The Path to Glory

‘Riding the Olympic Rings’ by Zoe Lackey

The Australian Stock Horse Journal – November/December 2000

“We’re all off to the stadium now,

We’re all gonna show them how…”

The Rider’s Anthem, led by the vocal Stewart Booth and created by a talented team of individuals could be heard echoing around P4 carpark and through the tunnels of Stadium Australia. It reflected the confidence and focus of the group from “the bush and scrub” united for the sole purpose of the Sydney Olympic Games.

They had come a long way from since the first Boot Camp held at Scone from 10^th – 12^th March when Sergeant Don Eyb (later dubbed “the Don”) and Tony Jablonski were confronted by a motley mob full of curiosity and a touch of trepidation. Darrel Clifford made his mark as Camp Boss, directing parking, issuing panels and keeping the strays in line. Fiona Wallis and her many helpers answered questions, filled out forms and dished out meal tickets.

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Directing a Moment in History: Senior Sergeant Don Eyb, Commander NSW Mounted Police Unit

‘The Australian Stock Horse Journal’ – September/October 2000

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/sydney-olympic-games-opening-ceremony-2000/

See also: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/australia-on-horseback-at-sydney-olympic-games-2000/

Featured Image:

Author’s Note: I live in Scone, have enjoyed a longstanding association with the Australian Stock Horse Society since inception (1971) and yet I knew nothing of this totemic event which rightfully captured and transfixed global attention at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 2000! I was aware that ASHS General Manager and Scone Shire Council Councillor Brian Brown had zealously pursued the rights with SOCOG 2000 for Australian Horses be included in the great celebration. Everyone was. Brian was his own best self-promotor. He succeeded beyond his and our wildest dreams! His successor Steve Guihot was his antithesis. Steve could keep a secret! I never knew the ASHS riders were training in Scone; although I knew several of them?

At about the same time (1997) I’d assumed my modest role as Councillor (Veterinary & Horse Committees) with the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. We run the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show. Senior Sergeant Don Eyb was Commander of the NSW Mounted Police Unit. It was his annual obligation to produce the NSW Mounted Police Musical Ride at each SRES. It’s one of the perpetually popular major ring events every year. I think it’s also the very best public relations exercise the NSW Police Force has! I only learned later of Don’s exceptional triumph at Olympic Park; and not from him! He was yet another inconspicuous champion in the ‘Modesty Stakes’! It’s my view Senior Sergeant Don Eyb was the ‘clandestine’ hero of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Directing a Moment in History

Just imagine being asked to choreograph and direct 120 horse and riders who are to perform the official welcome in the opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. An event staged before 110,000 people (‘I was there’), with another three and a half billion watching around the world. It was a moment in history.

Commander of the NSW Mounted Police Unit Senior Sergeant Don Eyb was handed the job in January (2000), when he was asked by SOCOG, and Horsemaster Tony Jablonsky, to train and co-ordinate the first segment of the Opening Ceremony.

Senior Sergeant Don Eyb was asked because he was the only person in NSW known to have experience in training large numbers of horses. According to Senior Sergeant Don Eyb, it was the most nerve-racking experience of his life!

Opening ceremony organisers Ric Birch and Ignatius Jones had a basic concept, with the riders bringing in the Olympic Flag, staying for the National Anthem and then taking out the Australian Flag – as well as performing the Olympic Rings. The rest was up to Senior Sergeant Don Eyb.

“I had to devise a practical routine which all the horses could manage,” Sergeant Don Eyb said.

“The first object was to get the volunteer riders to work as a team. Most of them didn’t know each other. Both men and women had come from all walks of life.”

Training for the riders began with learning a mounted troop drill. The group was then introduced to the element of music and the flags.

“Each time we rehearsed there were slight improvements. Horses are creatures of habit and love repetition, so they naturally got better.”

Throughout the performance, Sergeant Eyb was constantly talking to the riders via radio microphones to earpieces hidden beneath the riders’ hats, to help them control their nerves and focus on the job.

“It was a tremendous effort by the riders and support staff, to travel such distances and to put in the necessary time. I was so proud and relieved when it was over. It’s the biggest thig I’ll ever have to do,” Sergeant Eyb said.

“When we started, most of the riders didn’t know each other. When it was over, it was like we were one big family. We’ve all realised we were an important part of history, which has bonded us together.”

The act has created a world record – by using 120 horses, the 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony has made the Guinness Book of World Records in the category of the most horse used in a public display. This surpasses a previous display in the United States, when 80 horses were used.

A reunion of the riders has already been planned for September 2001, and again in 2004 to coincide with the Athens Olympics.

Wallabadah Races Canned for Good

Author’s Prelude (WPH):

We could see it coming. Another one ‘bites the dust’. Others will follow. Some will say this is more ‘WOKE’ in action. Others will see it as responsible industry governance with human/animal safety and welfare paramount.

Featured Image: Horses enter the straight during the 2016 running of the Wallabadah Cup.(ABC News: Lisa Herbert)

End of an era: Wallabadah races canned for good

By Jeff Hanson

November 27, 2021

See: End of an era: Wallabadah races canned for good – NSW Country and Picnic Racing

See also: 161 years of bush racing at Wallabadah – ABC News

See also: Australia’s oldest country race meet anticipates great conditions for 164th running of the Wallabadah Cup – ABC News

Fundamental Question: ‘Will Merriwa be next’?

Wallabadah Jockey Club will not race again. Photo: Northern Daily Leader.

The Wallabadah Jockey Club has been part and parcel of the North West racing scene since 1852 and claim to be the oldest country racing track in Australia.

On the eve of their 170^th anniversary meeting that was scheduled for January 1 2022, the club recently announced that they would not be hosting any more meetings, stating that their track did not meet Racing NSW standards.

In an interview with Prime7 News North West, Club representative Tim Mackie said it was the undulating nature of the unique Wallabadah course that led Racing NSW to make the tough decision.

“If anyone has been here, they know what the up-hill, down-hill nature of the track is and due to that, country racing have had to make a decision,” Mackie said.

The country course has a nine-metre decline from its peak to the home straight, and according to the Prime7 News report, the NSW Jockey’s Association told racing NSW that jockeys were ‘reluctant to return’, which prompted an investigation by Racing NSW stewards that led to the track being deemed not suitable for ‘horse and rider’.

Wallabadah races in the early 1930s.

Mackie said it was disappointing to lose so much history, with Wallabadah considered the oldest country racing club in Australia, but he understood that the safety of jockeys and horses was Racing NSW’s main concern.

“This race meeting, in my opinion, has been a flag bearer for the history of horse racing and it’s unfortunate that it has come to this,” Mackie said.

“But we live in the modern world where workplace health and safety is paramount.”

NSW Country and Picnic Racing unsuccessfully reached out to Racing NSW for comment regarding the closure of Wallabadah.

The Wallabadah New Year’s Day meeting has since been moved to Tamworth. Continue reading →