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Always very kind and generous , Greg was instrumental in introducing and starting many people off in the western industry . He gave much of his time , consideration and care to his own horses , horses in training , and personally , to his clients , sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise wherever he went . Many western industry people will remember Greg , as he was well-known around the around the Sydney area ’ s western show circuit , as well as at many shows throughout NSW , VIC & QLD . Greg consistently demonstrated the versatility of the Quarter horse across many events , fronting the winners circle at the Sydney Royal Easter Show , County of Cumberland , AQHA Championships and many more events throughout Australia .
Greg started as a dairy hand at ‘ Retford Park ’, a property then owned by the Hordern family . Greg ’ s calm demeanour , work ethic and ability with animals , especially horses , saw him promoted to breaking-in and showing the Welsh Mountain ponies the stud bred .
When King Ranch purchased Retford Park & Milton Park , Greg accepted a position with the Australian division of King Ranch , to become one of their trainers working with the new management . Martin Lemann , Assistant to the King Ranch Australia General Manager , Peter Bailleau , was in charge of the early Quarter Horse stud operations , managed by Stan Shephard , and assisted by Greg Gilpin . Later , Greg replaced Stan as Stud Manager .
During the 4th importation of stock from the USA , Greg was tasked with managing the transfer from England to Australia , via cargo ship . The valuable livestock were secured in wooden crates , which were tied onto the open deck . In the midst of a particularly violent storm , a near disaster occurred when the lashings on a Quarter horse mare ’ s crate came loose , and a section of the crate was actually hanging over the edge of the ship . Greg and the crew clambered onto the deck and hauled her back on board . Not bad for a man that never knew how to swim !
In 1969 , King Ranch Australia ’ s Milton Park Quarter Horse Stud celebrated the introduction of the Quarter Horse to the Sydney Royal Easter Show , boasting a ‘ double win ’, with Greg Gilpin preparing and showing both , King Ranch Valido to the Sydney Royal Supreme Champion Stallion , and King Ranch Quarter Chime Q103 to Champion Quarter Horse Mare .
Among others over the years , Retford Park & Milton Park later stood such Quarter horse stallions as King Ranch Jubilee Q-2113 , King Ranch Falcon Q-764 , King Ranch Iron Hand Q-1652 , El Pajote Q-1447 , and Peppy Snake Q-1448 .
JULY / AUGUST ISSUE 2021