By Callum Ludwig
Locals are supporting the Victorian Brumby Association through the annual Brumby festival in Wesburn which is returning on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November.
This year, funds raised will be more important than ever as the Brumby Sanctuary in Glenlogie has been devastated by recent floods.
Event organiser Tanya French said the festival is the only brumby only show in Australia.
“A lot of these horses haven’t been out in the wild very long, and we just wanted something that was a bit more easygoing and inclusive, rather than just for people with a lot of money and a fancy horse,” she said.
“This is the first time we are doing it over two days, and we have horses coming from all over the state to participate in classes and obstacle courses as well as listen in on talks about management.”
The Australian Brumby Challenge finals will also be happening; an event where 19 trainers have 120 days to gentle their horses from the wild, they then come and compete at the festival at the end of the challenge.
Ms French said there are a number of noticeable differences between brumbies and domestic horses.
“They’re a lot smarter than me because they haven’t had everything handed to them on a plate, having had to seek out their own food, water and shelter,” she said.
“Obviously, they’re a lot wilder but sometimes when they get a wild horse that’s really scared of people you have to take time to make friends and let them know you’re not going to hurt them. The first time you touch them can be a very big deal, but the bond is much better because you are the first person they’ve known and trusted.”
Ms French has competed in the Australian Brumby Challenge four times, with her first in 2014 and owns two Brumbies herself.
The Brumby Sanctuary is facing about $50,000 worth of damage and anyone interested in supporting the recovery efforts can donate at: www.gofund.me/821cf46c
