Matey (registered name Shartan). Matey was foaled about 1988-89 in Tasmania. His sire was the bay Garden stallion Mister (Mister Sam Nicker) and his dam the black mare Kelpie from either Garden or Cordillo (she looked Cordillo) – she was put into a yard mixed of both and went onto a truck with Garden horses. Kelpie was later rehomed and went to Queensland, and was renamed Talara Aranda Lady.
Matey was given to Kevin Bosworth as a weanling. Kevin trained him in a wide repetoire of tricks, and took him around to shows, stallion parades, rodeos etc doing his performances. One trick at the end, was Kevin accidently knocking his hat off with his stockwhip while standing on Matey’s back. He then dismounted and lined up with Matey to take their final bow. Matey would trot over, pick up the hat, come back, put it on Kevin’s head, then stand beside him to take their bow. Usually they got a standing ovation at the end.
In his old age, Matey has gone to a wonderful horsey home (in Tas.) on a farm, where he is loved and cared for. Over his lifetime Matey threw several pure Walers and partbreds. Any information and photos most welcome.