Downes Equestrian Services is run by John and Cheryl Downes. John's philosophy in horse training in riding promotes empathy and kindness for the horse, whilst maintaining classical principles to help the horse and student to become the best they can be at their chosen discipline. John teaches students from all walks of life, any age and experience. John is able to teach equestrian disciplines such
as dressage, show jumping, hacking, working equitation, horse archery, driving, horsemanship and long reining. John also specialises in working with young horses. John's Equitation Qualifications and Achievements include:
• Equestrian Australia Level 1 General Coach
• (Former) “C” Level Dressage Judge
• Equestrian Australia Show Horse Judge
• Andalusian Show Horse Judge
• (Former) Queensland Dressage Squad Member
• Best performed Queensland combination at New South Wales State Championships
• Winner Queensland’s Inaugural Young Horse Class
• Winner of Novice Futurity Toowoomba Championships
• Runner-up Futurity Sunshine Coast Championships
• Andalusian State Long Reining Champion
• Hot Summer Nights Preliminary and Novice Champion
• PRARG Summer Series Novice Champion
• (Former) Member of Australian Olympic Athlete Program
• Reserve Champion Saddle Horse World Crabbet Convention
• Elwyn Bligh Arabian Reserve Champion
• Winner Arabian Costume Classes
• Winner Arabian Bridle Path Hack, Show Hunter of Australian Pleasure Classes
• Andalusian State Dressage Champion
• East Moreton Stock Horse Dressage Champion
• ANSA Stock Horse Certificates of Merit, Superior and Supreme Levels
• Winner Fraser Coast Medium and Elementary Dressage
Levels
• Wide Bay Novice Reserve Dressage Champion
• Wide Bay Preliminary Dressage Champion
John's Qualifications and Achievements in Archery include:
• Overall South East Queensland Horse Archery Prepatory Champion
• 5 Overall Club Championships – Field Archery including Australian Bowhunters Association and Archery Australia
• 8 State Titles
• 4 National Titles
• 9 State Records
• 3 National Records
• 2 Ken White Memorial Trophies
• Grand Master in Australian Bowhunter’s Association. One of only four in Australia and the only person to achieve this distinction with a recurve bow
• Master Barebow Shooter in Australian Archery Association. One of only two in Australia
• Member of World Archery Titles Training Squad
• Selected as member of World Championship Team
