12/02/2025
📣📣Amazing Business shout out 📣📣
The moment I first stepped foot in Saddle Up Boonah, I felt the love that had been poured into every aspect of this ultra cool place! Always greeted with a smile and a willingness to help, I’ve asked Fiona to share with us some of her goals, tips to starting your own business and some info on her upcoming education session. Enjoy the read then head on over to her page and show your support 🤠💖
⭐️ I'm Fiona - Fee to everyone mostly. I'm a mum to two teenagers and I recently married the love of my life - Fin. Together we currently have four horses, Django the Anglo, Maggie the Appy, Charlie the Quarter horse and Duchess who is an Australian Stock Horse. We love them all and appreciate their totally different personalities.
🐴❤️ My love of horses started young, thanks to my dad’s racehorses. One stood out - Joe, or Godwin Star on the track. I was six or seven when I met this gorgeous bay with the sweetest nature. Every Saturday, as we arrived at the stables I’d call his name, and he’d nicker until I reached his gate. He’d nuzzle my hair as I led him out - no need to tie him, he just stood patiently, waiting to be groomed. I was so short I had to stand on a milk crate, but Joe would drift off to sleep as I brushed him.
At the end of the day, Dad and I would walk him to the sand box for a roll and a big shake. I never got to ride him - except for one morning at Ballina as we waited for the rain to stop in the day stalls. Joe's trainer gave me a leg up. I was jockey-sized then, and Joe thought we were off! He took one step forward before the crossties stopped him. We didn’t go anywhere, but I didn’t care - I was on top of the world!
❓What makes Saddle Up Boonah stand out from other retailers?
I like to think we’re more than just a store. We’re a family-run business, we're passionate about horses and the people who love them. We offer a thoughtfully curated and researched range of feed, minerals and supplements, tack, rider gear, and hoof care products and we pride ourselves on knowledgeable, personalised service. Plus, we could yarn all day about horses to be honest! We hope to become a trusted hub for people to find the support they need, and we're looking forward to supporting community events and being involved in as much equestrian activity in the area as we can.
❓What is your favourite item for sale in the shop right now?
It would have to be our Baxter boot range. Baxter is a good Aussie company that has been around since the 1800s. The quality of their boot construction is outstanding and the comfort factor unbelievable. We all know it usually it takes weeks to break in a new pair of boots - western or English, but not Baxters. I've even had customers who usually struggle to get into a pair of boots find their perfect fit with Baxter. I ride in the Baxter Dixie, and I wear it all day at work too. It's a beautiful boot and the comfiest I've owned.
❓What advice do you have for anyone that is looking to start their own business?
Do your research, ask a thousand questions, and if it stacks up, take that chance. Over the last 30 years I've had the opportunity to work for some amazing organisations, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) and what was originally the Australian Jockey Club at Royal Randwick and Warwick Farm, and all along, something kept drawing me back to horses and the bush. It sounds a bit woo woo, but sometimes you've just got to listen to your heart. Running your own business is not easy, but every day I put one foot in front of the other, I try to make new connections, and I keep thinking about different ways to market our business. You've got to be passionate about what you do and always follow through. Make a promise, keep a promise.
❓What are some of the goals you have set for 2025?
Actually, I'm going to get back on the horse this year! My competition riding took a back seat last year - with good reason as we started Saddle Up Boonah! But I'm going to spend a little time on myself and my personal riding goals in 2025 all while we kick some professional goals with the store!
❓Tell us about your upcoming event on the 22nd Feb?
No hoof, no horse will be the first in a series of horsemanship education sessions that Saddle Up Boonah is hosting in conjunction with the team at Teviot Park. Keeping our horses happy, healthy, and performing at their best literally starts from the ground up, and we’re lucky to have the team from Wells Farrier Service join us for a couple of hours to share their knowledge. I'm really excited about the event and can't wait to bring everyone together on the day 🐴🤠
