Walkers Down Under - Part Two
By Lonnie Kuehn
I am writing to let people know of my continuing saga of my “Most Excellent Adventure”, which is still quite exciting and dream fulfilling to me in many ways. I went back to Australia from November 6th-30, 2001, where I was to assist Walter and Vicki Pisciotta with their continuing education of riding and working their Tennessee walkers. Boy was I surprised when I got there…. Everything had changed since my last visit, they had MOVED!
Walter and Vicki now live on a breath taking, very picturesque 100 acre farm. Loaded with rolling hills, huge eucalyptus gum trees, a nice lake, and the coolest house I have ever seen. They have been very busy building turn out lots with run-in sheds, stallion yards, leveling the land for their new indoor riding/breeding facility fully equipped with lab, apartment, B & B suites for out-of-towners, plus lots of stalls, tack areas, wash racks, and a separate stallion wing. They call their new farm Emerald Valley Farm, which is located in Emerald, Victoria, which is about an hour drive from Melbourne.
As Vicki showed me around the new farm she told me they were expecting in April of 2002, I said, “Great news, since I knew that the three mares that we had shipped in November 2000 had foaled. Vicki said, “No, I am going to foal, I mean have a baby in April.” This was exciting, as now we will have another walking horse jockey in the making.
The Pisciotta’s had me working night and day, I was slaving away working and doing what I love… it’s a tough job BUT… someone has to do it! They have so many ideas for the walking horses in Australia. There is such a need for our beloved breed downunder. As they are desired here in the states so will they be in demand there, soon as the word gets out…. Ride one today, own one tomorrow!
We all know the story about that.
They have 3 stallions and 8 mares, they had 3 foals in 2001 sired by the following stallions: JFK, Pusher’s Bustin’ Loose, and Gold Power. They are planning on starting a part-breed registry in Australia for walkers while growing their purebred herd to numbers that will allow them to sell walking horses to the many horse enthusiasts in Australia who could benefit from the smooth ride and excellent temperament of the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Because there is only 14 Tennessee Walking horses in the entire country, it will take awhile to expand their herd, but with their mares getting in foal and having colts every year it will not take long to get the numbers up. The last time I spoke with the Pisciotta’s they had 3 mares in foal, and another new colt on the ground. How exciting it is to be on the verge of a new beginning, a new era in the promotion and on going love affair that we have with the Tennessee Walking Horse.
During my stay at Emerald Valley Farm I enjoyed seeing kangaroos, cocktails, wombats and wallabies hanging out with the mares and colts in the pastures. The walkers have all gotten used to the strange and different wildlife that are natural to Australia.
I did some riding up in the high country, on the out skirts of Merrijig, which is the base of the Snowy River Mountain range. I rode a nice appaloosa, that belong to Nick Kyritsis, who runs Mount View Safaris, their motto “Experience the Best with the Best!” I had the greatest time riding with my new mates. They’re are no words that I can say that explain the feeling I get when I ride up there.
The day I arrived one of Australia’s national treasures died, the famous Jack Lovick, the man whom the movie, “The Man from Snowy River” was based on. It was a sad day in the Bushman’s life. They held a modest funeral for him in Merrijig where people got up and said their piece. I had the opportunity to meet Jack on my first trip over, he was really excited about the walking horse, and couldn’t wait to breed his ambling mare to one the stallions that were on the way.
Jack will be sorely missed. Will always remember our day together listening to your stories of the bush.
I want to thank Walter, Vicki, and Thomas for allowing me to join their family and be apart of this new and excellent adventure. You are both very dear to my heart and I’m looking forward to round 3. The Pisciotta’s are what I call an “ASSET” to the breed. They are breeding and promoting the Smooth, Sensible, and Safe horse.
