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Welcome to Snowy Country
This particular snowy country is home to Richard Crispin, Lorna Stevens and their son, Jack. Plus dogs, horses, cattle, goats, not to mention the kangaroos, eagles, platypuses and wombats that inhabit this part of the world.
We farm 1100 acres on the edge of the Snowy River at Bungarby, - known as “Jillico” - between Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala. Here, we are surrounded by the Monaro, and National Park. We farm a further 800 acres at Ingebyra - known as “Little Shamrock” - 20 minutes from Jindabyne along the Barry Way that leads to Victoria. This land backs directly onto Kosiusko National Park and is surrounded by stunning High Country.
The local and surrounding areas are superb for bush walking, horse riding, fishing, 4-wheel driving, climbing, biking, water sports, and – of course – skiing. Nearby Berridale hosts the cold climate winery. Canberra is just two hours’ drive away and the south coast is just a little further.
Our neighbouring farms generally focus on sheep, having cattle as a secondary source of income. Some local properties also run goats to help control weed infestations, but sheep have been the staple of the Monaro for many generations, and it is from here that the famous and hardy Monaro Merino hails. Like most agriculturally-based communities, many of the local farms have now diversified: some offer farm-stay facilities, horse riding camps, or run some other small business from home. Today, many families have a secondary source of farm income. Richard has been known to fly aircraft, Lorna is re-training to be a teacher and both are keen motorcyclists. We run a growing herd of Murray Grey cattle and have a small horse establishment dedicated to breeding, training and promoting Waler horses.
WWOOFing with us Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a form of cultural exchange in which WWOOFers live and work as family with host farms, and learn about:
WWOOF Australia and their hosts make travelling in Australia easy, safe and more fun for both Australian and Overseas Visitors. Richard and Lorna are registered Wooffer hosts (No. NA077) Visit http://www.wwoof.com.au/ for more details, or contact us directly: Interested wwoofers must be able to drive and enjoy working with horses – work includes general farm work, cattle work breaking in/bringing on horses. Projects too many to mention! We can presently accommodate a maximum of two people at the property in Bungarby and are happy to cater for vegetarians/vegans.
Snowy Walers Background: In 2002, we were reading the weekend supplement and were enchanted by the article “Hero horses make a comeback.” We enthusiastically delved into Richard’s ‘Australia at war’ books and produces Waler reference after Waler reference: stories of heroism, stamina, tenacity and of the great friendships established between Waler horses and their riders. Snowy Walers We were engrossed, and began to search further… soon we had the beginnings of a modest Waler breeding and training stud… Two stud-bred Waler foals arrived in 2002 – Andi and Ricky – both now rising five. Andi had her maiden foal (sired by Billjim – Peter Fischer’s stunning Waler/Percheron stallion) in October 2005. Ricky has gone from strength to strength, having excelled in local showing classes in her first season.
Three more horses followed shortly afterwards from Clayton Station: Chevvy, Laurelie and her foal, Denni. These three were genuine station horses and had not been handled at all. Chevvy and Denni are both going well in their basic training and will make great pony club/pleasure mounts. Laurelie will stay as a broodmare and is currently in foal to our new stallion, Ryrie.
A second permanent broodmare arrived in 2003, in the form of Chloe – a foundation Waler – she produced the most beautiful taffy filly foal known as Berri, in October 2004 by another foundation stallion, Baralbee Australis (Cobba)
Ryrie was the last one in. He is a stunning grey 16HH+ Newhaven stallion, around seven years of age, with the most gentle of natures and a stature that will produce athletic, noble, brave and mellow progeny.
History of the Waler Much has been written about the background of the Waler – we suggest you refer to www.walerhorses.com or www.rbta.org for an accurate and well researched portrayal of this noble horse at war and at rest. The Waler Today A Waler is an Australian bred horse, whose bloodlines originate from stock bred in Australia before the end of the Second World War. After the war, large-scale horse breeding worldwide became obsolete due to motorisation. Many remount breeders shot their surplus horses. Some stations retained their herds for stock horses, maintaining their herds in the semi-wild conditions that they were originally bred under. On some stations, selective culling, additions of quality sires, gelding, branding etc. are an annual occurrence. Other stations allowed their horses to become wild and these herds still exist in the areas where they were at one time bread. These horses are the direct descendants of those that became famous as Walers. They have bred within a close genetic pool, since the cessation of remount breeding and are well on their way to becoming an established breed. In 1986 the Waler Horse Society of Australia (WHSA) was formed. A breed standard and Stud Book was established to govern and record the breeding of these horses. From this time the Waler has been an official breed. In 2005, the Waler Horse Owners and Breeders Association Australia (WHOBAA) formed to provide Waler enthusiasts with an alternative community through which to promote the breed. A Waler must be a serviceable horse – it is not selected for beauty; it is always a functional horse. It must have good conformation and a sensible temperament. It is now classified into four types: Light – Officer’s Mount/Blood Horse Medium – Trooper’s Mount/Warmblood type Heavy – Artillery/Draught type/Harness Pony – Under 14.2hh – Athletic games horsesLinks Waler Horse Owners and Breeders Association Australia: Rare Breeds Trust of Australia: Contact Lorna Stevens Walers for Sale
Snowy River Murray Greys Welcome to Snowy Greys… Murray Greys produce Australia’s best beef, and have been developed by commercial cattle producers for the economical production of quality beef. The breed is known for the following traits:
The basis of our stud bloodlines comes from three well-established herds:
It is these three strong lines that form the Snowy River Murray Greys. We breed our own replacement bulls. Our bulls are Genestar tested, approaching maturity, to check for marbling potential. Heifers are bred and kept with replacement stud cows coming from the three sources outlined above.
The History of Murray Grey Cattle Murray Greys originated in the upper Murray Valley on the NSW/VIC border. From humble beginnings, the breed has become a major force in the domestic and international beef industry, spreading throughout Australia to NZ, Asia, North America and Europe. The first grey calves were born at the Sutherland family’s Thologolong property in the early years of the 20th century. They were not always as popular as they are today. The first Greys were bred by chance and were an embarrassment when they appeared in a herd of black Angus cattle in the upper Murray Valley in 1905! However, it became apparent that these odd cattle grew quickly, were superior converters of feed and possessed carcass merit. Local cattlemen were attracted by the Grey’s size and appearance and began to formerly develop the breed. By the early 1960s breeders had got together to form the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society, to register cattle and administer the breed. HQ is now in Armidale, NSW. Varying in colour from dark grey to silver, Greys are natural polls and are noted for their docile temperament. They have proven to be adaptable to most climatic conditions. Furthermore, Greys cross extremely well with Bos Indicus, British or European breeds. As befits a modern breed, Greys are equally at home in the paddock, on grass or in feedlots. They are able to satisfy a variety of markets – both domestic and export. They carry the genetics to produce marbled beef without excess subcutaneous or inter-muscular seam fat (vital for the Japanese and Asian markets). Butchers prefer Grey beef, as its quality is consistent and its tenderness can always be relied upon; providing the right-sizes serves for today’s family home meal and the restaurant trade. Greys dominate taste test competitions and their success in carcass competitions is legendary. The breed has what it takes to compete worldwide off grass or in feedlots. The best for:
Links Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society Limited Contact Richard Crispin | Top of Page | Jillico Station | Contact Jillico | This site Copyright © 2005 Lorna Stevens & Richard Crispin Site Designed & Built by iVent Services |
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