Raised
on 15,000 acres on Coonara Station at Carrathool in South-Western New South
Wales, Eddy made his first saddle at the tender age of 12. Being
self taught, this master craftsmen strived for a quality of excellence, working
to the motto that he truly believes, that each saddle he makes is better than
the last. It is in this excellence that Eddy is well known today for his
unique craftsmanship of Saddle Making.
With 32 years in the trade, his superb ability shows through in his workmanship. Eddy is also a government accredited Saddle Making teacher having taught well in excess of 200 people the art of saddle making and saddletree making.
Previously a Team Roping heeler, Eddy swapped ends and today heads for his son Brodie-Lee. Eddy has also served as Marketing Director as well as Team Roping Administrator for the National Rodeo Association in previous years.
Maryanne
The prior Australian Appaloosa Queen of 1980, Maryanne (nee
Crotty) successfully competed in Hack, Pony Club and juvenile campdrafting at a
young age. In later teen years Maryanne turned successfully to
Western Pleasure. Serving a short term as secretary of a local Cutting
club, Maryanne headed off to America at the age of 21, where she worked for the
famous HK Ranch in California, home of Suzanne and Henning Koch and the famous
stallion "Double or Nothing".
Today Maryanne competes on the Rodeo circuit as a Barrel Racer, and is planning to reappear in the Western Pleasure ring between rodeos. Maryanne also proudly held the position of Executive Director, as well as Barrel Racing Administrator for the National Rodeo Association. Being taught saddle making by her husband, Maryanne has established her own brand of saddles known as the "Trails End" Collection. When not competing on weekends, Maryanne confesses to being a 'renovation junkie' around the home and ranch.
Brodie-Lee
The
youngest member of the Powell team at the Ranch, is none other than Brodie-Lee
Powell.
When only very young Brodie fast made his mark in the junior ranks of Rodeo,
competing in Dummy Roping, Calf Tying, Barrel Racing, Western Pole Bending as
well as Junior Breakaway Roping and Junior Team Roping. At the age
of 11, he proudly held the titles of 'Rodeo Oz Style Dummy Roping Champion
2000', 'Rodeo Oz Style Reserve Champion Calf Tying 2000' and 'Rodeo Oz Style All
Round Champion 2000' in his age category.
Today Brodie enjoys partnering up with his Dad in the Open Team Roping when time
permits.
Being the age of ready to enter his senior schooling years, Brodie is currently focusing on obtaining a good OP score to enter university to pursue his chosen career. In between studying and roping, Brodie enjoys playing field hockey for his school. Chosen Team Captain for 2003 & 2004 in his age category, he has for the past two years also held a position on the school's Senior hockey team, competing in the International Southern Skies
Chi-Chi
And
of course the Rodeo team would not be complete without Miss Chi Chi
Powell herself, who is an 8 inch high miniature Fox Terrier, who thinks she
is ten foot tall and made of dynamite. She believes she is a real cowgirl and
would love to give any Rodeo Queen a run for their money! Not to be left
out of the family activity Chi Chi enjoys going for rides on her favourite horse
"Bandit".