Renowned horse trainer recovers as community rallies

THE compassion and understanding of friends and clients has helped Jay Green remember there's some humanity left in the world.

THANKS: Jay Green on Willingapark Glitters Destiny. Picture: Contributed

THE compassion and understanding of friends and clients has helped Jay Green remember there's some humanity left in the world.

When his father, renowned horse trainer Frank Green, fell sick in late March, he had been busily preparing a number of horses for the Landmark Supreme Horse Sales in Toowoomba earlier this month.

What was initially thought to be the flu developed into Influenza A and pneumonia, leaving the elder in an induced coma in Prince Charles Hospital for 15 days.

As he fought to recover, his son Jay stepped in to take over the horse training, drawing on the life-long skills he'd learned growing up and being supported by the equine community.

That support and skills developed over a lifetime, and with his dad in the back of his mind, Mr Green - a teacher at Walloon State School - trained the horses morning and night around school hours.

His dedication paid off with one of the horses, Willngapark Glitters Destiny, fetching the highest price at the illustrious sales at $31,500.

"There was a lot of pressure because if we did poorly, it would reflect on (dad)," Mr Green said.

"He had done a fantastic job with the horses prior to the sale. What it really shows is the horses were broken well enough for a school teacher from Walloon to go on and still do well."

Mr Green Snr, formerly of Lockyer Valley, was released from hospital last week but, having come out of the induced coma, was able to watch the horse sale via a livestream in hospital.

With his son stepping in to train the horses, Mr Green Snr was able to still earn an income and relieve the financial pressure as he recovers.

For the younger Mr Green, the fact he had the support of his school community, friends and clients Matthew and Caz Crane of MCC Performance Horses has helped restore his faith in humanity.

"It was a real community effort; a lot of people got in and helped myself get through for dad," he said.

"It shows there a bit of humanity left in the world."

Originally published as Renowned horse trainer recovers as community rallies