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The Scoop on Bruce O’Dell

As seen in the October 2018 edition of Horse Deals Magazine

Bruce during the Way of the Horse competition at Equitana 2014 - Photo: Stephen Mowbray.

Bruce during the Way of the Horse competition at Equitana 2014 - Photo: Stephen Mowbray.

Age: 50.

Lives: Maldon, Central Victoria.

Occupation: Master Farrier by trade, Equine Education Breaking and Training.

Family history with horses? Grew up on places around Western Queensland.

What age did you start riding? Three.

Tell us about your first pony. The first pony I remember having was a little mare named The Goat. She was a typical kids pony. Safe but had her quirks, and threw me off many a time. I grew up watching horses get started from the outside of the round yard. It was just another job.”

How did you get into breaking horses? Having been around horses, droving teams, contract mustering teams, it was just part of life that a new team were broken in every year. We bred horses, so each year the three year olds were broken in as part of the yearly plan.

Congratulations on being asked to compete again in the Way of the Horse feature at Equitana 2018, how are you feeling leading into the event? I am looking forward to going back in to work along side such a high calibre of horseman. Each man deserves to be there, and it will be good to catch up with them all.

Photo: Stephen Mowbray.

Photo: Stephen Mowbray.

What are some of the highlights of your riding career? I was fortunate early in my career to have met a gentleman by the name of Ray McGhee. He had done a lot of time with John Lyons in the States. Ray inspired me to become a better horseman through better communication and gentler methods. He showed me a lot and changed my perception on starting young horses.

Who has had the biggest influence on your riding career? Ray changed my perception of starting young horses, but my greatest influence when it comes to riding and educating horses, is Ian Francis. Ian is a genius with a horse. I still get to Ian when I can and will never stop learning from him. I wish like a computer I could download his life time of knowledge into my brain!

How many horses do you have in work? With the assistance from staff, I usually have 25 in work all year round.

Do you have a favourite that you are currently competing? I have 2 actually. A Metallic Cat colt named Trucalss Pizzaz, and an Open aged gelding named Willpower – he has a heart as big as Australia.

Share a typical day in your life. 5.30am - rise, let the dogs out, coffee. 6.30am - start by feeding Olympus Feeds Savvy Pellets or Epower to the team, run my eyes over all of the horses, catch one to be started in the round yard, kiss my boys good bye for school. 8am - pretty much ride, put horses on and off the walker, hose down and start horses until 3.30pm. Exercise my camp horses, either down the road, in the arena or on cattle or the mechanical until 5.30pm – go up and spend some time with my family, help the boys with homework.

What is your favourite training exercise? An Ian Francis learnt pattern called the Flower Pattern. It consists of straight lines and balanced turns.

What are two qualities that you look for in a horse? Desire to learn, and athleticism.

Mares or geldings? Either, one with plenty of try.

Horses provide plenty of highs and lows, how do you manage the lows? Don’t dwell on the negative, there is a positive in everything.

What is the best part about a career with horses? The opportunity to work with an array of different mind sets each day. Each individual horse is different, so each day is a different day.

What would your career choice be if you weren’t working with horses? I have never considered ever being away from horses, however Keith Urban plays a pretty cool guitar and can sing, I bet he is not feeding up in the cold at 6am.

What is the first thing you have to pack to take away to a competition? Saddle.

What do you like to do outside of horses? Kick around with my two boys.

What are your long term goals?
I would like to one day win Willinga Park Campdraft.

3 things we don’t know about Bruce O’Dell?
1. I love roast beef and Vegemite sandwiches.
2. I struggled greatly at school with dyslexia.
3. I have a Macaw Parrot, and love birds.


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