20 QUESTIONS
A : When I let go of the ego. I was always fairly handy and had a good feel, but letting go of the ego took my horse training to the next level.
Q: What do you find the hardest thing to train a horse to do? A : On set there is a delivery date. That really looms over you on film productions. Keeping the horse in a relaxed frame of mind when shooting begins in two weeks puts a lot of pressure on the situation.
Q: I’ve heard you were a stunt double for Orlando Bloom. Were you picked for your good looks or stunt riding abilities? A : Of course for my good looks! We supplied the horses for Gregor Jordan’s Ned Kelly. I was galloping through the bush firing guns as Orlando’s character Joe.
Q: Any big names who were really good to work with? A : Russell Crowe with The Silver Brumby and the True History of the Kelly Gang, Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, and Mackezie Foy was brilliant to work with.
Q: What are some of the movies and TV shows you’ve worked on? A : Other than the ones I’ve mentioned, Black Beauty for Disney +, The Dressmaker, The Pacific, the Gallipoli miniseries, Racing Stripes, The Witcher and many, many more.
Q: Have you trained other animals besides horses? A : I’ve trained water buffalo, parrots, dogs, monkeys, zebras, donkeys, mules, cats (they’re actually quite cool to train), sheep (which I found quite similar to training horses), kangaroos, and emus just to name a few. In my business you name it, we tame it!
Q: Have you worked at any particularly interesting locations? A : All over South Africa, India, Hungary, Turkey, New Zealand. I’m blessed that I’ve been able to work in all these places.
Q: When you’re not riding, how do you relax? A : Exploring, which is non-existent at the moment during COVID. Even going for a drive and finding a new restaurant is good fun.
ABOVE: Cody and his unicorn shooting a TV commercial. LEFT: Rehearsing before the day’s shoot.
Q: What do you look for in a potential
Q: What is something from your line
liberty horse? A : Willingness
of work that could benefit the
Q: If you weren’t in the liberty/movie
A : Pay attention to relaxation. Also, have
industry, what would you be doing? A : I would be training and helping horses with ‘problems’.
a bit of grit.
Q: What’s the first thing you look to
A : A horse called Windy. She was an
work on with a ‘problem’ horse? A : Regardless of the ‘problem’ you need to start by getting their attention.
Q: Is there any particular issue you
everyday rider?
Q: If you could have any horse past or present which one would it be? Andalusian and was taken before her time. She was the most amazing horse. Every horse I touch, Windy has taught me something that helps. She gave me
really enjoy fixing? A : I enjoy seeing the process with a horse that’s fearful, or has had trouble with humans, and gaining their trust. There is satisfaction in the end. More recently, I’m enjoying helping racehorses with barrier issues.
so much.
Q: Are you afraid of anything? A : Anything that is designed to eat you!
which is for anyone interested in my film
Q: What are your plans for the future? A : To keep training horses locally. When COVID settles down the international film industry will open up again. I’m also doing up my website www.crhlivestock.com work, hosting a clinic, or booking lessons. E Q U E S T R I A N H U B . C O M . AU | 111
