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[RC] Australian Stock Horse in CO - Dawn Simas
Hello everyone, I've always been interested in the Australian Stock Horse (see Man From Snowy River) since a friend/cowboy from Aust. told me about them in the 80's. There are only 3 in the U.S. They are hardy, intelligent, agile, cowy, big, with incredible endurance. There's a cowboy with a stallion that he imported that works cows and packs/hunts off him, he lives in Meeker, Colorado as a rancher/outfitter. I spoke with him last night and he's interested in bringing this stallion to do Tevis next year. He needs to get in his 150 miles of qualifying rides. He is a complete newbie to the endurance sport, but I feel he and his horse can do it in talking with him. He's even competed in the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival in Australia and received an award, even while competing with a broken collarbone--in true Aussie style. This festival salutes the man that inspired the poem that led to the movie. They go on a 5 day trail ride following his footsteps from over a century ago, and it's not f or sissies. See http://www.manfromsnowyriverbushfestival.com.au/Riley's%20Ride.htm This ends at a 3 day competition in town, including bareback jumping, shoeing your own horse, brumby cutting, whip cracking, etc. Anyhow, this cowboy's name is Kip Gates, he runs River's Bend Outfitters in Meeker, CO (northwestern CO). Anyone in that area that could mentor him and maybe accompany him to the area's spring rides? You can reach him at kipelk at colorado dot net. Thank you, Dawn
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