The Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is very proud to pay tribute to three exceptional employees, in the fields of administration, horsemanship and leadership.
HTBA Employee of the Year (Administration) Award, Sponsored by New Era Technology.
Winner – Ms Julianne Christopher
This year’s HTBA Employee of the Year (Administration) Award goes to someone who is passionate, dedicated, an indefatigable worker and problem solver, a caring and loyal individual, former HTBA Executive Officer, Ms Julianne Christopher.
A country girl at heart, Julianne’s passion for horses, rearing livestock and exposure to equestrian sports started at a very young age at her family’s farm in Camden.
Her work in marketing, accounting, trainee to a law clerk and as a businesswoman in her own right, equipped her for the challenging role she performed as the HTBA’s Executive Officer for nearly a decade.
Julianne is a quiet achiever, stoically and methodically progressing the HTBA’s work with vision, initiative, and enthusiasm, supporting the HTBA Board and its members and confidently steering a course which fosters and promotes the industry and all who work in it.
Whether in good times or challenging times, such as COVID 19, Julianne has resourcefully and diligently applied her skills to solve problems and achieve real outcomes for the industry, such as facilitating the entry of Hunter horses across the Queensland border for the Magic Millions sales during COVID lockdowns.
Julianne has many crowning achievements and among these are her collaboration and championing of a workforce development program for the industry, securing over $2 million in grant funding for free industry training to over 600 new and existing trainees, and the establishment of the HTBA employee of the year awards in 2016.
Beloved wife, mother of two, influencer and mentor to many the HTBA is very proud to congratulate this year’s Employee of the Year (Administration) Award winner, Ms Julianne Christopher.
HTBA Employee of the Year (Horsemanship) Award, Sponsored by The Hunter Media Co.
Winner – Mr Roger Boulton
This year’s HTBA Employee of the Year (Horsemanship) Award is presented to a very astute horseman who is recognised for his passion, commitment, care and love of horses, racing and enthusiast of all horse sports, Mr Roger Boulton.
Roger is known as a man for all occasions and situation. His breadth of experience and hugely varied career includes the Hunting Field with the Duke of Beaufort Hunt, running his own livery stable and spans every facet of the thoroughbred breeding industry.
Arriving in Australia in the late 1980’s, Roger has worked with some of the Hunter Valley’s best horse people, including Peter Orton and Senga Bisset, before finding his long-term role in Godolphin almost two decades ago.
Roger’s innate horsemanship and calm understanding has equipped him to work in all facets of the Godolphin breeding system. He has overseen Godolphin’s mare preparation for breeding for some 15 years, which equates to the preparation of some 30,000 mares.
Roger is equally at home on the end of a stallion shank or loading a foal on the truck. In what can be a charged environment, Roger’s tranquil and unflappable approach to his handling of mares and stallions sets the tone for all around him.
Respected by his peers, a role model with his horsemanship skills, and a mentor to many the HTBA congratulates Mr Roger Boulton for his remarkable horsemanship talents and recognises his achievements by awarding him the 2023 HTBA Employee of the Year (Horsemanship) Award.
HTBA Employee of the Year (Leadership) Award, Sponsored by Morgan + English | Thoroughbred Recoveries and Safe Industries Australia Winner – Ms Jess Hood, Arrowfield Stud
This year’s HTBA Employee of the Year (Leadership) Award is presented to a person who started riding at the age of three and got a jump start in the industry at the age of 18 with her first job at Cornwall Park Stud. She has never looked back. Her career has spanned working at Marcus Oldham College, Baramul Stud, Lane’s End in Kentucky, Vinery Stud and for the past 24 years at Arrowfield Stud.
Throughout her stellar career, Jess has prepared many notable champions including the early progeny of Redoute’s Choice and his sons Not A Single Doubt and Snitzel, as well as Champion sires Danzero, Flying Spur and Hussonet and a bevy of other champions of the turf including Ms Finland, Weekend Hussler, and Group 1 winners Alverta, Forensics, Inspiration, Master of Design, Mentality and Reaan.
Jess’s personal highlights include the emergence of Redoute’s Choice as a Champion Sire and the launch of his first sire son Not A Single Doubt, who was bred, sold and raced by Arrowfield, before joining the Arrowfield roster in 2005.
Jess is a very valued and appreciated member of the Arrowfield family. Her career there has included yearling manager, managing staff and horses, engaging with buyers at sales and more recently as their head of administration responsible for a diverse range of responsibilities included human resources, equine transport, insurance, vetting, import and export; client hosting; breeding season support and yearling sales support.
Jess’ talent and skill as an administrator was recognised in 2022 as the recipient of the prestigious Australian Stud and Stable Staff Administration and Ancillary Award.
Jess has many talents. In addition to Jess being a veteran equine administrator, she is also a valued and respected mentor of many, and a leader among her peers. Her commitment and diligence is evident in everything she undertakes.
The HTBA congratulates Ms Jess Hood on her outstanding leadership and contribution to the industry by awarding her the 2023 HTBA Employee of the Year (Leadership) Award.
