Meet Dave Russell

Dave Russell’s journey with horses began the way all good stories do—on the back of a pony, with wide eyes and a wild heart. He was just eight years old when he first sat in the saddle at Nyora Picnic Farm, rounding up dairy cattle (or so he thought—they were, in truth, rounding themselves up!). But that early taste of connection, freedom, and the rhythm of hooves set the course for a lifelong passion.

School holidays were spent riding the sand dunes of Rosebud at Ace Hi, alongside his dad and sister. At ten years old, Dave got his first pony—Phantom, or “Tommy” as he was known at home. Their bond spanned 37 incredible years, and to this day, Dave speaks of his little mate with enduring fondness and gratitude.

As a teenager, Dave agisted at a property in Scoresby where rodeos were a regular fixture. It was here he first learned to ride bulls, sparking a new kind of thrill. By 17, he was on the Victorian rodeo circuit, chasing the Saddle Bronc dream. In 1995, he proudly claimed the Second Division Saddle Bronc Title.

But even while chasing rodeo titles, Dave was searching for something deeper—a better way to truly connect with horses. That path led him to study under some of the greats: beginning with Pat Parelli, then Ken Faulkner (Equitana’s 2012 Way of the Horse winner), eventually becoming one of Ken’s instructors himself.

His horsemanship journey continued to evolve. He began teaching others the “silent language” of horses—helping people understand their animals on the ground, under saddle, and beyond. His teachings spanned groundwork, liberty, bridleless, obstacles, reining, dressage, and eventually, cowboy dressage.

Always a student at heart, Dave went on to explore the classical work of horsemen like Philippe Karl, Nuno Oliveira, and Miguel Tavora—soaking up the refinement and feel passed down through generations of masters.

When Cowboy Dressage reached Australian shores, it felt like home. It blended everything Dave had long been teaching with a softness and structure he admired. He became a Cowboy Dressage judge, a Level 2 instructor, and in 2018, he was crowned the Victorian Open Champion.

In recent years, Dave turned his focus to Reining—adding another string to his bow. In 2019, he earned High Point Champion, and in 2024, he proudly won the Rookie Professional Title at the Victorian State Championships.

Dave’s decades of hands-on experience, across disciplines and horse types, have shaped his unique style—one that honours the horse, values subtlety, and seeks continual improvement. He often says the more he learns, the more he realises just how softly we can speak to horses—and how much they’re willing to listen.

To this day, Dave continues to evolve, learn, and share, helping people and horses find better ways to understand each other—one hoofbeat at a time.