‘Medieval to the Core’
Living on 35.2 hectares, halfway between Lithgow and Bathurst, NSW, and with 13,500 hectares of pine forestry at their back gate, the unlimited, peaceful mountain trails through various terrains, have always been great places for Rod and Michelle Walker to ride. From putting some miles on young horses, to taking a relaxing ride on their older horses, it’s just perfect.
The couple say that the Central West of NSW has been a wonderful place to live. With the weather mild, and often a fair bit of snow in winter, their pets, all rescues, prefer the house, to going near the horses. Dogs, Moe and Slash, and cats, Tigger and Smokey (who came with the Walker’s property) enjoy their lives as much as Rod and Michelle enjoy theirs.
Like her Mum, Michelle has loved and ridden horses from a young age. When her family moved to Gunnedah, she got her first horse, Stormy, a New Forest Pony that she rode at Pony Club. She had riding lessons with a Dressage instructor, and anything learned from others, she’d put into practice, whether it was Dressage, Showing, Eventing, Showjumping, Polocrosse, Team Penning or Campdrafting.
Rod’s interest in horses came after meeting Michelle, at 18—if he wanted to spend time with her, he had to ride, often with hilarious results! When Rod mentioned his interest in Jousting, he had no riding or horse skills. So, Michelle taught him how to ride and care for horses. The couple eventually became involved with Australian Stock Horses, learning much from attending clinics
