked if I was still interested in Marcus. As fate would have it, the syndicate of owners I had previously put together had just sold a horse and we were able to buy him.”
Emma believes that Marcus’s greatest attribute as an eventer is the fact he is strong in all three phases. “I think his greatest strength is that he doesn’t have a ‘weak’ phase – he is a good mover and obedient in the dressage, brave and clever cross country, and very careful in the showjumping.”
It’s been eight years since Emma and Marcus first joined forces, and during that time they’ve had 21 FEI-level starts together and several special moments. “We won Adelaide CCI3*L in 2017, which was definitely a highlight. We also performed well enough to be selected on the Oceania Championship team in both 2019 (Taupo) and 2022 (Werribee), which was really special.”
Bred by Warrego Warmblood Stud in Woodford, Queensland, Marcus is out of their mare Warrego Alisha – who is by Warrego Sandon out of what Emma believes was a Thoroughbred mare – and by Australian-bred stallion Cildara Conquest (Contango II x Falkland). Marcus is therefore three-quarter Warmblood and one-quarter Thoroughbred.
“We won Adelaide CCI3*L in 2017,
which was definitely a highlight…”
Emma and Marcus one their way to second place in the CCN4*S at the Eventing Summer Classic at SIEC in 2021. Image by Oz Shotz.
TAKING EACH DAY AS IT COMES
Marcus has certainly had a terrific career, but as Emma explains it has been somewhat stifled over the years due to injury – making it all the more remarkable that he’s now back out and competing as sound as ever at age 19.
“Marcus has been sidelined with soft tissue injuries on and off since I have had him, and I will always regret that he didn’t get to show the world how good he is or achieve some of the things he deserved to,” reflects Emma.
“His feet need looking after, and he wears wedges… but we knew this when we bought him, and I would still buy him all over again.”
Trotting up for Adelaide International Thee-Day Event in 2017, where they won the CCI3*L. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“He galloped around the cross
country with his ears pricked!”
To keep him comfortable and sound, Emma is meticulous when it comes to ensuring he’s carefully managed – from training on good surfaces, to icing him after cross country and making use of reputable joint health supplements. The other key factor in his longevity is recognising that Marcus is now well versed in his job – so there is no need to overtrain. “Now that he is older and experienced, I try not to jump him much at all between competitions, but rather just back myself and be confident that Marcus knows his job,” she explains.
Emma and Marcus’ recent win in the CCI3*S at Canberra, where they added just 2.4 cross country time penalties to their dressage score – was evidence that the horse no doubt knows and enjoys his job. “I was thrilled with Marcus’s performance at Canberra,” smiles Emma. “He made light work of the show jumping and galloped around the cross country with his ears pricked!”
Ears pricked at Melbourne International Three-Day Event in 2019 – Marcus loves his job! Image by EQ Life.
As for the future, Emma says it really depends on how Marcus feels – and when he tells her it’s time to retire, she’ll make the call without hesitation.
“I have a couple of four-star events in mind… perhaps it would be fitting for him to win Scone again!” she says. “But I’m really just taking each day as it comes. As long as Marcus feels enthusiastic and comfortable, I’ll keep going – but when he says he’s had enough, I’ll listen.” EQ
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