Hold Em Up had a less than impressive racing career but it’s clear that the equestrian lifestyle was his true calling.
Making his way to the Off The Track rehoming program in October 2021, it wasn’t until 2023 that he caught the eye of Jasmine Holligan who say big Max advertised through Bayley Thomas.
“I saw Max on Facebook in 2023 advertised by Bayley Thomas, and at first I wasn’t really looking but I kept seeing Bayley posting updates on him and in the end I couldn’t resist going and seeing him.
“I fell in love with him as soon as I rode him.” Holligan said.
The pair didn’t take long to gel and in May 2023 they head to their first event together, the SPPHAWA Dual Code show.
“He was very overwhelmed but tried extremely hard and that’s all I wanted for his first show, it was only his second outing overall, so the exposure was more important than anything.”
Proving to be the poster boy for standardbreds, Hold Em Up is a horse of many talents, fantastic on the trails, can turn his hoof at some show jumping and has plenty of presence in the dressage and show ring, there isn’t anything Max can’t or won’t do.
“I would say his biggest strength would be his big heart, he always tries extremely hard to please even when he is unsure and gets his confidence from me, which makes me be more confident in myself for him when we are out together.”
Hold Em Up’s journey through the off the track program was a lengthy one, spending time at numerous trainers and requiring treatment on numerous occasions for ulcers,
“There have been quite a few setbacks with him being a sensitive horse and an internal stressor.
“When I first got him, he would kick out at leg pressure, and bum jump (pathetic pigroot) which took a while to train out of him, he only occasionally bum jumps now.
“Being sensitive, he is prone to ulcers, so sorting his tummy out has helped immensely and of course keeping on top of it.”
Max and Jasmine head back to where it all began for them, the SPPHAWA Dual Code Spectacular for 2025 and they cleaned up, with Max claiming top spot in the Best Presented Sporthorse for the led component of the show, going on to win the Off The Track Walk/Trot Classic.
“I’m still absolutely over the moon with Max and how he performed out in the ring for it and I’m so unbelievably proud of him.”
Hold Em Up at the Dual Code Spectacular - Vicki Photos
Jasmine Holligan fell in love with the breed in 2018 when she purchased her first standardbred from the Mundijong Markets, a big 17hh gelding by the name of Sheckler.
“He is my absolute heart horse; he is the reason why I love the breed so much to this day.
“I sadly lost him in 2020 after hock surgery, but I’ve had standardbreds ever since and Max has filled a giant hole in my heart.
“They are such an underrated breed, but they truly can achieve anything you want them to, and I love proving people wrong.”
Image: Hold Em Up - Jackie Searies Photography