Matthew Dowsley and Bradgate Park Delaney. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Based in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Matthew Dowsley and Rodney Martin continue to produce outstanding horses. With Rodney a talented young horse trainer and Matthew experienced in producing Grand Prix horses, their latest stars are truly starting to shine.
Matthew Dowsley is widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest riders. He has won multiple national championships across many levels, produced ten Grand Prix horses, and represented Australia on several occasions.
Matthew Dowsley riding Grand Prix horse Don De’Sandro at the 2013 NSW Dressage Championships. Image by Franz Venhaus.
“The stallion was sold to
the UK and the ride taken
over by Carl Hester…”
One notable horse was Gullit, whom he brought to the brink of Olympic selection for Sydney 2000 before the stallion was sold to the UK and the ride taken over by Carl Hester. The exceptional chestnut mare Cinderella also drew attention at home, winning CDI Grand Prix classes, competing internationally, and representing Australia at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. The imposing chestnut gelding Falstermeyer, produced as a young horse by Rodney Martin, showed genuine world-class promise and was successful at higher levels with Matthew, winning Small Tour classes at the 2012 Sydney CDI. Other notable Grand Prix horses include Don De’Sandro, Santiago, AEA Prestige and Adloo Richard.
Rodney Martin riding six-year-old SPH Dante at the 2013 Sydney CDI; the horse was later sold at a 2014 P.S.I auction in Germany for 2.8 million Euro, a record at the time. Image by Franz Venhaus.
Over the years, Matthew has worked with the likes of Clemens and Judy Dierks, Bimbo Peilicke through Glennis Barrey, Ulla Salzgeber, Andreas Schöffner, and Jürgen Koschel.
LATEST GRAND PRIX ACCOMPLISHMENT
The latest Grand Prix horse produced from the stable of Matthew and Rodney is TS Firestorm — known as ‘Gino’ — owned by Cheryl Smith.
Given to Matthew as a four-year-old to work with for breeder Claire Wickens, Gino is now a towering presence at over 18 hands. As a young horse, he was lanky, gangly, and short on strength. Matthew, always fond of Foundation bloodlines for their trainability, saw potential in Gino’s honesty and willingness rather than sheer expressive brilliance. Gino has been brought along with meticulous attention to detail, progressing from a CDI Young Horse winner at age seven to a Grand Prix winner at Bowral in December.
In a pleasing contrast of types, Matthew had previously produced Don De’Sandro for Cheryl to Grand Prix — smaller, hotter, and very sharp. Matthew guided Don De’Sandro (affectionately known as ‘Donald’) through many strong performances at CDI level. When Donald was sold, Matthew believed the enormous and still-maturing Gino would be the right long-term horse for Cheryl to invest her passion and commitment into the sport.
Their progress has been a lesson in patience and principled training. Gino produced a Grand Prix test at Bowral in December with no mistakes — an impressive statement for any horse, let alone one so new to the level. With only a couple of Inter II starts introduced so far, his accuracy and composure reflected a deep commitment to basics, consistency, and correct strength-building. At 11 years old, he remains on an upward curve; given his size and the time it took him to grow into himself, he arguably presents more like a horse still early in his true Grand Prix development.
Matthew riding TS Firestorm at Bowral in December, with owner Cheryl Smith. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Once dubious about whether the flying changes would ever become easy, Matthew now rides a horse capable of producing 15 clean, confident, and effortless changes — a clear marker of systematic training and the horse’s growing self-belief. The extended paces were a highlight at Bowral, as were his straightness, balanced corners, and careful preparation into each movement — a trademark of Matthew’s discipline. A score of 71.305% for a first Grand Prix is a significant achievement and, more importantly, a reflection of a partnership built on trust. One judge, who has judged internationally, even awarded 75%.
As Matthew quipped: “You could ride Gino over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and he wouldn’t blink. No competition is likely to rattle him.”
The joy for spectators was shared: a happy owner, a healthy horse, and a rider visibly thrilled by the horse’s generosity and dependability. As Matthew put it, it isn’t about winning — it’s about training, reliability, and the genuine feeling of control and harmony between horse and rider.
“I can’t stop grinning,” he said, and it was easy to understand why. “The fulfillment of the patience, fun, and honesty Cheryl and I have with Gino is even more rewarding than any blue ribbon. Words are hard to express this feeling!”
Now offered for sale, Gino is certainly an exciting young Grand Prix prospect for a lucky new owner.
BRADGATE PARK DELANEY
Matthew’s other top ride at present is the De Niro mare, Bradgate Park Delaney, bred by Sharon and John Potter out of a Ferro x Weltmeyer mother. Tall, jet black, and powerfully conformed, Delaney (or ‘Dalvene’ as she is affectionately known in the stables) is a workhorse in the best sense — trainable, committed, and increasingly polished under pressure.
Remarkably, Bowral in December was only the fifth competition of her life. Sharon and John have bred several horses of their own and also imported others. Sharon previously had a mare, Bradgate Park Delilah, who she rode from Novice to Grand Prix, winning with great scores. Delilah had immense talent but unfortunately succumbed to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) at the top level. Her breeding was De Niro x Regazzoni x Ferro — similar to Delaney. Both black mares are strong-minded and driven, requiring careful guidance to channel their enthusiasm correctly.
Matthew riding Bradgate Park Delaney, bred and owned by Sharon and John Potter. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“Under saddle she is an
endless stream of energy
and enthusiasm…”
Matthew, having mentored Delilah, knew the breeding traits firsthand. Delaney ended up a little big for Sharon, so the ride was offered to Matthew after early training with the late Elliot Patterson. Sharon also has another Bradgate-bred gelding, Bradgate Park Amadeus, showing strong Grand Prix potential under Matthew’s guidance.
Eighteen months ago, Delaney was training at Novice/Elementary level; now she has scored 70% at her first FEI Prix St Georges test (Medium and Advanced starts at four previous shows resulted in scores all over 70%, and as high as 76%).
At Bowral, she delivered clean, mistake-free tests with highlights in submission, honesty, self-carriage, and transitions. Some tension crept in during the tempi changes, understandable given her inexperience, but she gave every change her best effort — without mistakes.
Sharon Potter and Bradgate Park Delilah. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Asked about her potential, Matthew’s response was classic Dowsley practicality:
“How do you know until you find out? On the ground she may be strong-willed,” he says, “but under saddle she is an endless stream of energy and enthusiasm — a mare who tries her heart out and never quits. I have to say that her talent for piaffe is quite something; she amazes me with her trainability, and it’s about telling her less is more sometimes, but how good is that though, especially at this time in my career?
“I have to thank Sharon and John Potter for breeding such a fabulous mare and offering her to me, as they believed she would suit me, and they are so right! Again, the fun we have is so real. It’s so nice, and I love the fact that we are honest with each other and realise the complexities, and go into this with eyes wide open. Every day is a new one, and we wait to see what comes of our friend and strong-minded mare Delaney!”
RODNEY & EMILLIO
Rodney and the imported black gelding Emillio, by Escamillo out of a De Niro mother, also shone at Bowral. John Potter bought him as a four-year-old online in the early hours of the morning while Sharon was asleep — a whimsical purchase, he admits.
Now with Rodney Martin, Emillio was a little quirky at first, but all great horses need time, and he has become a confident and competent partner, showing great harmony, self-carriage, and submission. With perhaps only five shows at Young Horse, Novice, and Elementary levels, they stepped up to their first Medium starts with two wins: 71.875% and 70.473%.
Asked about Emillio’s tests at Bowral, Rodney said:
“He was a little interesting at his first few competitions, but I have to say that we have really grown as a pair now. I felt at ease in the tests, and he was really with me throughout the entire day. He is beautiful, and I love to ride him every day. He is gorgeous, and I am so impressed with the improvement we have gained in the last few months. I was really able to focus on the finer points of riding the tests here at Bowral, and my confidence is growing with every ride. The way he responds and improves is so impressive, and there is a lot more to come… but we are in no hurry.
“We all have a great deal of fun, and to see the support and joy from owners Sharon and John makes the sport and having the ride all the more fabulous. I love to be competitive, and to win is great, but I know there are others in the class with so much dedication and talent. I simply thank my stars that all is improving and that I now have the confidence in him, and he in me, to start to show more brilliance in his paces.
“Time, better balance, patience, and attention to the basics will be the way to see how far we will come. I know piaffe and passage are in there, but it’s not about those things; it’s about the two of us growing together, and I am so excited to be on track again after a few bumpy and unfortunate splits. But that’s what training horses is all about. I look forward to every ride, and he gives me, his owners, and our friends great pleasure, and isn’t that what makes a happy life? It is!”
NEW HORSE IN THE WINGS
Although Gino is now for sale, Matthew has another in the wings: an imported black gelding named Lord Extra, by Lord Europe from a Donnerschwee mother, by the same grandsire as Glamourdale.
“He is big and powerful with the most elastic paces, combined with a super uphill way of going,” says Matthew. “He is owned by the Weel family, and he is extremely exciting — even though I do wonder why I am starting on a spirited and athletic five-year-old. He has huge paces, combined with a great ability to collect, and he already finds piaffe and passage and the lateral work effortless.
“I have to pinch myself and realise he is only five years old. He feels like a seven-year-old, so holding back is the hard bit. I am very motivated, and he will stay at home for a while until we really understand each other. He has come a long way… he’s special, and I am excited by his talent and attitude.”
HAVING FUN
Asked why Sharon and John Potter love being in Matthew and Rodney’s barn, they replied:
“To be totally honest, number one is Matthew and Rodney are fun! We all know the ins and outs of the sport. We all know the judging is subjective, we all know you can get hung up on the politics of the sport… yet they keep it all in perspective. Matthew has proved himself as a rider nationally and internationally on many horses that he has had to make the most of. He is always modest, but by the same token tough, committed, single-minded, and direct every day in training. It’s serious when you are out there in the arena training. He doesn’t hold back… ever! You need a thick skin, but if you want to succeed, you need to listen to those with passion and knowledge, and he has it all!
Sharon Potter riding Bradgate Park Amadeus. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
“We have great
post-mortems and
laugh at ourselves…”
“Above and beyond that, we make fun of our mistakes and innuendos. We have great post-mortems and laugh at ourselves and our quirkiness, and we love good food and good company. It never gets too serious outside of that 60×20 metre arena. Rodney is the best chef, and we always eat well and love life after dressage. That’s so important, and we laugh a lot at our shortcomings — yet work diligently and determined to make every day a better experience with our horses, never losing sight of the basic concept of thoroughness in body and mind, and in horse and human.
“It’s the best combination. Life with horses and dressage in this scenario is fun and enlightening.”
Matthew and Rodney are not ones for grandstanding or pushing horses beyond their capability. They focus on what they do best: training horses to reach their potential. Judging, politics, training techniques, and social media are areas they avoid. Business comes to their boutique Bowral facility because of their reputation, not the other way around. They love producing horses that are healthy, happy, and thriving in the stables, paddocks, and training arenas.
It’s also the camaraderie and joy they bring to owners through their attention to detail and dedication to success. At present, Matthew and Rodney have several exciting horses in their stable, and the future is bright. Perhaps most telling of all is Matthew’s closing sentiment:
“With horses like these, I think I can almost enjoy competing!” EQ
Related articles
Maddison Vallender emerged to the fore in Australian dressage several years ago – a young rider with natural talent, a great attitude to the sport, and a clear dedication to building her future. Taking on a bigger challenge is always her credo.
The lead-up to Christmas was an exceedingly sad time for Carol Oatley. It proved to be the end of a wonderful chapter with her heart horse, Forlan. Known as ‘Alan’ at home, the chestnut gelding who had created so much joy for her sadly succumbed to an unexpected bout of colic.