Maddie Delai’s incredible connection with her standardbreds, including ex-racehorse Heza Prince, has been outlined in today’s first episode of the HRV HERO podcast.
Debuting across Trots Media’s podcast channel, host Tanya McDermott outlined a busy time for Harness Racing Victoria’s life-after-racing program, which will include having a significant presence at the forthcoming Equitana, Trots Country Cups Championship, on Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup night and at the Inter Dominion.
But it is McDermott’s chat with show horse rider Maddie and her connection with her standardbreds that is most memorable.
“I started off with ponies at the age of one,” Maddie said. “From there I had a serious fall at the age of five and gave up riding. I was unconscious and I never got back on.
“Then at 13 years old I took it back up again with a fear of big horses – anything over 14 hands. Then my mum got a standardbred, Heza Prince, and he changed my life pretty much. He’s so kind. He always looks after me.”
Success at the Echuca Show was the birth of their friendship, fostering “a new love for standardbreds”, “he tries his absolute heart out for me, that’s what I love most about him”.
But show success was only one very small piece of the spoils they share.
“He’s my freedom in life,” Maddie said. “Shortly after getting Prince I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2, which rocked my world completely.
“On my bad days, he takes everything away and I can finally let go and be stress free. All my horses actually know my emotions before I do, so on my not-so-good days they will be very very comforting and follow me around … and do things to make me laugh.”
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