17/07/2025
Hi everyone,
I've seen a few nasty posts on social media circulating about me, so I just thought I would share my side of the story.
I helped rehome a Standardbred who was in poor condition on behalf of a woman who didn’t know much about horse care. In the 7 days I had him, I ensured he had had his teeth done, bloods taken, was wormed, trimmed, hard-fed, and generally brought back into better condition.
Unfortunately, someone made an anonymous complaint to MPI. As is standard procedure, they came to investigate — when they visited I know longer had the SB in my care. I have continued to work with MPI and been completely transparent.
Despite this, Danielle Stanaway then asked me to leave the property and gave me just two weeks to find new grazing, in the middle of winter. This was extremely disappointing and stressful.
For a long time, I’ve felt like I was walking on eggshells around both Danielle and Cat Ashurst (who helps her with her business). Even though I sensed I wasn’t particularly liked, I always tried my best to contribute positively — trimming their minis, riding horses, judging their ribbon day, building SJ courses, recommending them to others, and even offering cheap or free lessons to help generate arena hire income. I did all of this to be helpful and supportive.
That’s why I’m so upset by how this has been handled. It feels unfair and unprofessional. At the end of the day, I’m 16, trying my hardest to make a name for myself in the horse world, doing things properly and ethically. I always try to do my best by the horse and anyone who knows me would vouch for this (Even a SB that others suggested putting down I saw value in his life and the fact he was a SB as opsed to some fancy warmblood meant no difference to me). But now Im being treated as though I’m a problem.
I’m sharing this not to create drama, but to be honest about what happened and trying to defend myself, I was at a point I was prepared to let it all go even tho Cat has not returned my gear... Now shes put up a post on her Page completely defaming my name, which has now been taking down but is still circulating through are very small horse community.
Thank you to those who’ve supported me — it means the world right now.
— Dan
Born To Fly
