2000 Sydney Olympics
The tribute to the Australian Stock Horse during the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony was a moment the world will never forget. An audience of more than 3.7 billion people watched as Steve Jefferys galloped into the stadium, reared and cracked his whip. A further 140 horses were ridden into the Stadium and performed intricate formations to a specially written version of the‘ The Man From Snowy River’ theme, by Australian composer Bruce Rowland.
Article by Zoe Lackey
“ We’ re all off to the stadium now, We’ re all gonna show them how...” The Rider’ s Anthem, led by the vocal Stuart Booth and created by a talented team of individuals, could be heard echoing around P4 carpark and through the tunnels of Stadium Australia. It reflected the confidence and focus of the group from‘ the bush and scrub’, united for the sole purpose of the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.
They had come a long way since the first Boot Camp held at Scone from 10th-12th March, when Sergeant Don Eyb( later dubbed‘ the Don’) and Tony Jablonski were confronted by a motley mob full of curiosity and a touch of trepidation. Darrel Clifford made his mark as camp boss, directing parking, issuing panels and keeping the strays in line. Fiona Wallis and her many helpers answered questions, filled out forms and dished out meal tickets.
Meanwhile, Don and Tony puzzled out the amazing logistics of putting such a huge number of horses into a stadium and, at the same time, choreograph it so that it looked spectacular. Ignatius Jones pulled out his trusty computer and programmed a series of dots( alias horses) into formation. By the Sunday and the visit from SOCOG, friendships had been founded and horses bonded as six troops traipsed around White Park displaying their newly discovered troop drill skills. A quick run through the original routine at the trot brought tears to the eyes of SOCOG’ s Jodie and tingled everyone’ s skin with goosebumps as curiosity began to turn into realisation. The specially designed carpet had been trample-tested, trees, power poles, taps and witches hats dodged and dressage arenas tripped over- and in the end this team of riders rolled up their swags feeling tired, elated and motivated.
On their often long hauls home they waxed lyrical about the wonderful time they had, and how they looked forward to the second Boot Camp in June. Sadly, they spoke only to their steeds, as they had to keep this secret, well, as secret as they could!
The icy wind chilled the bones of horse and rider as flagpoles clinked during more troop drill at the second Boot Camp in Scone. The Don insisted it was to refresh our skills but the riders knew it was to warm them through their thermals. Group leaders Alan, Bob, Marty, Phillip, Donna, Steve, Wendy, Barry, Mike and Paul demanded more, looked for perfection, shuffled their riders and horses around searching for a happy combination. It was a difficult job, but somebody had to do it! They led their troops to the small arena for the unfurling of‘ the big white flag’. The horses were less interested than the locals, hoping to get some inside viewing, but who were informed with a bright response that‘ they’ re doing an ad for Omo!’
The riders, on the other hand, were inspired at meal times by motivational speeches from Joy Poole and David Atkins, among others, and left Scone for the second time looking forward to the ten day Boot Camp at Castle Hill. Yet each rider fostered a self-criticism that pushed many to get together and practice. The inspector on the tick gate at Wallangara on the NSW / QLD border was beginning to recognise these seasoned travellers and chaperones as the Queensland horses stopped to be sprayed; Norfolk Island was reminded of three( including Buzz) of its former pony clubbers; Maitland had to part with a large amount of its polocrosse talent; farms were left to fend for themselves and bosses sat puzzled in their offices wondering just what their employees were really up to as a convoy of trucks and floats converged on Castle Hill.
The audience of the first dress rehearsal contained family and friends of a few riders and volunteers eager to watch the ceremony unfold. A lunchtime passage through Checkpoint Charlie culminated in a five hour preparation party in P4 carpark. Riders hummed the National Anthem to themselves as they wracked their memories for the words of the 2nd verse, pulled on their moleskins, boots and spurs, white shirts, Drizabones and hats then lined up for a wardrobe check as coloured scarves were tied around their necks. Butterflies fluttered as Tony and Don addressed
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