SNOWY Brumbies are currently the subject of much controversy regarded as a pest and threat to native ecosystems by environmentalists and the government, but also valued by many as part of 's national heritage, with supporters working to prevent inhumane treatment or extermination, and rehoming Brumbies who have been captured. Chris meets Justin Macintosh owner of Snowy Wilderness retreat who has created a safe haven for a mob of Snowy Mountain Brumbies. Chris then catches up with local photographers Paul McIver and Judy Goggin to seek out and photograph Brumby mobs in the wilds of the Mt. Kosciusko National Park.

ABOUT SNOWY WILDERNESS RETREAT Guests are invited to experience the holiday of a lifetime and enjoy the wilderness of the region adjacent the Snowy River on horseback or just relax in the luxurious High Country Lodges, beautiful Homestead, or secluded Cottage. Experience one of the best riding holidays Australia has to offer.

This pristine resort is set on 7,500 acres of wilderness high country and adjoins Kosciusko National Park. If you’re after a great horse riding adventure through the Snowy Mountains complete with breathtaking views, the guided horse treks will be an adventure you’ll never forget. In the tradition of The Man from Snowy River, Snowy Wilderness is a stunning high country resort, and a Sanctuary for Australia’s , the Brumby.

Snowy Wilderness offer first class , the best terrain, with stunning scenery & views straight out of the Man from Snowy River movie. Enjoy riding with wild Brumbies, the Reedy Creek beach ride, the Grand Canyon, Gully Lake, Mt Carlisle, Bella Vista, Bruv's camps, Main Range views of Mt Kosciusko, Mt Perisher, and the Rams Head. This is the real high country.

The retreat offers guests partial and full day riding experiences and also offer multi day horse treks with overnight camping.

The wilderness campsites have all the creature comforts and amenities. Mouth watering slow cooked food is served and high country yarns told around the campfire finish off the perfect horse riding/trekking holiday.

Check their website at the link below for schedules and available dates. Please note that the retreat has a maximum weight limit of 100kg for participating riders.

BRUMBY PHOTOGRAPHERS JUDY GOGGIN AND PAUL MCIVER

Born and raised in Cooma, Judy is definitely a local girl with the beauty of the Monaro and the high country deeply embedded in her bones. As a devoted animal lover, after leaving school Judy worked in a Veterinary Practice for 7 years and then moved into a Radiology Practice and now for the past 18 years at a general medical practice. Judy's love for horses after all this time has never left diminished, and after meeting Paul through a photography class at TAFE where he was the digital photography teacher, her love for photography and for Paul took both of them into the mountains to look for brumbies.

Paul on the other hand grew up in country and grew up to pursue a career in motion pictures and media and bought a property on the edge of the Monaro 40 years ago. After a long stint in South East and the US he returned to Australia and was given mostly rural stories to cover.

He was captivated by campfire tales of brumby encounters by old school horse whisperers and felt the need to have and photograph those experiences.

For the last 10 years both Judy and Paul have moved from casual encounters with Brumbies to a far more intimate photographic experience with these amazing animals. They spend as much time as they can camping amongst Brumbies in their environment and observing and documenting their behaviour. It has been the burr under both their to bring their way of life to as many people as possible. Over this period they have been involved with many of the wonderful people who have sought to preserve the heritage of the Snowy Brumby.

WEBLINKS

www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au https://snowywilderness.com.au