From the Saddle

Moving to Taroom in 1955 with 26 horses to a bare 22,000 acre block, Grace and her husband set roots down.

Grace is the Patron of Pony Club Queensland, a title that she earned throughout 51 years of being a proud member and carrying out important roles along the way.

Joining Taroom Pony Club in 1961, Grace proudly talks about her years in Pony Club Queensland and what it looked like back then compared to now. The growth, the changes and the challenges. We talk everything from protocols, expectations and children on unsafe horses.

"A truck is only as good as the horses coming off it."

Chasing a football and rodeo titles, John didn't find campdrafting exciting back in his younger days.

John takes us back to the foundation of "Stratton Stock Horses."

"Yebna Buster" being the stallion that the string of Stratton Stock Horses all bleed back to.

We talk about all things campdrafting and what it was like to Campdraft with a young family 30-40 years ago compared to today. From finding a cool spot under the truck for the kids to camp, to the social dynamic and structure.

Humbly proud, John is 1 of the most respected men in the industry as both competitor and judge.

"Not many 21 year olds were living in a swag moving from station to station with their Grandpa."

After losing an international Rodeo Scholarship at the age of 16 to an injury, Scott soon found himself on the path to become "SK Horsemanship".

"Quite often it's only the guy holding the trophy on the day that gets full recognition. I've never seen a horse win the Melbourne Cup yet and someone go "I want to know who broke him in". But I tell you what if it pulls back on the truck and kicks some farrier, someone will go "who broke him in?"

After returning from the USA titled "Champion Bronc Rider" and soon to be a father at the age of 28, Scott purchased land here in Australia breaking in 180 horses that year.

Breaking and pre training horses for the rodeo industry, campdrafting, polo, race horses and everything in between. Scott is globally recognised as a self made and respected Horse Trainer through nothing more than organic advertising.

Born into the love of Horses, Amelia Servin (Tonkin) is a well known name in the Cutting Industry throughout Australia and America

Juggling the life of a Mum, training and breeding horses, Amelia shares with us her success, failures and the journey she's been lucky enough to have since coming into the cutting industry at the age of 18.

Humbly proud of her achievements, Amelia recognises it wouldn't have been all possible without the help and support of the strong family ties and the friendships she's developed along the way.

69 Rough Stock Awards and 17 Australian Rodeo Titles over 40 years.

McPhee Bucking Horses and Bulls are known world wide. Names like Jane, Isa Queen and the famous bull CHAINSAW ring true to many across the nation. Garry steps us through where it all began and how he transitioned from a full time Rough Stock Rider to juggling the 2 while still claiming titles as he paved his way to the history books.

Hanging his hat in Australia in 1965 at the age of 17, Garry claimed his first Australian Rodeo title 6 short years later.

Known as the alpha male throughout the circuit, Garry McPhee was the man you wanted on your side back in the day. We hear all about the dynamics and structure of the "Cowboy way" as he made a living from rodeo to rodeo and lived for chasing the thrill of the next 8 seconds throughout his youth.

As the current President of the fastest growing campdrafting affiliation in Australia (ACA), Hugh is often in the firing line for decisions that the affiliation are made to make to protect it's roots, history and growth. We get a great insight to the workings of the Australian Campdrafting Association, the processes and how Hugh landed the position.

No stranger to horse back, Hugh was introduced to the sport from a very young age by his Father who has been a member of the affiliation for 50 years. Hugh shares his journey in the same affiliation along side his wife and 4 children.

"90% of what I know in the thoroughbred world has been the result of someone good enough to teach me."

Kellie is no stranger to the equine world but thoroughbreds were a different game from what she knew. Kellie takes us back to the sacrifices and commitment it has taken to now be one of the most reputable thoroughbred breeders and trainers within the industry under the name of "Kenmore Lodge".

Shane Iker is one of the biggest names in Australian rodeo, and also one of the most enduring. He's been at home in the saddle since he was five years old competing in the local pony club. In this conversation with Kay Becker, he lifts the lid on breeding the best bucking bulls and toughest horses and his struggle with animal rights activists.

Born in the Adelaide Hills and now calling the East Kimberleys Home, Nav takes us on a journey and gives us a taste of what it's like to lead a life as the "Australian Cowboy" and a founding member of Ringers Western.

Leaving school at the age of 13 after struggling to find his groove in the education system and battling with dyslexia, Nav is now a reservist in the Australian ARMY. With over 40k followers on instagram he has a strong voice for life survival skills by discovering and showing the rest of the nation and world some of the true beauty of Outback Australia through bull catching, fishing and exploring.

We hear all about the start up of Ringers Western and a bit about their journey today!

Johns father use to say "Johnny would run a mile to catch a horse to ride a hundred yards." At 79 years of age John tells his story of introducing his family to the love of horses and shares some of the memories as a judge, competitor and dedicated committee member of the Duaringa, QLD Campdraft Committee for 23 years. Taking part in an RM Williams course back in the 80's, John talks about the work and materials that now make his whips famous for what they are and where it all started. Listen to some of the greatest history humbly shared by John and get a glimpse of where it all began.