In The Paddock With: Dearne Gess-Jones – Merricks Station

This month’s ‘In The Paddock With’ features Dearne Gess-Jones, Farm Manager at Merricks Station. Dearne brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication and passion to her work. She is a proud working mum to two daughters and takes great pride in her work and in caring for every horse on the farm.

Let’s get to know her a little better.

Q: Coffee or tea?

A: Coffee, black

Q: Pineapple on pizza: culinary crime or unfairly maligned?

A: No pineapple, just wrong.

Q: Early bird or night owl?

A: Both live in a state of little sleep.

Q: Country or city – where does your heart really belong?

A: Country to the core.

Q: What's your go-to Saturday night meal?

A: Red Thai Curry Rice and prawn crackers.

Q: Fashion or form guide at the races?

A: Form guide.

Q: A perfect day off looks like...

A: Early start to watch the sunrise. Have the farm done early to catch my girls play sport or watch them show jump on their ponies and walk the dog, a rose, good meal on the deck with some 80's rock. Actually I get these days it's important to sustain my happiness.

Q: What's a skill you have that would surprise people who know you professionally?

A: I played Touch rugby at state level as a junior.

Q: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

A: Work with what you have, meaning make do and get it done. And if you don't ask, you don't learn.

Q: What's a TV show or book you'd recommend?

A: Book first, then Movie - The Power of One. I love the acceptance of difference, strength of character, and determination shown.  

Q: If you weren't in the thoroughbred industry, what would you be doing?

A: I have no other path; I was meant to do this.

Q: What's the biggest lesson the racing and breeding industry has taught you?

A: Look at the big picture; patience, empathy, and kindness go a long way.

Q: What's something you believed 10 years ago that you've completely changed your mind on?

A: That I can tell my children what to do and they will do it! That's just not true. lol

Q: What's the most memorable meal you've ever had, and where was it?

A: Lobster Bisque in Kangaroo Island.

Q: What's still on your bucket list?

A: Ride a bull.

Q: What's a place in Australia (or the world) you think is underrated and everyone should visit?

A: I trekked into the jungle in Congo to see the Silver Back Gorillas, was incredible, loved every bit of it!

Q: Who is someone - famous or not - that you think deserves more recognition?

A: Working Mothers. Mothers day is just not enough, they need Mother's Week!

Q: What was your very first job, and what did it teach you?

A: Yearling groom at Little Avondale Stud in NZ. It taught me that hard work and persistence pays off.

Q: If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be?

A: My grandfather (who has passed), Robin Williams, and Magda Szubanski.

Q: Tell us something that went hilariously wrong in your career and what you did about it.

A: I had an embarrassing incident in the breeding shed once - you could say I had egg on my face, but all I could do was laugh and hold my mouth very tightly closed.

Q: What does success look like to you?

A: I am living my success. I have a wonderful patient Farm owner, we have great horses, I raise my children in the country and although we aren't rich, my life is rich. This is my goal I set 15 years ago, and I get to live it every day.

Q: What's currently on your bedside table?

A: My Phone with a podcast the help me sleep and a foal alarm.

Q: What's one habit that keeps you grounded?

A: I run through my ideas out loud to find the right form of action. It sounds silly, but it prevents panic and helps me process how I want to address the situation.

Q: What's a widely held opinion in the breeding industry you'd respectfully push back on?

A: NSW Breeders Breed better horses. I think Victoria has the best land in the country.

Q: What do you know now that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

A: Everyone makes mistakes, its how you learn from it that counts. You are only as good as the person beside you, so share your knowledge.

Q: Who’s the funniest person you know?

A: Shane Keating. He will always make me smile.

Q: What’s your favourite industry-related memory? It could be your favourite horse, a race, an event, or meeting someone. 

A: I feel like I have grown up doing this. I have met so many incredible people, and this year I returned overseas for the first time in 15 years, and I saw so many of my friends I met from my early days, and it filled my heart! And Tuvalu - Merricks Station's first Group One-bred winner - is forever a highlight for me.

Q: What made you smile today?

A: My Team working with the foals. I showed them a technique, and they listened and tried it, and the foals were excellent.