Tony was born in Bowral, NSW and began riding at Smokey Dawson’s Ranch at the age of 5. He has nearly 35 years of experience working with horses in the entertainment industry.

As a youngster he followed his dream to have a career in the entertainment industry, starting at sixteen working as a wrangler on the ABC TV series Ben Hall. From there he worked on numerous commercials, film and television series.

During his early years of riding, Tony took a special interest in harness horses, long distance endurance horse racing and liberty horse training. As a young man he was fortunate enough to work with many of Australia’s top horse trainers in the film and entertainment industry.

He gained Veterinary qualifications in the early 70’s which enabled him to develop his knowledge of horses even further.

He attended the first World Equestrian Games held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1989 as a strapper and team farrier. The horse Tony trained, shod and strapped for in the 100 mile race, won a bronze medal and was the only Australian horse to win a place.

Since these early experiences, Tony has worked in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific as well as in the USA and the Middle East organising special events and coordinating horses and other animals in film and television. He has worked closely with many famous Australian and overseas actors, singers and entertainers including Vanessa Redgrave, Jack Thompson, Sam Neill, Heath Ledger, Guy Pearce, David Gulpilil, Lee Kernigan and Dolly Parton to name just a few.

Tony’s long list of credits includes TV shows, feature films (most recently The Proposition), special events including Opening and Closing ceremonies for the World Endurance Games in Dubai (2005), live shows (The Man from Snowy River Arena Spectacular and Equitana Asia Pacific.) Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tony has worked with over 300 horses on one particular film – in Pursuit of Honor.

The pinnacle of his career was as Horse Master of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2000 where his role was to select and coordinate the training of 140 stock horses and their riders, 40 wranglers and other staff for the most important performance of his career. This was definitely an experience never to be forgotten.

Tony is currently working as consultant and Horse Master at the only world class equine facility and live dinner show in Australia on the Gold Coast - The Australian Outback Spectacular. Tony’s involvement with The Australian Outback Spectacular goes back to its inception. Following research into similar dinner shows in America, Tony was asked to consult with management at Warner Village Theme Parks. He was instrumental in building a footprint for the horses, livestock and performers, having also had experience coordinating The Man From Snowy River Arena Show that travelled Australia in 2004. It has long been his dream to bring Australia’s horse heritage to the forefront and allow audiences to experience this country’s history.

Tony continues to be involved in supplying the Australian and New Zealand tv, film and special events industries with horses, horsemen, livestock and equipment through his business AnimalDreaming. He specialises in the training of liberty and stunt horses as well as harness horses. He also coordinates and consults in the use of other animals i.e. exotic and domestic for film and television and special events.