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Press, 7 September 1976, Page 13

Endeavouring to correct the faulty responses of an Australian camp drafting horse, Garth was suddenly pitched from the saddle when the steer his mount was trying to control, unexpectedly crossed in front of it. “Dad. are you all right?” said Penny, bending anxiously over the still form of her father. Before she could inquire further, her attention was drawn to a large man vaulting over the rails of the training yard. Before Penny could say a word, the man examined her father, finally taking off one of Garth’s boots and remarking: “Hmm! No bones broken, just a which ”'’ll be very sore for a while.

“It must have looked like that. Thanks for coming to my aid, Mr . . . eh?” “Rory!” “I guess you’re Irish?” “Would you say so?” replied the stranger, neither denying nor agreeing with Garth’s supposition. “My name’s Garth. You’ve met my daughter, Penny. I own this stud. Where are you from, Rory?” “The last town,” retorted Rory, ignoring the obvious point of Garth’s question, as he assisted the stud owner towards the house. “That’s a fine lass you have.” “Well, Rory, she knows nearly as much about horses as I do and she’s not afraid to work with them.” Even as Garth spoke. Penny was leading the stock horse back to the stables. Garth’s ankle bothered him some, as he eased himself awkwardly on to a settee. “On the way here, I noticed some Appaloosa. ’Tis rather level plain you have them on.

Dusk was setting in, when a car came slowly atop the crest of a country road disturbing a flock of sheep and the slumbers of their solitary shepherd. “Wayne, stop the car and ask that shepherd if this is the coast road and can we get to where we’re going by using it.” By now, the shepherd and some of his charges were alongside and. to the many questions asked, there were numerous affirmatives of “She’ll be right.” *

“Now, lass, let you be moving quickly and get me two strong sticks for a splint, otherwise you might be learning some new words in . the English language if he come to while Pm fixing this,” he added, grasping Garth’s leg and foot. Moments later, Garth came to and, assisted by Penny into a sitting position, found himself looking at a stranger who, by now, was putting the finishing touches to a crude but effective splint. Noticing Garth’s worried expression the man remarked: “Nothing’s broken, just a dislocated ankle. I’ve put your boot back on for extra support. Tell me,” he asked, “were you trying to ride through the steer or break the world’s record for Hisrnonn+inrv ?”

“Now, if it were me, I’d have them on hilly ground. It would keep them muscled up, particularly the hind quarters, which is where the driving power is.” “You know horses then,” said Garth in surprise. “Ah, well, I’ve seen the creatures before,” replied Rory. “I’ve an idea! This ankle’s going to slow me down, so how would you like to help me run the stud, for an appropriate salary, of course,” added Garth. “That is, if it would not interfere with your plans. Well, will you take the position?” “Rory O’Donnell—assistant manager of a stud I That’s an interesting thought. As for my plans, it might fit in very well with them, indeed. Would you be giving me a little time to think on it, Garth? Yes! It could work in very well with what I have to do ... ”

With a word of thanks, Wayne started the car, accelerating rapidly. “Let this be a lesson to you. Malcolm.” he remarked to his partner. “Never work with sheep or you will wind up saying the one thing all the time!” Meanwhile, the shepherd herded his flock back up the grassy bank off the road. “Now what.” he mused, “would a city pair like that do in Takahe Town?” ,(To. be continued)