Orlando "a true workman" says proud owner of two-time Garryowen winner
- Fran Cleland
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
THERE have been few horses more talked about in the show world over the past few years than Simone Padoin’s elegant black gelding, Wynara Signature, aka Orlando.
The horse, apart from being a multi sash winner at the biggest shows around Australia, has the distinction of just becoming a two-time Garryowen-winning mount at Melbourne Royal, carrying Brynie Lee to take the trophy this year and her sister Ebonie in 2022.
Simone had been looking for a show hunter galloway when she purchased Orlando as a yearling from Lia Blacket of Wynara Stud eight years ago.
“I’ve always liked her diversity in bloodlines and the combination of the Part Welsh Riding Pony cross Thoroughbred lines,” she said.
“We chatted for a bit about her stock then Lia said she had a stunning black yearling that she would geld and should mature large galloway or there-abouts.
“She sent me a photo. He was in a couple hundred acres with the broodmares just cantering and I said SOLD!”
Orlando arrived at Simone’s property and she said that from the minute she put him in the paddock she knew the horse was special.
“When I choose my horses there’s three ‘must haves’ – trainable, movement and looks – he had all three,” Simone said.
“I watched him grow out in my paddocks and as most youngstock do he went through that ugly duckling stage, so I held him back to let him mature and grow.
“He was sent as a three-year-old to Luke Dawes and Reece Lawson to show at a couple of in-hand shows in his Part Welsh and Riding Pony classes and won a few titles including the Welsh international champion and led junior Part Welsh champion.”
Simone is patient with young horses so Orlando then went back into the paddock to grow some more, which he did – into a hack.
As a four-year-old he went to David Simons to start under saddle and Simone had her first sit on him.
After a little bit of work at home he was again turned out for a spell before being sent to the Lee family in 2021 as a five-year-old.
“I always wanted Brynie (Lee) in the saddle,” Simone said.
“All three girls rode him also, but Brynie was his partner.”
Orlando started his newcomer season late in 2021 and after just a couple of shows went champion at the Show Horse Council of Victoria Horse of the Year Show, so it was off to the Grand Nationals, where he placed fourth.
Then it was on to Sydney Royal with placings in all his classes.
Following her usual plan, Simone spelled Orlando over the winter at home then he returned to the Lee family for the 2022 season and the Adelaide and Melbourne royals.
He placed in his hack class at Melbourne and then went reserve champion child’s hack with Jessica Sharp in the saddle.
Then fate took a turn.
“Orlando wasn’t entered in the Garryowen that year, but Ebonie Lee’s ride unfortunately got vetted out, so I offered Orlando,” Simone said.
“I got the call on the Monday morning about 5am to say the entry was confirmed.
“It was all so exciting for me and totally unexpected but as soon as they hit the arena, they were a team – just stunning – and then they were the 2022 Garryowen winners.”
It was a great year for the team, with Orlando proving the perfect riding class mount, carrying both Brynie and Ebonie to significant wins.
Since then, he’s starred at grand nationals, horse of the year shows and royals, including standing second to the 2023 Garryowen winner Jessica Stalling and Verdict By Direction with Brynie riding.
When she asked if she could take the ride again for this year’s Garryowen, Simone’s answer, even though she felt Orlando had “done more than enough in Sydney”, was yes.
“I always stand by my word and she deserved the ride as she has been instrumental in his training and care and competitions throughout this four-year journey,” she said.
So, after spelling for six months and a short preparation, Orlando, aged nine and just hitting his prime, carried Brynie to a win in her riding class, reserve champion small hack and on to make their history-making claim on the 2025 Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout.
“I was so proud to be there in that crowd front right and centre with my friends and family cheering them on along,” Simone said.
“To hear them announced the winners of the 2025 Garryowen was just beautiful, another moment in history.”
Naturally, Simone has nothing but praise for Orlando, describing him as a true workman “who does his job”.
“He is tough and resilient and I think that’s what sets him aside from the rest,” she said.
“I make sure he has his downtime at home and then he goes back to the Lee family to prepare and campaign throughout his competitions.”
Orlando’s next big show will be representing Victoria at Equestrian Australia’s Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships on December 4-6 and then it will be time for another well-earned rest in the paddock.
At just nine, this horse still has a long future ahead of him and is sure to keep the show world talking.
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