GROWING up in the saddle Greg Cook could not imagine his life without horses, successfully combining his career and lifestyle working with the animals he is so passionate about.
Born in Richmond on September 4, 1962, Greg was the eldest to sister Alison and brother Darren (Nuce).
He began riding at the age of three when his father, Robert, first allowed him and his pony “Shirley” to join him on mustering trips.
“Dad always had little Shetland’s for us kids to ride,” Greg said.
“Ever since we were young, Darren and I were always out helping dad round up the cattle.”
His relationship with horses continued through his youth but it wasn’t until age 13 when he was introduced to legendary US horseman Lee Reborse, who was teaching a clinic on his family property, that he truly became inspired to further his knowledge in natural horsemanship.
With the thirst for knowledge Greg began spending a great deal of his spare time with well known North Queensland horse trainer, Bill Basset.
Working alongside Bill furthered Greg’s passion for the horses becoming skilled in his general horsemanship at a very young age.
By age 15 Greg was breaking youngsters and assisting his father in the training of cutting horses.
“I remember I wanted to start roping so I asked dad if I could buy a rope horse,” Greg said.
“He said ‘no you have a paddock there full of horses, go make one’.”
Over the years Greg and his horse ‘Little One’ travelled thousands of kilometres together competing in events throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
“We had trust and confidence in each other, even when I roped ‘Little One’ without a bridle,” Greg said.
Moving to Townsville in 1972, horses weren’t the only animal Greg had his eyes set on with the thrill of a bucking bull being all too inviting.
“When I was about 10 dad took us to the Charters Towers rodeo and entered me in the calf ride,” Greg said.
“I was hooked straight away.”
Never one to sit on the sidelines, Greg further fuelled his passion for rodeo throughout his 20’s travelling to America and Canada to compete.
His work didn’t go unrecognised, and Greg was awarded the North Queensland bareback and bull riding champion as well as the runner-up to All Round title in Canada.
He set the path and pace of his life’s work, building skills across all country life and his reputation as a good rodeo rider, horse breaker and horseman.
While today many still recognise Greg for his rodeo efforts his time spent stirring up local dust came to an end at the age of 30.
Greg, who concluded his rodeoing career to look after his family, has three children and three step children, alongside wife of eight years Anita.
“I met Anita when her kids came to one of my clinics,” Greg said.
“My kids are into rodeoing and have since learnt to be a horseman themselves.”
Greg continues to train horses and these days is holding clinics for all levels of riders including beginners, intermediate and advanced riders Australia wide.
These clinics are designed to train the rider. They are given the opportunity to learn how to train their own horses as well as targeting their problem areas.
He also hosts a Horse Breaking Program, private lessons as well as assisting horsemen and women with their problem horse’s one on one.
Throughout his career spanning four decades, Greg has taken other trainers methods and created his own formula.
“I’ve learnt to think like a horse and to use this kind of knowledge in my own training methods, using equine natural instincts to my advantage,” he said.
“My job is to get the horse into a calm, relaxed state of mind; a horse in this state of mind will do anything I ask of it.”
“They may not always get the answer right, but they are sure going to try to, it is about teaching a horse to pay attention to my energy.”
A philosophy that Greg has adopted with his style of teaching is that “respect creates an active learner & willing partner”.
Greg’s classes cater for everyone from the beginner rider wishing to learn the basics and or build their confidence levels to the intermediate rider looking to polish up their horsemanship and riding skills to the more advanced rider who is looking for that winning edge.
His clinics are sponsored by Donohues, Merial and Equimac.
You can read more about Greg and his client’s at www.gregcookhorsemanship.com or find him on Facebook, Greg Cook Horsemanship.
