Competition

Highly Commended

Graystar
by Graeme Johnson
West Ryde, NSW

(Preface: As part of the Man from Snowy River Festival (Corryong, Vic) an event is held called "The Stockman's Challenge". One section of the Challenge is called "The Brumby Catch" where riders attempt to subdue wild brumbies caught in the Snowy Mountains National Park. This is a fictional story based on the background of this event.)

In the early morning stillness of the mountain's waking vista.
In the V shaped gullies valleys of the Great Dividing Range.
Breaths of mist caress the treetops with their icy voices calling.
Drafts and currents blowing softly give a lifting and a falling,
as the Alpine regions herald the fresh dawning of a change.

It was Summer's turn of season that had settled Kosciusko.
It was Spring that had turned running from the heat that came its way.
It was Winter relegated to a six month hibernation,
that drew forth the bursts of colour found in nature's liberation,
as the flora and the fauna sought the warmth of the new day.

There the brumby herd moved slowly from the 'Montane'* forest cover .
Through the Stringybark and White Gum and the thicket laden trees.
They were headed for a cooling sip of water from the Murray.
They had bonded close through leaner months and had no need to worry ,
for their kingdom was their freedom and they did just as they please.

At the rear to guide them forward was old 'One Eye' their lead stallion.
And the mare that taught life's lessons mingled freely with the mob.
As young Graystar broke the ranks and trotted swiftly to the river ,
wise old 'One Eye' neighed a warning that one day he would deliver,
a stern lesson with a hoof print that would make the youngster throb.

For the colt it had a nature that was spirited and brazen,
as the 5 star splash of silver he had shaped upon his breast.
He would ignore intuition that was common to his breeding.
He was prone to misadventure and to sound advice un-heeding,
as the patience of old 'One Eye' with a daily trial he'd test.

Now the 'salting runs'* of humans ran like paths through Snow Lease Country.
Through the Cascades up to Dead Horse. From Mt Blackjack to Longplain.
They are tracks forged by the cattlemen who've lived for generations,
in the isolated loneliness of far flung droving stations.
As for livelihood they trap the feral steer and horse for gain.

Now the brumbies are so hungry for the salt they find it tempting,
and young Graystar sniffed the night air as his instincts told him to.
As he wandered to the clearing and the 'salt camp'* so enquiring,
unaware the wily cattlemen were overnight conspiring,
so to catch the untamed brumbies in the trap that would ensue.

Now for nights he had been sneaking to the 'salt camp' under moonlight,
through the Alpine Ash and Candlebark. Past gorge and waterfall.
Whilst by day the humans built their muster yard with timber railing,
round the salt block with a tripwire to the swing gate it was trailing,
when one hoof beat from young Graystar shut the gate on prison's stall.

In the morning as the sun's rays split the seam of the horizon,
he was frightened by the coming of some humans that were strange.
How they grunted and they shouted as it seemed their inclination.
And young Graystar at their mercy was then marked for transportation,
to the little town of Corryong, far from his well loved range.

What new trial faced young Graystar as he quivered in the stockyard?
In the pens behind the Show ground near the main arena's ring.
There were people by the thousands. They were clapping. They were cheering.
There was noise and there was chaos 'midst their staring and their leering.
In this most disturbing atmosphere what future would it bring?

Then the speakers started blaring with a voice that was commanding,
as the ground announcer spoke instructions for the coming round,
"Now the finals of the challenge for the stockmen are beginning,
and the 'Brumby Catch'* is next one up. There's only one man winning."
As young Graystar pawed and whinnied, thumping hoof beats to the ground.

"Now here time is of the essence and the clock it says four minutes,
and the horse and rider have but only five throws if they will."
With their green hide halters handy round the brumby's neck they're slinging,
and the colts unto their horse's side the stockmen will be bringing,
as they lead them for the judges in a show of their great skill.

Now young Graystar had a notion he would vex and fox his rider .
He knew tricks that only brumbies knew to break free from the chase
As the ringers pushed young Graystar through the maze of rusty railing
Graystar wedged between the sections of the chute gate, started flailing,
'till he broke free from his confines and exploded into space.

In a wild eyed flash of movement Graystar raced around the Show Ring,
with the horse and rider closing in so quickly from the rear.
Graystar bucked and then he kicked so as to 'shake hands'* with the rider.
Then he spun and then he doubled back to brace for the decider,
and he shook his mane with courage just to show he had no fear.

Then the minute bell rang twice as Graystar halted in a heartbeat,
as the rider's horse then clipped the heels of Graystar as he stalled
But the rider he was focused as he blocked out the distraction,
of the voices that were yelling and the fairground's loud attraction.
Now he turned his horse and steadied as he heard "three minutes" called.
Now the stockman and his horse 'set up'* to make another passing .
He saw Graystar as a colt that he would catch at any cost.
As he slung his halter round the neck of Graystar he was racing.
As the noose slipped free and hit the ground he swore it cost a placing .
Then the timing bell rang four times and he knew the game was lost.

As they shunted and they hurried to herd Graystar through the end gate.
Then the brumby wild as ever started rearing in defence.
As he crashed down on the railings so to cause a wild commotion,
his young brumby's heart was strengthened by this show of bold emotion
Then he surged and knocked the ringer from his 'possie' on the fence.

As the startled man fell backwards open swung the gates of freedom,
and young Graystar seized the moment and in seconds he had fled .
'Cross the dusty tracks and paddocks at a racing pace was running.
He had seen the world of man and he had triumphed with his cunning.
As to mountains he was flying, thoughts of 'One Eye' filled his head.

Glossary

1. 'Montane' : The lower vegetation belt of the Snowy Mountains region.
2. 'salting runs': Mountain cattlemen set salting stations (i.e. an actual salt block or the like) along established routes of stock movement, to attract brumbies & cattle to their muster yard traps.
3. 'salt camp': The actual site at which the trap is built & set.
4. 'Brumby Catch': Is one of the 10 overall events that comprise the "Stockman's Challenge" section of the Man from Snowy River Festival held in Corryong, Victoria, on an annual basis. Once the wild brumby is released into the ring the stockman & his horse have no more than 5 attempts in 4 minutes to halter the brumby and bring it alongside his own trained horse to show control of the beast. Extra points can be awarded for 'leading' the haltered brumby beside his own horse, a signal of established trust.
5. 'shake hands': a colloquial expression referring to the brumby's attempt to introduce himself to his aggressors by kicking.
6. 'set up': A term referring to the stockman in the event who may have to re-position his horse & his equipment before attempting another capture of said brumby