By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Lexi Nolan wanted a horse with attitude – and it sounds like she’s got exactly that in Elsu gelding No Way Else.
“I like the spicy ponies,” says the 19-year-old, “he’s got a big personality. And he is pretty.”
The pair have had a great start to 2025, crowned the Champion at January’s North Island Standardbred Championships and then winning the Harness to Hack event at the Waikato Equestrian Centre in late March.
At the latter, against 12 other competitors, they won the In-hand and Jumping disciplines and were second in the Ridden and Dressage.
“And we got the most points to win overall,” says Nolan, “it’s one of the best achievements we have had so far.”
The combo was up against some high-profile names as well.
For example, the Novice champion was Bolt for Brilliance and well-known racing personality Jo Ferguson while the Pleasure category was won by Zoe Cobb and Mach Shard. The 2022 Rowe Cup champion Bolt For Brilliance retired in 2023 after winning 21 races while Mach Shard was a great campaigner with 20 wins including last year’s amazing Taylor Mile – Messenger double.
As a racehorse No Way Else was a good performer too. By $2m earner and multiple Group 1 winner Elsu, the black gelding started with the Chmiels in Canterbury before heading up north to Arna Donnelly. Overall, he won eight from 91, with his last race in 2017.
After being approached to buy him, Nolan says she was taken by him right from the start.
“I walked and trotted him on a real muddy paddock and took him home the same day,” she says, “he’s the first horse I’ve owned myself.”
Now known as “Percy” he’s been to around 20 to 25 competitions and Horse of the Year twice.
“He improves every single time we go out.”
“Next year I want to go to HOY and finish in the top five in both the In-hand and Ridden.”
And she has ambition for Percy beyond that.
“I really want him to do cross country and eventing – that’s the dream.”
Away from the equestrian world Nolan works as a teachers aide and is a cheerleader and cheerleading coach.
It’s a busy life – but just what you’d expect from someone who likes “spicy ponies”.
Event : From Harness to Hack
Dates : March 22 and 23
Location : Waikato Equestrian Centre
Open sponsored by Lawson Forge and Equine Services
