The Western Dream Much Has Been Written, Sung and Said About the Special Bond Between the Cowboy (And Cowgirl) and Their Cow Horse

PROFILE

Work Hard, Play Hard The Western Dream Much has been written, sung and said about the special bond between the cowboy (and cowgirl) and their cow horse. But, what inspires Australians to become part of the western riding scene? Jacqueline McArthur asks a corporate giant why he swaps the boardroom for a stock horse.

B Y JACQUELINE M C A RTHUR // PHOTOGRA PHY B Y M IKE KENYON & EAMON GA LLA GHER

It is the athleticism and the heart – their ticker - and what they are willing to do for you. But their core capacity is cow sense.

www.equestrianlife.com.au 47 T’S A STORY about extraordinary equine pressure of a rein against the horse's neck. Horses were also trained to exer- athletes, dynastic obsessions, cultural ex- cise independence in using their natural instincts to follow the movements change, tough - very tough - competitors, of a cow. and hybrid vigour at its most vigorous. And, As one famous US horse breeder decreed: “We’re selecting for the eye that’s just the start of a tale that is being written of an eagle and the step of a deer.” !e cowboy’s favorite was the Quarter toI this day in the competition rings of Australia’s Horse, and they called them all “Steeldusts,” after the great stallion, a racing Western riding disciplines. legend throughout the wild west. So, how did it all begin in a country, the size of a !ese heavily muscled, compact horses could run a short distance faster continent, already schooled in English riding culture than any other horse. !e fastest were called Celebrated American Quarter and developing their own unique horse sports? What Running Horses by English colonists in the 1600s. !e term “Quarter” are the traits of Western riding stars that breeders are refers to the distance, a quarter of a mile, most commonly run in colonial rewarded for? And, what is the future for event organ- racing, often on the main streets of small villages. isers expected to possess the Midas touch for competi- In 1940 a registry was formed to preserve the breed which officially tors with a penchant for rolled gold prizes, as well as became the American Quarter Horse. handling the compliance issues facing most riding dis- Needless to say, early explorers of Australia’s harsh landscape - stock- ciplines? men, settlers, bushrangers and troopers - needed a hardy horse, too. Equestrian Life asked Sidney Myer, not only a !e Australian Stock Horse, just like the Appaloosa (Native Amercians member of the famous Melbourne retail dynasty, but in the US North west carefully selected prime traits) became war-horses also a seasoned non-professional Cutting competitor, of legendary ability. Warfare and hard yakka turned to sport in peaceful for an introduction to Australia’s unique take on West- times and unique horse sports were developed in Australia in the form of ern riding culture. Polocrosse and Campdrafting. “What’s the attraction? It is all about the horses. In A broad church, ‘Western riding’ now includes these two high action our sports they are often extraordinary athletes – this sports. definitely piques the interest of anyone who loves horses,” Sid says. Breeds for All Seasons “!ere is a spirit in Western riding culture which Genetic good luck is a deep desire for breeders of any animal, even when people identify with, a lifestyle. !e spirit is relaxed, they’re adept at selecting for excellence. Quarter Horse breeders are no dif- it attracts people who identify with the country and ferent. Sid has been breeding them for many years. country values like hard work, the natural kinship of “As breeders, there is enormous satisfaction in being able to breed supe- neighbours and willingness to lend a hand, furious rior athletes,” Sid says. competitiveness and a convivial environment,” he says. “!en you live in hope – every time you see a foal drop.” “Western riding is essentially about having some- “Versatility is part of the science of the Quarter Horse breed and tem- thing to do. On farms and ranches, riding was part of perament is also very important; it’s due to the Quarter Horses’ good na- It is a delight to your job - not going around in a circle at a gymkhana – ture that I’m not in as many pieces as I could have been. (!at doesn’t mean there was a cow to chase, a water trough to check and a that there aren’t rogues.)," he says. see an intuitive horse calf to rope and this adds a different dimension." “It is the athleticism and the heart – their ticker - and what they are able to read a cow. Sons of ‘Steeldust’ meet the ‘Breed for Every Need’ willing to do for you. But their core capacity is cow sense." American cowboys worked long hours in the saddle “It is a delight to see an intuitive horse able to read a cow. It is extraordi- across rough terrain, roping cattle, chasing off predators nary to see what they are capable of without the rider directing the horse,” and negotiating terms with rattlesnakes and Indians. Sid says. In order to control the horse with one hand and use !e progeny, competitors, breeders and events in the US and Australia the lasso with the other, western horses were trained have all aligned over 150 years to bring us the modern cow horse, versatile to neck rein, that is, to change direction with the light and tough. !

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Two sports – Cutting and Rodeo – are displaying a propensity for the innovation required to grow support for large events. !e Gold Coast National Finals Ro-

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international country music acts for after-party enter- Liberty Black tainment. !e four-day event, to be run in June 2013, Fun and will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Broad- beach Country Music Festival. !e Australian Profes- www.gidgee-eyes.com freedom is what sional Rodeo Association hopes to create a 'Country these sports Week'. Transport magnate, Douglas Kefford, stepped in to underwrite the finals and believes the events may promote. attract a retinue of rodeo and country music superstars to Australia. TARCUTTA Meanwhile, Australian Cutting champions, breeders, trainers and event organisers are making a name Halfway MotorInn for themselves in a global industry worth tens of mil- lions of dollars. !e richest equestrian event outside ! Among the toughest are those skilled at Cutting, among the cleverest mainstream racing, the National Cutting Horse As- The Tarcutta Halfway Motor Inn has full stable facilities, which can accommodate any type of animal in stables or yards. are those skilled at reining. sociation’s Futurity, is held in Tamworth each June. With prize payouts of more than half a million dollars HALFWAY BETWEEN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE Cutting takes a very special horse. In these events, horse and rider enter ONLY 1.5KM OFF FREEWAY AT BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH EXITS. and individual sales of close to $100,000, owners and a group of cattle and single one out. !e horse moves the steer away from * All large animals welcome * Large, comfortable and the other cattle and then prevents it from moving back to the herd for a breeders invest serious money into raising, training and clean accommodation * O!ers 24 enclosed indoor with all mod cons preset period of time. Since the steer is determined to join the herd, the preparing young horses for the event. Despite the gal- stables, 11 outdoor yards, horse will have to consistently face the steer and anticipate which way it loping pursuit of big money and the razzle-dazzle of animal bedding and plenty * Break up your trip and enjoy of float and truck parking a good night’s rest will go, moving to block escape. some big ticket Western riding events, the sports re- In reining classes, horse and rider perform a pattern of movements, in- main welcoming for newcomers. (02) 6928 7294 volving circles, spins, slides and turns. Horses and riders are judged on the “Equestrian pursuits don’t lend themselves to big www.tarcuttamotel.com.au obedience of the horse to the rider’s aids and on accuracy. !e 'Western heads – you are only as good as your next competition, Dressage' is always a crowd pleaser; each horse's performance is accompa- your next ride or horse because there is always potential nied by noisy encouragement from the audience. for a humbling experience,” Sid says. “!at said, there is a lot of fun to be had. I believe The Future of Futurities people are becoming more focused on how they spend Sid believes Western riding’s future is bright across the board. Strong ad- their leisure time – they want to be in the country, out- ministration and growing popularity underpin his prediction. doors and they want to enjoy themselves. Fun and free- “!ere are challenges – the costs to participate and organise events are dom is what these sports promote. And, it is still all prohibitive. We need access to good trainers and there is a major challenge about extraordinary horses,” he says. putting on big events in the current regulatory environment,” he says.

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