Tributes to Ruddy
Ian Francis.
“ Les and I started out about the same time as professional horsemen and we were both pretty poor. Les had judged a Cutting and was brought up before the NCHA Board, which then was run by people who were well off, and thought they were pretty important- he who has the gold makes the rules. They figured he had favoured someone in the scoring.
He told them that he was the poorest man in the room, but not one of them could afford to bribe him!!!
One observation I would like to make about Les is that everywhere he went he tried to enjoy his life and when it was over, he was surrounded by family who loved him.
I don ' t know how many of us will be able to say that...”
Vivian Wearing
" I will always remember Les, as not only a leading horseman in the field of cutting, but the first one to put his hand up to help the newcomers. He always provided a positive and friendly presence at the cuttings and boy, his smile could light up the arena."
Graham Amos
“ Les was a great mate and always had a smile on his face. He was a great competitor and never missed a Cutting show. He was always friendly with everyone and loved to dance.”
Sue Williams
“ My memories of Les are fond and funny ones. Always up for a party and despite being more " mature aged " than many of the girls he danced with, he outlasted many, including myself, who took great pride in having great stamina on the dance floor! He could literally dance your legs off, and then he would walk you to your seat and go get another one( probably younger and fitter)- I loved that about him No matter how long since you had seen him Les always made you feel special and that he was so happy to see you- I loved that about him too.
Another time etched in my memory was during the Southern Circuit Show Series- very very hot days down at Geelong. We all had a free day so decided to go to the water park- so we all crammed into our five tonne Isuzu. Packed in like sardines including Les and Les Jnr- off we went. It was great fun with us charging up the hundreds of stairs then shooting down the waterslide. Les Snr was sitting on the lawn watching the goings-on with his lilywhite cowboy legs and his trademark fawn cowboy hat( which never came off). Anyway, it was too much for him seeing us all having such a good time, so he decided to give it a go. " I ' ll hold your hat Les," says me. " Nope, she ' ll be right mate, but you can hold my watch ". So off he goes, skinny white legs, long board shorts and cowboy hat. Well, watched him go up the stairs then disappear and watching the end of the waterslide when out comes Les at 100 mph like a torpedo- white legs up the air, body sideways and followed closely by his very wet, sad-looking hat!!! Without missing a beat, he comes up spluttering, grabs his hat, puts it on and strolls out of the pool. Such a funny sight!!! Gotta love this bloke!!! We will miss him.”
Todd Graham
“ I have known Les for about 35 years. Ruddy was always the first bloke to greet us when we arrived at the show, always asking, ' How ' s the family, how ' s the oldies going '. He was one of the most genuine people at the shows.”
Col McTaggart
“ For a bushman to enter the western horse world is very difficult, as they are totally different types of horsemanship. Les Rudd was one person who mastered the cutting horse world, training, showing and winning against the best.”
Jan Miller
“ I can still picture him aboard Peppy Snake *. He would remain focused while the chestnut pinned back his ears and waved his long neck just like a serpent, daring the beast to take him on. Les was a true gentleman and always ready to help anyone, especially the youth. A legend is gone, but his memory lives on in the hearts of those he has left behind.”
Selwyn Williams
“ Les was a real people person and always available to judge and assist at the Beaudesert Cuttings I was involved in when I lived there. Once I moved to Booyal Les became a great mate, as we lived around the corner from each other. He became a foundation member of the Wide Bay Burnett Cutting Club and never missed a Cutting or a meeting. Les was known for his helping everyone and showing them the ropes. His favourite spot was in the corners helping riders with the cattle. One thing I remember is that Les loved“ Tim Tams”. He is a great loss to the industry, but the memories will live on.”
Page 18 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine November • December • 2016