Jay Green is Colt Starting Australia’s new kid on the block in 2020’s Central Highlands Colt Starting Challenge.

Haling from Beaudesert in the Scenic Rim region of Queensland, Jay is a dedicated and passionate horse trainer like no other.

He brings a unique perspective to horse training, coming from his background in education. He currently works full time at Walloon State School in addition to training in the evenings and mornings with a 1.5 hour commute, which is a testament to his dedication.

His passion for teaching has certainly influenced his methods of starting a horse.

“Starting a horse is like teaching a child. It’s all about pressure and release. When to apply it, and when to let it go,” he shared. “Horses don’t learn from pain or fear, in fact, you need to remove those things to teach them.”

Jay’s life has always revolved around horses, starting his first horse at age 11 and competing across many disciplines his whole life. He has come away with some impressive titles over the years, including multiple wins and placings in Rope & Tie, and Team Roping in the National Rodeo Association (NRA), and Cowboy Up Challenge Winner.

He has learned everything from the best right from the start. His dad, Frank Green is a legendary horse trainer with over 40 years experience under his belt. His resume includes training all of the horses and riders in the film “Australia” (2006), and even receiving an endorsement from Hugh Jackman. In turn, Frank learned from his father who was also an avid competitor and still holds a water jump record in Brisbane.

There is no doubt that working with horses runs in Jay’s blood.

Under his dad’s guidance, Jay has honed his skills and refined his techniques to become the incredible trainer he is today, and in 2019 he had no choice but to prove it. When Frank was struck with a bad bout of flu which led to a 6 week coma, Jay took over training his dad’s horses.

His hard work from those few months culminated in topping the landmark sales of that year. “It was better than winning any competition,” he says. “Now they know who I am.”

There is no question Jay is a busy man, but as he puts it, you don’t get tired doing something you love.

Although the challenge has been postponed, Jay is still ready to showcase the best of his abilities. When the show goes on, he is planning on bringing all of the unique knowledge and experience he has to Emerald’s Ag Grow, and by the end of it we will all certainly know who he is.