Snowy River Horseman Shows his Skills to City Folk

Ever wonder what it's like to live on the open range? Well one Australian cowboy is giving people that opportunity. NTD's Robert Apicella gives us a taste of country life. Let's saddle up and take a look!
STORY:
Wouldnt it be great to see Australias high country horsemen in action? Thanks to Rene Gasser, it's now as simple as visiting Melbournes Burnley Oval.

Here behind the plain white tent walls, audiences are enjoying very colorful performances. Inspired by his love of horses, Rene has been travelling and entertaining crowds for many years.

[Rene Sonny Gasser, Show Horseman/Trainer]:
We have been working with horses all our lives. I come from 6 generations of horse people.

[Rene Sonny Gasser, Show Horseman/Trainer]:
I grew up with horses. I got my first horse when I was probably 2 or 3 years old from my grandmother, and just went from there.

Over the years Renes passion has drawn together other very competent men and women, who share his passion for horses. They bring with them their own enthusiasm and skills, some of which are inspired by the Ukraine and Russian Cossack traditions which makes for a spectacular performance.

[Monica Duncan, Trick Rider]:
We do trick riding on the horses which means any which way, but in the saddle hanging upside down, swinging around, we have the other Cossack is Jamal. And he does vaulting and swinging around three sixty degrees on the horse on the ground, and on the horse and off the horse, and everywhere.

The difficulty in this area of horse riding is reflected in the time it takes to hone their skills.

[Monica Duncan, Trick Rider]:
I have been doing the trick riding for 14 years and Im still learning.

But for some of the trick riders, riding one horse simply isnt enough.

[Michael Harrison, Trick Rider]:
Yeah I guess the most spectacular show act I do is I ride two horses at the same time, this guy is one my left is and his older partner is on my right had side standing one foot on each. And weve also got four Arabs when these guys open up nice and wide Arabs one at a time run between my legs so thats pretty spectacular yes.

Trick riding involves highly skilled horsemen from different parts of the world, who draw from their many years of experience.

[Jamal Charapov, Trick Rider]:
I have been doing this job for over 30 years now. I have been working with Moscow circus for 25 years. So in 1995 Ive been here on the tour with the Moscow Circus then I decided to stay here in Australia, do the show for Australia and teach Australian young boys and girls.

Audiences were captivated by the beauty of the performances.

[Mietta, Horse Lover]:
I liked it where the horse wasit was like a blue stage and then the horse came and it was all really pretty and stuff.

After many years on the road, the horsemans own wife sums up their touring experience.

[Barbara Radzik, Renes Wife]:
We have been travelling with this particular show since the year 2000 and it has been an amazing journey.

NTD, Melbourne, Australia.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• river horseman
• australia
• burney oval
• melbourne

[rachg01]

Yes, I'm sure this is an accurate depiction of "country life" :|

[crispypea2100]

lolz at 1:10

[LRSorensen1]

Horses are so smart :)

[reecen96]

lol wat a bad show :S

[horse99lover]

i know all these wonderful riders and horses.........i am so lucky because they are all so nice and welcoming

[anneliese69]

i just posted a video respones its wat i filmed from the show when i went to c it