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AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
whose style and feel for horses caught his imagination and made him aware that “ there was more to horsemanship than basic transportation ”.
Ian graduated to Rodeo where , for 12 years , he made a name for himself riding bareback , saddle broncs and bulls .
While working on various Central Queensland cattle properties he moved on to Campdrafting . When the beef industry was in recession , he took the opportunity to manage John and Jenny Kingston ’ s Kolora Quarter Horse Stud . There his knowledge and appreciation of the Quarter Horse breed was fine tuned . Ian credits much of his philosophy and attitude to life to John ’ s influence at that time .
In 1980 he set up the Ian Francis Training Stables in a picturesque valley at Widgee outside Gympie , Queensland where , with Lexi Plath , he built and has maintained a reputation for presenting consistently well-trained horses in top condition for competition or for sale . Ian never fails to acknowledge the important role Lexi has played in the success of the outfit .
Among many others who have figured in his rise to fame , Ian lists four key men . Along with Barry Whitaker and John Kingston , there was Lee Reborse , a Nevadan who moved to Rockhampton (“ an excellent competitor specially in Reining and Working Cowhorse , a mild-mannered and very giving man ”) and top Australian horseman , John Stanton (“ his advice and attitudes to competition and life in general greatly affected my thinking ”).
Ian Francis has made some several trips to the USA and Canada . Highlights were representing Australia at World Cups in both countries and winning the Open division of the International Reining Council ’ s World Cup in Toronto in 1992 . Among great horses trained and campaigned by Ian over the years have been King ’ s Gaiety , King ’ s Charge , Gold Astral , NBD King Poco Bar , Kings Gold , Dans Lady Cylip , Kolora Lunar Lady , D-Bar Paint Your Wagon , Kolora Classic , Murrumbo Fiona , BS Mingo ’ s Lucero , Vogue O ’ Lena , The Equalizer , Spindle , Doc ’ s Desert Rose , Doc ’ s Wild Orchid , Amaroo Rock n Return , Pillamindi Roc , Doc ’ s Kylie Anne , Riverholme Royal Oak , Doc ’ s Gold Dude , Nonda Tall Poppy , Donrice Conchite , Yarrango Reggae , Nonda Nightbird , Havenville Crackshot , Jaylo Bushman , Whisp O ’ Lena and Star Carousel .
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