Finding Snowy River Country in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
6:00 AM – A winding dirt road, bordered by weathered wooden fences, whispers of a world still untouched. The soft glow of dawn unveiled a ranch waking slowly to the rhythms of nature.
Horses grazed in high pastures dotted with white flowers, their coats glinting like polished bronze and silver in the morning light. Beyond them, dense woods climbed toward the horizon, their edges softened by early morning mist. The saloon stood quietly at the forest’s edge, adorned with wagon wheels and a saddle resting on its roof, as if guarding the stories of generations past.
In 2022, I set out on a week-long adventure with a friend to Red Horse Mountain Ranch, nestled in the valleys of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I’m not going to lie—this ranch was not my first choice. I would have much preferred to stay at one of the ranches closer to Grand Teton National Park, where we could ride through those iconic mountain ranges that are so familiar to us all. But much to my surprise, Red Horse Mountain Ranch fulfilled many more expectations than I foresaw when we first got onto that flight.
The first ride of the day began not just with the smell of dew-soaked earth but with the anticipation of entering another world, one where horses led the way and nature dictated the pace.
From the back of my horse, Lucy, a palomino with a mane like golden silk, I felt a mix of serenity and adventure as we made our way into the towering trees, steep slopes and a view that went on for miles.
It was a scene straight from Banjo Paterson’s The Man from Snowy River, a story that echoed in every hoof beat and rustle of the leaves.
Riding Through Beauty—and Challenges
The horses were the heart of this experience for me, each of them a character in their own right. My steed, Lucy—a beautiful palomino—was affectionately nicknamed, though his real name turned out to be Lucifer (a detail that made me laugh, given my love for Supernatural).
While Lucy exuded calm confidence, the dangerous terrine made me a bit uneasy, especially during rides along narrow ridges, or up especially steep slopes where the horses could easily slip and one fall could easily end in catastrophe. One unforgettable whole day ride took us to Carroll Peak, where the winding forest trails opened up to breathtaking views. From the summit, a rugged mountain range stretched across the horizon—someone claims one of these ranges were the Grand Tetons, though they remained shrouded in the mist of the distance.
Whether or not it was true, the view was legendary in its own way, the view for lunch on that ride was well worth the saddle soreness I had in the morning.
Layers of Tranquility and Indulgence
Every morning at the ranch began with tranquil beauty: mist rolling over the pastures, grazing horses bathed in the soft light of dawn, and the quiet hum of nature all around.
But the serenity didn’t end with the landscape. Midweek, the ranch surprised us with an unforgettable dining experience.
Arriving at the dining hall expecting the usual casual buffet, we found the doors locked and were asked to return later. When we did, the hall had transformed into something straight out of a fine dining magazine
—a long, candlelit table adorned with floral arrangements and a seven-course meal prepared by the ranch’s private chef.
The flavors, the ambiance, and the sheer attention to detail elevated the entire evening into something I’ll never forget.
A Ranch Hand’s Chill Moment
The ranch wasn’t just about thrilling rides or elegant dining—it was filled with quirky, unexpected moments that added layers to the experience. One evening, I spotted a ranch hand on her way to practicing yoga in the open pasture, surrounded by grazing horses. It wasn’t an official session or an activity offered to guests—it was simply her way of unwinding after a long day on the trails.
The thought of her peacefully stretching while the horses moved quietly nearby was both amusing and oddly inspiring. It was a reminder of the unique, laid-back charm of the ranch—a place where even the unconventional felt perfectly in tune with the environment.
An Ode to Snowy River
This trip was more than an adventure—it was a bridge between two worlds. While Red Horse Mountain Ranch is firmly rooted in the valleys of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the spirit of Snowy River Country—a land immortalized by Banjo Paterson’s poem and brought to life in the Man from Snowy River movie—resonated deeply throughout the week.
The movie, released in the 1980s, brought the wild beauty of the Australian High Country to audiences worldwide, telling a timeless story of resilience, bravery, and the unbreakable bond between humans and horses. Riding through Idaho’s trails, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to that same spirit—the untamed landscapes, the camaraderie with my steed, and the mix of serenity and challenge that defines the wild.
Even now, these memories inspire me. I’m excited to bring the essence of this trip to life on canvas, capturing the tranquil afternoons,
the breathtaking views from Carroll Peak,
and even the quirky moments like yoga with horses.
Snowy River may belong to Australia, but its spirit found a home in Idaho that week, and it’s a story worth sharing—and painting.
Unbroken Stride: An Artist's Mountain Narrative
If you really want to understand my journey, let me take you back to The Man from Snowy River.
It’s more than just an Australian ballad by Banjo Paterson or an iconic 1982 film—it’s a timeless story about rising to impossible challenges.
The film follows a young mountain rider dismissed by seasoned ranchers but determined to prove his worth.
In a breathtaking moment, he does what no one else dares: charging down a near-vertical slope to round up wild brumbies, those untamed feral horses.
It’s a tale of grit, courage, and the relentless pursuit of your own path.
When I arrived at Red Horse Mountain Ranch, the landscape resonated with that very narrative. The peaks, draped in dense greenery, ascended gracefully into a clear blue sky adorned with delicate wispy clouds. Far from being mere jagged outcrops, each mountain revealed itself as a living masterpiece—bold yet serene, echoing the wild majesty of nature and mirroring my struggle to carve out an authentic artistic identity.
Just as the film’s hero fearlessly rides his small mountain horse against a surge of wild stallions,
I’ve navigated the turbulent emotional terrain of familial doubt. To my family, my artistic ambitions have always been a risky deviation—a wild, unpredictable domain that threatened the comfort of convention. Yet like that determined rider proving his mettle on those formidable slopes,
I persist. Every brushstroke, every creation is my fearless ride—a challenge to the boundaries that would confine my creative spirit to safe, predictable plains.
As the sun set behind the lush, forested peaks, casting long, graceful shadows across the valley, it became clear: my art, much like this landscape, is uncontainable, vibrant, and alive. In my video, the final scene mirrors that iconic moment when Jim drives the brumby herd into the corral.
While in the film this moment provides a satisfying conclusion, for me it symbolizes the culmination of every effort—each risk taken and every uncertain step—coming together to make a dream a reality. I deliberately kept that shot and the song "Breaking the Colt" from the soundtrack as the emotional heartbeat of the piece, underscoring the triumph of creative pursuit.
In that radiant instant, with the wild majesty of the mountains as my canvas, I realized I wasn’t just chasing validation—I had become validation itself. Wild, unbroken, and magnificently free.
If you would like to watch the video and hear the reading of Banjo's Poem please click on the link below and Ride on!