Wild Ride: The Story of the Australian Stock Saddle

Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum presenting the story of Australia’s fabulous goldrush. Its particular focus is the impact of the great 19th century gold discoveries on the growth of Ballarat, which was a small pastoral settlement when gold was discovered in 1851. By 1861, Ballarat had grown into a fine provincial city built on the wealth derived from its gold.Sovereign Hill is administered by The Sovereign Hill Museums Association - a not-for-profit, community-based organisation. The Association is also responsible for the administration of the Gold Museum and the Narmbool historic pastoral property.

The Sovereign Hill Museums Association

Join us in conversation with stock saddle connoisseur and collector Michael Drapac

Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades

When Clancy rode down the Cooper, Ned Kelly went on the run and Hugh Jackman’s Drover headed for Darwin, they all rode in an Australian stock saddle.Join us in conversation with stock saddle connoisseur and collector Michael Drapac to explore the unique story of the saddle and the men and women who made and rode them. In this special event you will hear the story of Terence William Purdue the Ballarat saddle maker appointed saddle maker to Prince Alfred and see an original saddle by Purdue generously donated by Michael. Developed in response to the unique challenges of the Australian environment, the Australian stock saddle is known for its comfort and ease when riding, especially over unpredictable terrain.From its early iterations in the 1800s to modern-day saddles, the stock saddle has underpinned many of this country’s most iconic historical events, but its history has never been written. Wild Ride captures this story – from colonial pioneers to Aboriginal stockmen and women, from bushrangers to the Boer War, and from the earliest crafters to the most recent handstitched examples.Saddlers are highly skilled leatherworkers; it can take months to finish a single saddle. This gorgeous book captures the work of saddlers such as Jack Wieneke, J.P. Talty and Syd Hill as well as many contemporary makers, and celebrates a uniquely Australian object – a piece of functional art.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}