AQHA Magazine AQHA July-Aug 2023 | Page 28

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AQHA HISTORY REPORT - HAMISH MACCALLUM
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
TRIBUTE TO HAMISH BY : Daryn Joiner
I first heard of Hamish in 1989 , through a friend that raved about this bloke he had seen ride at a Cutting in Nar Nar Goon . We met with his big hand shake and his even bigger smile , but very few words . Our friendship was formed and the few words turned into hours on the phone , talking about horses , fishing , cows and more horses . As a Campdrafter who didn ’ t know anything about cutting horses , spending time with Hamish and watching him bring babies right through to solid horses , I was truly in awe of his ability . His sense of humour was also very sharp . One day he was giving me a lesson and asked me to turn my horse around . I did . But it felt pretty good so I kept turning a few more . “ Stop right there !” he said . Thinking I was doing alright , he then said to me , “ What are you doing ? I ’ ve never seen a cow in a camp run around you that many times !” pause - long silence . Then a big smile , flicking his fingers in the palm of his hand . Then he walked away laughing . Point taken !
Hamish had a pretty big impact in East Gippsland Campdrafting , selecting good horses . . 05 , Buck , Butterscotch , Wolfman , Roc San , Amadeus Wolf , all in Hamish ’ s judgement , were very good horses . In a short time , these horses that Hamish judged to have drafting ability have set a new benchmark for the way horses are set to work in the camp . He never pushed his horses past the point of no return . The horses that Hamish started were still sound of body and mind many years on doing a variety of horse sports . This is the man I remember , kind , gentle with not too many words and a true horseman to boot .
A mate greatly missed .
TRIBUTE TO HAMISH BY : Mathea Usher - Santa Rio Quarter Horse Stud
Stud Hamish was lovely , quiet , and kind . He would never say a bad word about anybody .
It was Hamish who found Morn Deck Q-2160 for Brian and I . I had been in contact with his mother Pat MacCallum when we were looking for a Quarter Horse colt and Hamish was working for Robert Baldwin at the time . One thing led to another and we had a look at three colts and Morn Deck was a standout . Hamish showed Morn Deck at the Moonbi Show to great success at Halter before he went to America and it was Hamish who purchased my Buster Welsh saddle in America for me that I used on Morn Deck in Western Riding events . As a horseman Hamish was outstanding , brilliant and natural . He could ride a broomstick and make it look good , he was such a good rider .
TRIBUTE TO HAMISH BY : Robert Baldwin - Euroka Quarter Horse Stud
It is a great pleasure that I have been invited to write a few words about my great friend Hamish MacCallum . To make a long story short with just a few comments that are close to my heart .
When Hamish was 16 I was asked by Hamish ’ s mother , would I take Hamish to Euroka Quarter Horse Stud at Walgett . She told me he was extremely interested in horses and most other animals and this proved to be so true . Hamish arrived at Euroka a very shy 16 year old and after four and a half years proved to be a man of honesty , integrity and loyalty to all those around him . The first thing that I noticed about Hamish was the most magnificent light hands he had while riding , even when very inexperienced , he had this most magnificent asset that I have only ever seen once again and they belong to his sister Sally .
During his horse career , which also included an all-round career on the 30,000 acres of Euroka , Hamish blossomed to a man with absolute humour that he was shy about showing other people , he was a magnificent cartoonist and could have made a living anywhere with his talent .
Much has been written about Hamish ’ s talent in an equine precision , so I will only say that I thank him for his effort for Euroka Quarter Horse Stud . I will mention three things , he broke-in Roc O ’ Lena Q-1662 , he trained Euroka Darango R2-929 to become the second Reining Futurity Champion at Moonbi , and a magnificent western riding horse he was , and his training enabled me to win the first Western Pleasure at Sydney Royal , the third , that when I finished riding Ima Beaver Q-823 he showed him for me and we are glad to have the enclosed great photo of him doing this .
I had asked Hamish while he was in America with Tom Lyons to ask Tom about judges . Hamish replied back to me , ‘ Train your horses so well that the judges have to score them ,’ that has been my philosophy at Euroka Quarter Horse Stud ever since .
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