Spotlight on our Stars - Kerry Jones

Born in Kent, South East London, emigrated aged 11 to Tokoroa, and mother to eight-year-old Matthew, Kerry Jones is the epitome of a career horsewoman.

“I love them (horses) and couldn't imagine doing anything else,” she said.

“But, I try to stay away from getting too attached to them.  It gets harder as you get older, as you do get attached and it gets too heartbreaking at the end when they retire or go off to become a broodmare.

“I rode Xtravagant early on and right up until he went down south for (2000) Guineas and it is a thrill. You get a thrill out of riding such a good horse.

“But, you always have your favourite rides.”

Her parents, recently retired to Matamata, owned five florist shops in the U.K., before deciding on a lifestyle change, shifting to buy a four-acre block and florist business in Tokoroa, and although Jones was introduced to horses in the U.K, it was not until arriving here with her parents and two sisters that her involvement blossomed.

“I used to go to a riding school at the weekends when I was ten in the U.K., where basically you used to work and then get a free lesson on a Saturday/Sunday and that was my start in learning how to ride,” she said.

“When I arrived here I got my own horse and started pony club.  We were surrounded by dairy farms, so I used to milk cows before and after school to pay for my horses.  I had one horse and then two, once I got a bit more money, and only had two event horses at a time.”

Jones competed in One Day Events and Horse Trials.

Leaving home aged 17 to embark on a career of riding thoroughbreds in training at Matamata, she became one of the most sought after and respected in her profession.

“It was my first introduction to racehorses and I worked full-time,” she said.

“It was my first time away from home and all pretty new to me, as I'd only ever done pony club and events.

“But I travelled horses to Australia when I was eighteen and when I came back I worked for Te Akau for a couple of years when Mark Walker was trainer, fifteen years ago.”

Known for having travelled horses to Australia, Jones has made a living as a freelance track work rider, although often also attached full-time to a stable and been back in the Te Akau ranks since September last year.

“Kerry first came to work for us fifteen years ago and she's one of these women who can really understand what goes on in a horse's mind,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis, of the head foreperson at the main stable.

“She is an unbelievably talented horsewoman, would be a huge asset to any stable in the world, a really top rider, and relates well on how a horse in progressing.  She's a very good judge and another one of these extremely reliable and great people to have in the stable,” he said.

“I run the main stable (45 boxes) and still ride a bit of work,” Jones said.

“Te Akau is very well organised and we have a good team of staff, and they employ good people.  They put in the hard yards and get results, really.  Dave (Ellis) has a good eye and buys top horses, and that always helps because you can't win races with slow horses.

“Being able to work with such nice horses and good horses always makes the job easier and to get out of bed at three o'clock in the morning.

“The horses are really starting to step up now, after coming through a horrible winter patch and a wet spring, and they're all looking good and working up well.  The results are starting to show and without the good staff you can't run the place.  That's where everyone needs to be recognised because it really is a team effort.

“It's great to see the young people coming through and be able to help them. Pass on knowledge and all the things I've learnt over the years, from other people.

“I'm happy, the job is good and it works in for me, and my life has been horses, to be fair.

“I got my first craving for horses when I was ten, and I love it.”

With parents now living in the same town, it enabled Jones to travel stable-mates Xtravagant (Pentire) and Shillelagh (Savabeel) in September to Melbourne.

“I was there for three and a half months and I do love it over there. It's like a second home and the racing has a really good atmosphere, but I've got to be realistic and think of my son Matthew,” she said.

“Matthew got two awards last week and he's pretty stoked with himself.

“He got best team player for cricket and a Principal's award at school assembly, so he's done really well this year,” said Jones, as she reflected on the loss his father Hayden Allen.

Allen (40) was a sad loss to the racing community in Matamata, when he died in his sleep in February 2015, and although no longer together as partners, it was a blow for Jones.

“We were like best mates with a child, basically,” she said.

“It's been hard on Matthew but kids are resilient. From last February to the end of the year he had his moments, which is understandable, but this year he has ‘grown another leg'.  It's sunk in and he realises that his dad is not coming back, but we always talk about it and he certainly doesn't forget about him,” she said.