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Image by Lindsay Moller Productions
in theF RO N T
BAR with
ALISTAIR F L O W E R
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS
C
hrissy, can you introduce yourself for those that don’t know you? G’day folks, I’m Chrissy, I operate Hastings River Horse Riding on the beautiful banks of the Hastings River at Wauchope. If you’ve been on one of our rides, you’ll know me as that guide that never stops talking! Are you local to Wauchope? What brought your family to the area? I was born and bred in the Snowy Mountains, and I’ve been residing in our beautiful region now for 10 years. I spent six years in the Sydney (gee-whiz that was an awkward start for a country girl!) where I met Tony, a country boy at heart, and when the kids arrived there was no way they were going to miss out on what I had growing up! We had the choice of going back to my home roots or taking a gamble somewhere completely new. In 2011 off we settled here with our two boys and a beautiful home at Redbank, safe to say that gamble has paid off! Tell us about your business? How did it start? Well, that’s an interesting story! On 29th December 2019 I visited Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding – little did I know that Mark was closing down the business after almost two decades. I didn’t have any intentions of ever owning a trail riding business, but by 31st December 2019 I had five Bellrowan horses on my property and became the founder of 62 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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CHRISSY McEWEN
WAUCHOPE’S HORSE LADY & COMMUNITY LEGEND Hastings River Horse Riding! I’ll never forget the day my company business name certificate arrived in the mail, I had literally opened the envelope at the same moment we experienced the first drought breaking rain – a very emotional moment and a sign of good times to come. Why are horses your passion? What gives you fulfilment in your business? My parents bought me a little colt when I was a wee tacker and that was the start of something extraordinary. I never had any formal training, I was just given an unbroken pony and a ‘here you go’. I named him ‘Frisbee’ and our bond, connection and passion grew from there. At 13 I would pack up my pony and go bush for days on end, coming back when I had run out of food! A pretty good up-bringing really. I love seeing happy customers, happy horses and happy staff. I’m also blessed to have the best team of guides working for HRHR. More often than not the girls will be teaching each other different skills in their downtime – it’s quite amazing to see! It’s not an easy gig, and it takes true grit to do what we do so well. Aside from riding, where else can we find you? What else takes up your spare time? Haha at the pub of course! Either the Beechwood or the Hastings, usually with a horse in tow! The past couple of years have been tough for local business, and I assume it is no different for you. Covid, floods, it’s been a
lot. How has your business survived? Yes, look there’s a lot to look back and reflect on. Drought, fires, floods and the ongoing pandemic. The floods temporarily destroyed our signature river ride access so we had to diversify. Our operating costs were the same, the horses still required work to ensure they were ready for when we could open. I had a commitment to the crew that we would get through the tough times, no matter how hard it would be. You are a huge supporter of the Hastings community, and other business within the community, what drives this? I’m so chuffed to live and breathe the Hastings Valley and work alongside so many amazing businesses. In the 10 short years I’ve been here, I’ve seen the region grow from strength to strength, from innovative youngsters having a go at something to the long-time established organisations that have been here for generations. Everyone hooks in to support one another! For me, I strive give back what the community has given me. I’ve been so humbled with the support of many friends, individuals and business people in our community, like yourself Flowery. People like Paul and Helen Mansfield were a godsend after the floods and I must mention my neighbours Geoff and Jen who have provided endless support and kept me on track when times have been tough. Thanks Chrissy.
