Pro horse trainer Heath Harris dead days after historic alleged sex offence charges

Elite horse trainer Heath Harris of The Man from Snowy River fame has died by suicide days after being charged with historical sex offences.

The coroner is investigating the suicide of renowned horse trainer Heath Harris who died days after he was charged with historical sex offences, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

Mr Harris, 75, was a legendary wrangler and trainer on movies including Phar Lap, Breaker Morant, Gallipoli and The Man from Snowy River.

He had been charged on March 30 this year with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and another two counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged between 17 and 18. He had been granted conditional bail which included surrendering his passport and was due to appear in court on May 13.

His wife Krissy, who was also his business partner in endeavours including their Stonewall Equestrian estate, had paid tribute to her late husband who she said died on April 2.

Horse trainer Heath Harris at his Central Coast property in 2016. Picture: El Pics/Getty Images

“I am devastated and beyond sad to lose the love of my life, my best friend and the most wonderful husband of 34 years,” Ms Rawson-Harris- who is a former world champion show jumper- said.

“Heath was the creator, the visionary and one of the hardest workers who contributed to make Stonewall the most beautifully ambient boutique showground. His creative magic is evident in every part of Stonewall from the arenas to the rock walls and the lakes and meandering fences and roads.

“I will endeavour to follow his directions and dreams to see it to completion.”

Mr Harris, whose full name was Heathfield Rawson-Harris, also worked as a stunt co-ordinator on movies around the world including We of the Never Never and The Legend of Zorro and was a noted saddle maker with his Hawkesbury River Saddle Company. He famously trained the horses for the Man from Snowy River event at previous Sydney Royal Easter Shows.

Heath Harris with rearing 'Colt from Old Regret' during the rehearsal of "The Man from Snowy River" show spectacular for a previous Easter Show. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The couple’s website states: “As a young man Heath Harris was apprenticed to Australia’s finest craftsmen before travelling to the outback, breaking horses in the bush and, of course, working in film and television, leading him to become an internationally recognised movie horse trainer.

“(He) is one of the world’s elite liberty horse trainers.”

Police said in a statement that they were called to a property at Mangrove Mountain about 10am on April 3 after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man.

“Officers from Brisbane Water Police Area Command attended and located the body of the 75-year-old man,” police said.
“The man’s death isn’t believed to be suspicious and the circumstances surrounding the incident will form part of a report to the coroner.”