Dampier-Crossley Family’s Wild Brumby Muster: A Tradition of Care and Adventure

High in the rugged terrain of North Canterbury, the Dampier-Crossley family embarks on a mission that blends adventure, tradition, and a deep love for horses. Every two years, the family runs the St James Station muster, rounding up wild brumbies from the backcountry to find them new homes as beloved pets or trekking horses.

This year’s muster was a particularly special occasion, as Hugh and Ben Dampier-Crossley brought their six children along for the first time. Among them were Gretel, a Year 10 student, and Lily, Year 12, at St Margaret’s College. Both girls have grown up surrounded by horses and share their family’s passion for ensuring the brumbies find safe, caring owners.

The muster is no easy task—it involves long days in the saddle, navigating steep hills and vast open plains. But for the Dampier-Crossleys, it’s more than just gathering horses; it’s about preserving a tradition and giving these animals a second chance. The brumbies are later auctioned off to horse lovers who cherish their strength and spirit, whether for riding, trekking businesses, or even parade displays.

For the family, the joy doesn’t end at the auction. They love hearing updates from new owners—whether a brumby is excelling in the hunt field or shining in a local parade. Through their dedication, the Dampier-Crossleys ensure that North Canterbury’s wild brumbies find the loving homes they deserve.

You can watch their story from Tuesday’s Seven Sharp here.