Tributes flow for legendary Qld horseman Ken May

The death of former Longreach Pastoral College instructor and state-wide mentor and competitor Ken May has triggered an outpouring of love and sadness from the equine community.

Tributes have flown following the death of legendary Queensland horseman Ken May.

One of Queensland’s most respected, wise and talented horsemen is being mourned by the equine community after his death on May 3, 2023, aged almost 70.

Legendary Monto horseman Ken May suffered a series of health difficulties in the lead-up to his death, including a stroke in 2018.

Mr May was known to many as a kind, educated and giving horseman who never hesitated to offer wisdom and guidance.

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His journey in the equine world reached prominence as an instructor for the Longreach Pastoral College where he spent more than 12 years as the senior horsemanship instructor.

Ken May at the Longreach Pastoral College in 1984 (picture contributed by Ken Brown from the tribute facebook page).

Since beginning instructing in 1972, Mr May held countless clinics, lessons and was a key supporter of the Australian Stockman's Challenge movement.

In 1984, the Cloncurry Show hosted the first Stockman’s Challenge, a quintensiall challenge which tested the best of the country’s campdrafters, reiners and cutters.

Over the decades the sport evolved and spread across Australia, though the founding event at Cloncurry remained the oldest and most prestigious. Mr May won it in 1990 on Doc’s Winfield.

Fellow horseman Ian Francis recalls the support Mr May gave to the challenge, often encouraging groups from the college to make their way to the events.

Ken May offers advice to a rider. Image credit to Taina Schluter via the Ken May tribute Facebook page.

A renowned horseman in his own right, Mr Francis, a key founder of the Stockman Challenge said this support strengthened the event.

Mr May and Mr Francis spent decades working alongside each other as professional horsemen, educators and competitors.

“He (Mr May) was instrumental in revamping the whole curriculum at the Longreach College, to the extent that it became the mecca for people interested in rural horsemanship,” Mr Francis said.

Mr Francis credited Mr May’s teaching skills, and said he had a way of connecting with his pupils, sharing not only the “how” of horsemanship, but the ever important “why”.

Mr May’s expertise took him around the world teaching aspiring horsemen and women, and his wisdom remains ever present.

Ken May riding Bobadil Destiny's Diamond at the NCHA Futurity in 2010. Image contributed by Erica Hanrahan via the Ken May tribute Facebook page.

This teaching will live on through a book being built by keen supporters of Mr May’s wisdom, including Garlone Moulin.

Mrs Moulin said Mr May’s teachings in the 1980s revolutionised the family's attitude to rural horsemanship.

So enamoured by his teaching was she that Mrs Moulin would go on to host his clinics for decades at Mount Pleasant.

She remembers the all inclusive attitude Mr May had to sharing his knowledge and spoke fondly of his easy going teaching style.

“All levels of riders were there, everyone was welcome, everyone was encouraged,” she said.

The Burnett community is mourning the loss of legendary Monto horseman Ken May following his death in May 2023.

While Mr May’s death has left an unfillable hole in the horsemanship industry, both Mr Francis and Mrs Moulin agreed his teachings would live on through the thousands of students he guided.

Mrs Moulin also credited the support of Mr May’s wife Anita, who was also an instrumental part in the clinic program over the years.

In a Facebook group made in tribute to Mr May, hundreds have shared their condolences to his family and friends, along with fond memories, moments and photos.

Over the years, Mr May became a beloved member of the Burnett, Australian and international equine community and those wishing to attend his memorial are invited to the Monto Racecourse at 2pm on May 20.

The official notice for Mr May’s memorial event.