honouring our horse heroes: Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival president Anne Davies with Rusty Wharton of Gundy has been named as the festival’s honorary VIP this year.
Gundy living legend, Rusty Wharton, has been chosen as this year’s VIP of the Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival.
“Every year we recognise an older person from the Upper Hunter that has dedicated their life to horses,” festival president Anne Davies said.
“This year we are delighted and honoured to have Rusty Wharton as our VIP,” Ms Davies said.
Raised on a cattle property in Gundy that has been in the family since 1864, Rusty said he has thoroughly enjoyed being involved in numerous horse sports over the years.
“I won my first ribbon when I was four as champion boy rider at the Gundy Show,” Rusty said.
“Back then, we all had to ride to school.
“We also rode to all the rodeos and shows, it wasn’t until later that trucks came along, that we were able to go further a field.
“I did a lot of sporting events in the early days and then went into campdrafting.
Well known around the chutes, Rusty said his love for rodeo and roughriding had also been with him a life time.
“I rode a few bullocks - and there were quite a few I didn’t ride too.”
“I always say when you get a bit of horse dust on your brain, it stops there.”
Rusty may have hung up his spurs in the rough riding and campdrafting arena, but he still finds time to ride around the farm.
Next Saturday the names of the region’s most distinguished foundation campdrafters, rough riders and pick up men of yesteryear will be recognised on a plaque to be unveiled at the campdraft silhouette (pictured) at Coronation Park.
An open invitation is extended to the public to attend the official unveiling of the plaque which will take place after the parade on Saturday May 12 opposite the mare and foal
statue at Elizabeth Park.