A tribute to Anne Honner by Maggs Jacob

As a cocky 12 year old I managed to convince my mother to buy me a 16.3hh Andalusian x throughbred gelding who was ill mannered and ignorant - it didn't take me long to realise that perhaps I should have listened to mum who knew the horse was not suitable but now I had the horse and had to make it work for me instead of against me!

It so happened that at this time, mum heard of a New South Wales coach who was coming to do clinics in Melbourne and that this lady was a master with difficult horses - what we didn't know was how she felt about teaching 12 year olds as she was very much a "grown up" trainer.

My first session with Anne changed the way I rode forever - she gave me the knowledge of how to ride with authority without cruelty and how to ask with conviction and these two important lessons stayed with me for every horse I have ridden since.

Anne had humour and there was a softness which she masked well - but I will remember forever when I had finished a five day clinic with Anne, getting a quick but warm hug and a gruff "well done Maggs" - it felt like I had won an Olympic gold medal.

Anne did not in those days, and this is some 15 years ago now, teach children and I think I might have been one of the few at that stage that she did teach but she was a wonderful coach and one who taught me life lessons for working with horses.

Those who were fortunate enough to know this wonderful lady will know just what a great loss she is to the Australian horseworld. She lost her battle with cancer but is now in a place where life is kind and gentle and there is no more pain and suffering..........Anne you will be missed by many and remembered forever - thankyou for all you taught me.