This is description of the program for our 4 Days / 5 Nights event. The program will vary for shorter stays and for the Long Riding Weekend at Waterloo.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive at Waterloo mid-afternoon and get settled in at the shearer’s quarters. Take as stroll around the area and get a glimpse of the beautiful countryside which you will be exploring on horseback during the coming days. When you hear the dinner bell it will be time to get back to the shearer’s quarter for dinner and meet up with your guides and fellow riders for the week.
Day 2
Following a great country breakfast it will be time to put your boots on and walk over to the stables where you will get the horses ready for the day. Once saddled up, the morning will focus on learnings and developing skills about riding and working with your horse on a cattle station. Once you have mastered some of these skills in the yards, in the afternoon you will practice these skills riding out on the station. In the late afternoon there will be introductory roping lessons and you will learn how to crack a stockwhip. Once back at the quarters, a cold beer, a glass of white wine and nibbles followed by another example of great Australian home style cooking will be waiting for you – to be enjoyed with a couple of glasses of that great Australian Shiraz.
Day 3
Get ready for a day in the saddle. The morning will be filled with an introduction to cow working and some working with cattle props. The afternoon is reserved for cattle and stockwork out in the yard and later on riding on the range. Depending on the weather, we will take you for a sunset ride in the evening. Have a shower to wash off the sweat and dust after a day in the saddle before you enjoy a wine or beer tasting on the veranda followed by a dinner around the campfire. And don’t forget to take some time out for yourself before you go to bed to gaze at the stars before you retire to your comfortable quarters for a good night’s rest. Australian starry nights are to die for!
Day 4
Wednesday Get up early and get ready for an action packed day filled with all types of station activities and work. Your ride will take you to various areas of the station where you will check fences, dam levels and water troughs. You will have a picnic lunch out in the paddock and if you are lucky you can have a snooze under the beautiful gumtrees before you continue your work and your ride in the afternoon. In the evening, be prepared to get into the ute and ride into town for a few drinks and dinner at the local pub!
Day 5
This will be the day to put all of your skills acquired during the week to the test and it will be another action packed day riding and checking on cattle. In the evening, put on your best country frock and walk over to the Waterloo homestead for an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy drinks and nibbles on the veranda and the beautiful gardens followed by a dinner in the stately dining room at the Waterloo homestead. This will be an Australian experience you will cherish forever! There is only one more thing to say – Enjoy!
Day 6 Departure
Take in the view from the breakfast table and then it’s time to say goodbye and take with you what’s for you alone to keep which are all of these great memories to be cherished forever!
Nutrien Classic Program (2.5 Days / 2 Nights or extended program)
If you are adding the Landmark Classic Program to this experience, it will either take place prior to your cattle station experience or following your stay at Waterloo Station).
Established in 2008, the Landmark now called Nutrien Classic has evolved to become Australia’s premier Campdrafting competition and world class performance horse sale and Australia’s premier Campdrafting competition . The annual event now runs over 9 days filled with campdrafting and four days where more than 600 Australian stockhorses and quarter horses will be auctioned off. Signing up for the program will give you the opportunity to attend this once in a lifetime event as a spectator and get to know the Australian campdrafting community.
The additional price for attending the Nutrien Classic will be approximately Euro 500 and will include transfer from/to Waterloo station or to/from Tamworth plus two nights accommodation. Food and drinks will not be included in the price.
