Alone, the landscape of Otago inspires.
Gold Dust and Saddle Bags: Tales from
the Cavalcade
Sally Rae and Stephen Jaquiery
Add to its unforgiving charm a lineage of hardy characters,
their steeds and the memory of pioneering gold-diggers, and
the result is a recipe for enduring success.
Such is the Cavalcade.
Sally Rae and Stephen Jaquiery live in, and love, the Otago
landscape.
Their collaboration Gold Dust and Saddle Bags: Tales from
the Cavalcade (The Halcyon Press 2012) explains why.
But the book itself is not an exercise in self-promotion.
Rae allows the men and women of the Cavalcade to speak for
themselves.
It is their stories and their spirit in the text - adventures
on the Cavalcade through their eyes.
The language of the book is simple, honest and funny -
staying true to those to whom it is attributed.
Likewise, Jaquiery's photographs need no explanation.
Without reading a single word the reader can grasp the
Cavalcade's history, location, purpose and above all -
emotion.
The many portraits of key characters bring to life their
efforts to explain the passion they share for the annual
event.
What becomes apparent throughout the book is that despite the
varied backgrounds of Cavalcaders, their shared addiction to
the ride forms a common thread.
Some love horses, others the landscape. A few enjoy the break
from civilisation and most savour the friendships forged.
For the majority, it is a combination of all of the above
which draws them year after year.
Gold Dust and Saddle Bags pays homage to the
Cavalcade's founding members and, in turn, all those who have
made it the unique experience and successful enterprise that
it continues to be.
The book offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Cavalcade,
and is also in part a historic account.
Overall, it aims to capture what the lucky few can claim to
have experienced.
For Otago's rural residents, the book is an important and
much-loved part of life documented.
For city slickers, it is an inspiration, an escape and a
reminder that no matter how old or inexperienced, anyone can
be a part of the journey.
All anyone needs is backbone and a sense of humour.
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