The Wishful Thinkers were started in 1993 by Zara Urquhart and they ride in her racing colours, a distinctive red with white hooped sleeves and pink cap.  There have been many riders over the years but the present intermediate team has been a fairly consistent one for the last 4 years. In spring 2009, we won the Taunton Vale, Fernie and Berks and Bucks.  Despite numerous attempts we have failed to put together a competitive open team though will probably try again at some stage!

In an exciting new development, Simon Coady, his horses and the Wishful Thinkers team are now receiving sponsorship from TUFFROCK PTY LTD.   They are an Australian company that produce a range of poultices and horse conditioning supplements: check them out on www.tuffrock.net.

Lead Rider

Simon Coady, Zara’s husband who arrived from Australia in 1996 and has been a competitive member ever since.  His style has improved greatly since those early days and being Australian he is very competitive and hates losing! It has been a steep learning curve and he has now somewhat mastered the great British skill of losing gracefully!  He also enjoys point to pointing when he has a suitable horse and hunt races: a win in Leics would be nice one day.
As well as leading the Wishful Thinkers to 3 wins in spring 2009, Simon also led the Farmers Bloodhounds to wins at the Taunton Vale (dead heat with the Wishful Thinkers) and Heythrop, then finished the season with a win in the open at the Berks and Bucks with Berkeley R Us.

Lead Horse:  Usually Charlie who came out of a racing yard in Ireland.  His then owner had greyhounds and Charlie was proving such a useless racehorse that we were told either we had him or the greyhounds did.  He has turned into a consistent and quick lead team chase horse and though rather plain, gets the job done - we think of him as our Volvo.  Look for the white go-faster stripes on his neck from an early misguided attempt to stop him crib biting!

Second Rider:

Chloe Stewart claims she has 2 passions in life: high heels and team chasing: if not in one she is doing the other!  She joined us 4 years ago with a win at the VWH so was allowed to stay. She now says the faster the better and the more scared she looks the more she is enjoying herself.  Usually fortified by sloe gin, her ambition is to overtake Simon but as she becomes very blond in front, luckily it does not happen often!

Second Horse: Biggy who likes to pretend he is a TB but the furry ears and chunky legs point to some ID influence too. Usually found in second spot but will lead if Simon goes awol. A consistent all round performer who also events and does elementary dressage, competing at the National Championships.

Third Rider:

Stuart Radbourne

Stuart is Wiltshire born and bred and loves his hunting: he started as a whip with the Avon Vale and is now one of the field masters.  He was introduced to team chasing when he tried a horse that was for sale at a team chase: they got round, he bought the horse and has been team chasing ever since.

Third Horse:

Massey

Another ex racehorse, Massey actually started life in Ireland in Aiden O’Brien’s yard then went on to Singapore  so is the most well travelled of our horses.  A fairly new addition, he is just moving up to the intermediate classes so fingers crossed.  He is quite adept at getting rid of Stuart before the start so we hope he settles down once going!

Fourth Rider:

Frankie Price

A new recruit, Frankie is presently studying at Cirencester Ag College and can be found out hunting regularly with the Beaufort.  She has been team chasing for about 4 years with various teams and will now hopefully have a successful future with the Wishful Thinkers!

Fourth Horse:

Daisy:  you’ve guessed it - yet another ex-racehorse! This one has also had the benefit - or not, depending on how you look at it - of some eventing!