Jack Johnston VIP x 2
Featured Image: Jack Johnston holds the reigns while Tiger Batterham and grandson Ben McNaughton hold on! Scone Horse Festival Parade 1996
Jack and Tiger are both local legends! Jack was the inaugural Horse Festival VIP in 1985 and again in 1994; the only person to receive the coveted award twice. Tiger was the VIP for 1996 while Ben McNaughton’s father Bruce is another most accomplished horseman managing Glenrock Station for a number of years.
Jack was a direct descendent of the hegemonic Johnston clan steeped in Scone folklore from the very earliest days of the 20th century. Jack’s father Scott was a champion trainer throughout the Hunter Valley and North & North West. He established Tyrone Stud on the northern outskirts of Scone as his home base where he stood a succession of productive thoroughbred stallions and racehorses. The very last surviving son of the great Nearco ‘Never In Doubt’ spent his last days at Tyrone. Jack succeeded his father and added further cachet to the genre. Perhaps he was most visible and memorable leading the horse parade every year resplendent on his trusty steed richly caparisoned with Master-of-Foxhounds red coat and silk top hat! He was also an innovator boasting a long tradition with Scone Race Club and the early Scone Horse Festivals. Field events skills days were hosted by Jack at Tyrone Stud each year.
Tiger was no less an icon; in his case with the Australian Stock Horse Society, Campdrafts, Rodeo and Pickup. He was a proud native of the Timor area where the prevailing fodder and water supplies appeared to produce horsemen and women of very high calibre as well as richly talented all-rounders?