Documentaries

The Horse Handler - Snowy the Wild Horse of the Tinderry Ranges
Wild Kids, Wild Horses - featuring The Horse Handler and Father Chris Riley

The Horse Handler - Snowy the Wild Horse of the Tinderry Ranges

Deep within the rugged mountain country of the Tinderry Ranges (part of the Snowy Mountains high country of New South Wales) the last few remaining wild horses have survived against all odds. Years of culling, sport shooting and loss of habitat have nearly wiped out the entire wild horse population. But a few spirited brumbies still roam free in the Tinderry. This small, threatened mob includes Snowy, a very special white mare who encapsulates all the wild beauty of this majestic breed. Here, where the brumby muster is part of folklore and tradition, expert horse handler Greg Powell is on a mission to save Snowy and her companions - his plan is to round them up and re-locate them to safety.

Greg Powell's life revolves around building partnerships with horses and understanding the secrets locked inside their minds. Every wild horse is a challenge to a horse handler, but in taking on Snowy - the Brumby Mare, Greg may have finally met his match.

Over eighteen months in the making and featuring stunning cinematography, this inspiring documentary takes you to the heart of Australia's untamed country - to tame the heart of its last wild beasts.

Wild Horses & Wild Kids The Brumby Project

Wild Horses & Wild Kids is an inspirational, entertaining documentary about hope and about being given a second chance at life. Presented by Australian acting icon Jack Thompson, the film is a delightful story about what happens when a group of troubled teenagers are brought together with a group of wild horses in an effort to tame them both.

The man charged with the task is Greg Powell, who's magical technique of working with horses has led to his recognition as one of Australia's leading authorities on the training of horses. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the art of building relationships with horses through mutual trust and understanding, rather than fear and intimidation.

Father Chris Riley

Wild Horses & Wild Kids features Greg's partnership with Father Chris Riley, the founder of Youth Off The Streets, in a unique social learning scheme called The Brumby Project.

The Brumby Project is a concept that puts a group of troubled young adults together with Greg and some wild horses in an effort to help them develop a relationship with their own brumby. Father Chris Riley talks openly about the challenges these youngsters are faced with in their own lives and underlines the message that violence never works. The hope is that by learning how to develop a special bond with their horse using Greg's gentle training techniques the kids will be encouraged to improve their own life and social skills.

This film follows the interaction of the kids with the horses from the fearful beginnings to the tearful, triumphant conclusion. We see the kids nervous and insecure, just like the wild horses they will train, become confident and inspired as Greg teaches them how to overcome the horses' fear of humans and replace it with trust and mutual respect. The kids must learn to have patience, composure and commitment to succeed in taming their horse and build a successful relationship.

For the wild horses too, developing relationships with human beings is the beginning of a whole new life - and this is the fascinating parallel that lies behind action. As the brumbies who ran wild in the bush learn to trust their human counterparts, so too Father Riley's troubled teenagers learn to trust themselves and each other.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes nerve wracking, always emotional, see the progress and setbacks in this truly inspiring story about wild horses, wild kids, and the man who brings them together to give them a second chance.