AQHA November/December 2016 Magazine Volume 16 Number 6 | Seite 17

Dad was lucky because he had mates
that he stayed in touch with his
whole life. People like Donny Turner
and Stumpy Malone. He loved those
two fellas like they were his brothers.
Dad has been blessed to have mates
that he could always get in touch
with and things would be just like
old times. And this friendship was
established long before the days
before Facebook, email and texting….
although we all know he well and
truly mastered the art of texting!
As a father, Dad was tough, but he
was fair. He taught us to work hard
and to take pride in ourselves and
what we did. He was a great provider
and we never went without. He liked
to settle things old school. When
Janice and Maree were in their late
teens and boys started to take them
out on dates he would always hang
the boxing gloves on the hook beside
the front door. He used
to tell the suitors that if
they had the girls home
by 10.00, then he wouldn’t
need to use the gloves. He
didn’t care that it took an
hour and half to drive to
town and an hour and a
half back. Have the girls
home by 10.00.
As a grandfather, Dad had
mellowed considerably. He
just loved to have fun with
his grand kids. He loved to
tease, loved to shadow box
and he loved to race. And
much to the kid’s disgust,
he loved to WIN! There

was no beating Grandad!
He took great pleasure in breaking
and starting horses for his
granddaughters, Cheyenne and
Montana, or finding the right horse
for them to buy. Dad was a mad
Queensland supporter and he loved
to follow the Rugby League. Just last
year, Les Jnr, Paula and Harry took
him to his first and only live football
game. As they were walking into
Suncorp Stadium he looked at Leslie
and said, “Gee mate, so they get a few
here do they…?”
Dad moved to Wallaville, near Gin
Gin and retired from training horses
for the public, but he couldn’t help
himself. He was still breaking, buying
and selling horses. He was actively
involved in helping to establish the
Wide Bay Burnett Cutting Club. And
there was a steady stream of floats in

and out of his driveway, with people
coming to have lessons with their
horses.
Dad hated getting old. He raged
against it. He kept fit, always ate
the right thing and was conscious of
keeping his mind active and ticking
over. In the bigger picture, he didn’t
get the chance to get old. He was
diagnosed with Malenaoma earlier
this year. It was a very aggressive
form of cancer that he didn’t really
get a chance to fight.
We adored Dad and there are just so
many happy yarns and tales to tell
about him. He was strong, he was
cheeky, he was loving and he truly
did things his way, right until the day
he died.
We are so grateful to call this legend
our father. We appreciate everything
that he has done for us and
the way he has faced every
challenge in his life with
courage and determination.
The chapters of Dad’s
life overflow with great
adventures, a loving family,
countless friends, good health
and happiness. Yours truly
was a life well lived Dad. We
love you and we are proud of
you. Rest Peacefully
Janice, Maree
and Leslie.

Love

Les Rudd Snr & Les Rudd Jnr

Les Rudd riding Peppy Snake *
November • December • 2016 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 17