AMIGO

Born on May 12, 2009, and standing a solid 16.3hh, Migo is a proud Westphalian gelding bred by Franz-Josef and Henriette Hagen. His pedigree is impressive, sired by Arpeggio—who interestingly appears in the dam line of Josh Collins’ stallion Cornel—and out of Pitou by Pilot. With such an exceptional lineage, it’s no surprise that Migo has made a name for himself across multiple disciplines.

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Migo’s story took a defining turn on Christmas Eve in 2014 when he was purchased from Germany—an unforgettable Christmas present for Rachael Lee. Recommended by Stuart and Karen Tinney, he was the first horse Rachael imported from Europe, and little did she know, he would go on to change her career entirely.

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As an eventer, Migo’s talent was evident early on. At just five years old, he was crowned the Champion of Champions Young Event Horse at the Sydney International 3DE. From there, he only soared higher, winning and placing at every FEI level, all the way up to 4*. At just nine years old, he became the youngest horse in the field at the 2018 Adelaide CCI5*, a competition that many Australian eventers dream of reaching.

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But Migo wasn’t just an eventing star—his talent in the showjumping ring became impossible to ignore. Over the past couple of years, he has accumulated top-five and top-ten finishes in Mini Prixs and Riders Cups from 2022 to 2024. Towards the end of last season, he took the next leap, competing in his first Grand Prix and World Cup level events. Few horses in the world can claim to have competed at both 5* eventing and World Cup showjumping, making Migo an incredibly special athlete.

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Despite his calm and sensible nature, Migo has a fiery side—one that can switch from zero to one hundred in an instant. “90% of the time, he’s like a puppy dog, but that 10%? He’s a fire-breathing dragon,” Rachael laughs. It’s this perfect balance of relaxation and competitive drive that has made him the champion he is today.

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Of all his quirks, the most amusing is his habit of sticking his tongue out—a trait he’s had since the beginning. It’s just Migo being Migo! But if there’s one thing he dislikes, it’s water sprinklers. Whether it’s paddock irrigation, arena watering, or even rain, Migo wants no part of it. Interestingly, that fear never extended to eventing’s massive water jumps—those, he tackled with ease. And one more quirk? He’s not the biggest fan of Rachael’s husband, Hayden. “He acts like a jealous boyfriend,” Rachael says. “Sweet and angelic for me, but naughty and boisterous for Hayden. I think he figures he was in my life first, so he’s my number one!”

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One of the most defining moments in Migo’s career came at the Willinga Park Mini Prix in 2022. Up until that point, showjumping had been a secondary pursuit for Rachael. But after training with George Sanna, who saw Migo’s potential, she decided to take the plunge. Entering the Mini Prix somewhat naively, she quickly realized just how big the fences were. But with no expectations, she went for it—and to her delight, Migo jumped double clear, finishing fifth in a field of seasoned showjumpers. That day changed everything. It was the moment Rachael realized Migo wasn’t just a 5* eventer—he was a true showjumper, and perhaps she was ready to make the switch too.

 

Now, the focus is on showjumping. With their sights set on competing at Grand Prix and World Cup level events, the pair are preparing for major competitions like the GDP Grand Prix and the World Cup at DJWTS. But beyond the accolades, Rachael’s goal is simple—to enjoy every ride and cherish the incredible journey she’s had with Migo. 

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“I feel that I owe this special horse so, so much for all he has done for me over the past ten years. We’ve travelled all around Australia together competing at the top level of two equestrian disciplines… So many ribbons won, so many wonderful experiences together, he has given me his all. Amigo is my heart horse, my best friend, and he owes me absolutely nothing. My long term plan is to keep him happy and healthy for the rest of his competition career, however long or short that may be, and his home will be forever with me.”

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From eventing superstar to showjumping sensation, Migo is proof that a horse with heart and talent knows no limits. His story is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what he and Rachael accomplish next.

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Photographers: 

Stephen Mowbray

Geosnapshot

Libby Law

Shelle Smith

Australian Jumping 

Michelle Terlato