Paul Wardell: Australian Stock Horse Society won’t comment on instructor’s accreditation

Paul Anthony Wardell was an accredited horse riding instructor and show judge when he abused two teenage girls. The society which hands out the accreditation won’t comment on his status.

The country’s largest horse breed association has refused to comment on whether sex offender and once-legendary stockman Paul Anthony Wardell has been stripped of his judging and coaching accreditation.

A jury found Wardell guilty of 23 charges relating to two teenage girls while they worked under his authority on his stock horse stud Silverthorn, near Gloucester.

Shania Madden and Ashley Whiting have received widespread support for revealing themselves as the Gloucester horse trainer’s victims after courageously reading out emotional victim impact statements as part of sentencing proceedings in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday.

Wardell was found guilty of 13 counts of aggravated sexual assault and six counts of indecent assault relating to Ms Madden and four counts of aggravated indecent assault relating to Ms Whiting.

“It has been overwhelming. I just want to express my gratitude, I have been blown away by the amount of people who have reached out, sent us messages and shown support,’’ Ms Madden said.

But while the show horse community has been rocked by Wardell’s convictions, the Australian Stock Horse Society, which it says represents about 9000 members across Australia, has declined to answer questions about Wardell’s membership or accreditation status.

Wardell was a highly-respected horsebreaker, trainer, riding coach and show judge before his crimes were revealed.

He used his property at Berrico, just outside of Gloucester, to coach countless young up-and-coming riders on horsemanship and travelled the country to both compete and judge at shows.

Wardell’s stock horse stud also employed young riders for work experience and paid employment on the sprawling property on the banks of the Gloucester River.

Wardell’s stud’s website says the 68-year-old was a level 1 accredited coach and judge registered with the Australian Stock Horse Society,

He has also been a long-term member of the society.

Wardell has been in custody since Tuesday when Coffs Harbour District Court Judge Jonathon Priestley revoked his bail.

He will hand down his sentence on October 22.

Even now Wardell has lost his liberty, the Australian Stock Horse Society said it would not offer comment on Wardell’s current standing within the society.

An office worker at the society’s Scone-based headquarters said chief executive officer Andrew Cooper would not be commenting on Wardell after The Newcastle News rang three times seeking comment.

Mr Cooper also did not reply to two emails asking about Wardell’s status as a member and as an accredited coach and judge.