Letters From New Zealand - Learning To Ride


Learning To Ride—...I was reminded of our exploits when working on Lismore Station up the river from Wanganui. The station had five house cows for milk and during the period that I was there they employed several cowmen-gardeners and a cowgirl or two, each of whom had disappointing employment records and experience.
One girl came all the way from Wellington, with the main part of her gear being a two foot high stack of old 78rpm cowboy records. Her other experience was nil. I found this very frustrating as, being the junior shepherd, I was detailed to assist her with the milking and usually found that I would milk four and a half cows while she managed to get a cupful—but then none of us is perfect!
One day I was up on the hill above the homestead waiting for the two other shepherds to bring up a mob of sheep when I looked down to see our intrepid milkmaid heading down the track to the road, astride the quietest station pony. I was quite impressed until she reached the first gate, dismounted, turned the horse around, mounted, and rode back to the homestead paddock.

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