Horse Whisperer show takes your breath away
Published Wednesday 1 July 2015
The World Famous Horse Whisperer, Guy McLean is coming to be the headline act at the Mossman Show on 19th and 20th July. His exploits are world renowned and his performances are amazing. You should make a note in your diary to ensure you dont miss this fantastic opportunity.
Guy McLean was born in, Melbourne in 1975, the youngest of five brothers in an inner city suburb, a million miles from where his skills have taken him today.
He is forever thankful that as a baby his family packed up to start a brand new life in Hervey Bay, Queensland, where they purchased a 1600 acre property and over the next two years developed, The ‘Susan River Homestead’ Holiday Ranch resort.
Guy’s parents wanted a life for their young family away from the city streets, with unlimited opportunities to prosper and grow and it was here on the banks of the lazy Susan River that Guy was sat on his first horse as a 16 month old.
Guy says he cannot recall a day that horses weren’t a part of his life. By the time Guy was 4yrs old he was riding his pretty chestnut mare, Sunny alone on the rides with the guests and often fall asleep on the last mile home but that special little mare would carry him safely all the way back to the yards.
Guy now truly believes that it is the contrasts in our lives that make us search for something different, all of Guys brothers were talented sportsmen and adept with their hands, being very useful with anything mechanical on the farm. Guy, on the other hand, was required to wear glasses from the time he was five until he was fifteen and therefore found ball sports very challenging and as far as he was concerned machines were only good for bringing the horses in so he could ride them.
Guy sees this as a wonderful gift, because on the back of his beloved horses he was faster than his schoolmates, stronger and braver than the meanest bullies and above all else for one time in his life, in the eyes of his beloved horses, he felt like an equal.
Guy is often asked what has caused him to become an equine performer and although you might think that performing came natural to him, it is far from the truth. Right through to his teenage years the only subject that would cause Guy to say anymore than a few sentences was horses and for as long as he can remember, when other kids spoke of being policeman or fireman when they grew up, Guy only ever wanted to be a Horseman.
By the time he decided to leave home and start his own Horse training business, Guy had already met one of his finest teachers and most remarkable students, a Golden Dun colt he named Nugget who he bought for $200 out of a bush paddock an hour from home.
Nugget was the honest and willing pupil for any of Guy’s new idea’s and by the tender age of four, Nugget was so proficient at his work that he didn't perform in a bridle and saddle for the next 12 years, a truly special stallion and until this day, Guy’s best mate.
It is very common that the best trainers around the world in all disciplines are normally training many horses for clients without the luxury of being able to ride their own and those who do, quite often have to sell their best horses to survive.
One of Guys biggest weaknesses or maybe it's his greatest strength is the personal and mutual attachment and bond that he forms with every horse that he spends any length of time with and as he would no sooner sell his best mate than fly to the moon, he had to come up with a plan for his own horses to pay their way. It was then that Guy McLean the performer was reluctantly dragged out of his shell.
Guys performances, the same as his horsemanship methods have all been self taught, right since the very first time he can remember hisfather has always said “As long as you and your ponies are safe, you can do whatever you like,” with a “Keep your Hands down,” or “ Give that pony a rest,” thrown in for good measure.
Guy believes that it was this disciplined but essentially free rein that allowed him to evolve into the Horseman and Entertainer he is today, for although he has always shown an interest in all of the disciplines and performers that he has witnessed, it has ultimately been the countless hours spent in the presence of a horse or in front of a crowd that has moulded him and as his life motto reads “Finding a Better Way.”
Guy and his horse’s have achieved national acclaim in Australia over the past 15 years and his talented horses (especially Nugget) have had their names chanted in front of 20,000 people at Royal shows such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Guy has been acclaimed as a National treasure and Living Legend and although this humble Australian still blushes at such remarks, it is the kind words and stories of inspiration that Guy evokes that keeps him in the frame of mind to succeed and continue to spread his message.
Although the calling of international work has made Guy step away from his beloved homeland (for a while) Australia will always be his home and yet wherever there are wonderful horses and crowds to entertain and educate, Guy says he feels at home.
So it is now that the next stage of the Life of Guy McLean begins as he and four of his own Australian bred ‘Quietway Performance horses’ (of which three are Nuggets babies) have expanded to the international stage. At the moment they are based in Texas USA and will follow their dreams to perform worldwide.
Guy has always been a dreamer and it is true what they say, that, "If you wish hard enough and stick to your guns, dreams can and will come true".
So it is fantastic that The Mossman show has managed to entice Guy McLean, The Horse Whisperer back again, (after a five year absence), to perform at the show between July 19th to 20th. He will be performing three times a day of each day.
This you can't miss!!