Fun, knowledgable, patient and committed. John & Cathy Wade are your perfect Jackaroo Jillaroo hosts.
Like that other famous cowboy John Wayne our John can be a total handful at times. "Wadey", as he's known around the traps is a colourful character with a quick wit and never short of a good yarn. He's your classic lovable Aussie country larikin so be warned - you could easily find yourself on the other side of his mischievous nature!
Wadey's taught thousands of people to ride. He's as passionate about it as the day is long. Does he have all the bits of paper and fancy qualifications? Mate thats no what its about out here. When you're born on a saddle blanket and christened with the water from a quart pot like Wadey you know your stuff. Wadeys been bouncing around on horseback since before he could walk.
That might be so but even Wadey acknowledges he didn't discover his true love for horses until he realised that being a shearer wasn't for him. After all for one of Bingara's favourite sons there wasn't any point being a hero by spending your life shuffling about like a half open pocket knife as is the plight of the shearer. Being recognised as a gun shearer wasn't a badge of honour our Wadey was ever going to aspire to.
Instead his lot in life is to cheerily show you lot what Aussie horse back riding and the station lifestyle is all about. He's highly respected for his expert horsemanship and riding for everyone, irrespective of experience, is a joy with this true gentleman of the bush. For beginners and intermediates he'll build your confidence in a safe one on one way. For guns and experienced riders he'll explain advanced Aussie equine skills on educated horses.
Wadey's wife Cathy keeps the show together. Her attention to detail and making sure everyone is looked after is well known. As well as being the backbone of the business she prepares every dish to her satisfaction. They are home-cooked each day using fresh local produce and Australian Outback cooking styles.
Our Bingara Outback farm or ranch is a working property. At any time you may be part of "work in progress" on the station or neighbouring properties. This is the joy of living in the moment and spontaneously. A life less predictable. Whats so cool is you'll feel as though you are making a useful contribution in mustering and various farm or station jobs taking place.
The property runs up to three hundred head of cattle and over two hundred horses year in year out. Breeding and rearing horses is a big part of the business with stock consisting of Shire, Percheron and Clydesdale cross-breeds. The horses here have a very quiet nature. This creates a fantastic learning environment and the animals are easily broken and educated. Horses breed and educated here with your help are sold for eventing, dressage competition and jumping, pony club, and carriage horses. One hundred and twenty five foals are born each Spring on the property with these horses broken in by course participants as part of “Work in Progress” on the property.
As Jackeroos & Jilleroos on our Outback ranch you are in extremely good hands.
