Tarni McCormack (Woodhead)
EA Level 2 General Coach, Trainer, SSTA, QOTT Approved Coach,
& Bit Bank Australia Certified Coach
A Proud History
Woodcrest Equestrian was established in 2009 by Tarni McCormack (Woodhead) — EA Level 2 General Coach, SSTA and QOTT Approved Coach — with more than 25 years of competition and training experience.
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Throughout her career, Tarni has successfully developed both horses and riders across multiple disciplines including Eventing, Jumping, Dressage and Working Equitation. She is passionate about building strong foundations and is currently working towards becoming a Coach Educator, helping to support and develop the next generation of equestrian coaches.
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Tarni has trained with many highly respected riders and trainers throughout her career. Her greatest influences include Australian Eventing Coach Tony Manca, Olympic Event Rider Kevin McNab, and Germany’s Olympic Dressage Gold Medallist Heike Kemmer. A career highlight was spending time training in Germany with Heike Kemmer in 2009, where Tarni had the opportunity to ride and train several of her horses, including Royal Rubin, a Grand Prix stallion.
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Team Woodcrest is a supportive community of dedicated riders who share a passion for learning and improving their horsemanship. Members benefit from a private social media group that provides an additional learning platform, allowing riders to share experiences, training insights and support each other’s progress.
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Tarni’s honest and thoughtful coaching approach focuses on helping riders truly understand the foundations of training so they can develop the skills to become trainers of their own horses. This approach has enabled many riders to progress quickly and achieve success in their chosen disciplines. In recognition of her students’ achievements and her commitment to coaching excellence, Tarni was named a finalist for Equestrian Queensland Coach of the Year in 2015, 2018 and 2019.
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Woodcrest Equestrian also has a proud history of successfully matching horses and riders, helping to create lasting partnerships built on suitability and trust. With extensive experience in training, assessing and producing horses, Tarni carefully evaluates each horse’s temperament, ability and potential to ensure the right fit for each rider.
At Woodcrest, honesty, integrity and transparency are fundamental values. Full and accurate information about every horse’s history, temperament, experience, achievements and future prospects is always provided, allowing buyers to make informed and confident decisions.
Our reputation and ethical standards are far more important than a quick sale, because at Woodcrest Equestrian, the goal is always to create successful, long-term partnerships between horse and rider.
"Thank you so much for all you have done to successfully train, market and sell our 2 Animate showjumper youngsters. We highly recommend your professional, thorough and considerate care of horses entrusted into your care. Best luck for whatever the future holds, may it be very bright. We will certainly recommend your services to any of our friends or clients."
- Julian & Gina Willmore
" Thank you Tarni for your encouragement and support in what has been the realisation of a life long dream".
- Charnel Esterhuizen
"Can't believe my little Elle is travelling all the way to Western Australia to her new home. Thank you so much to Tarni Woodhead from Woodcrest Equestrian for the amazing training and preparation of her, Ann Stevens and I can't recommend you enough! "
- Ann & Laura Stevens
"Once again I would like to say thank you for all your efforts. It is great to deal with someone who is so clearly honest and as easy to deal with as you have been. I hope you find a great home for Lily."
- Rose Deo
"I am putting pen to paper, in thanks to Tarni Woodhead who has cared for our horse through the process of preparing her for sale. Tarni has had our horse on her property since January 2012, for training and agistment. When I made the decision to put our horse on the market, it was up to Tarni to take care of preparing her for sale. The condition of our horse was superb, she shone and was in great spirits, had been ridden regularly and behaved beautifully.
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This is to recognise all the work Tarni put in, she treated our horse as if it were her own. We feel that we could not have had a better carer. Dealings throughout the time our horse was with Tarni, were always professional and she was treated as a No.1 priority. I have no hesitation in recommending Tarni Woodhead and Woodcrest Equestrian to anyone who wants to sell their horse whilst having the best in care and training."