Paleface
Amid the rugged beauty and raw wilderness of Kosciuszko National Park, there roamed a stallion whose spirit seemed to embody the very essence of the land. Known as Paleface, he was more than a horse; he was the King of the Mountain, a living legend crowned by the natural world he ruled over.
Often seen near 4 Mile Track or by the serene shores of 3 Mile Dam, Paleface’s presence was unmistakable. His signature dreadlocks, reminiscent of Bob Marley's wild mane, and the slight dent just above his nostrils made him easily recognisable. But it was his commanding aura, a magnetism that drew anyone near him into his world, that set him apart. One could not help but be captivated, to simply be in his presence, held by the quiet power of this magnificent stallion.
Paleface was a stallion of tolerance and wisdom, a leader who balanced patience with authority. He was gentle with the young ones in his mob, but if they dared to test him, Paleface would show them just what it meant to respect the King. Over the years, he had his share of confrontations, especially with rivals like Dan and Posterboy, who often lingered at the edges of his family, like shadows lurking around his herd. Paleface was watchful but unbothered, so long as they kept their distance. Yet there was one unforgettable encounter, a battle between Paleface, Dan, and Posterboy that shook the ground itself. Ian, our photographer, was there, caught in the thick of it, taking cover behind a tree as the earth trembled beneath the force of their hooves. It was a harrowing, magnificent moment, a memory Ian would carry forever, a testament to Paleface’s power and the fierce loyalty he inspired.
The bonds among Paleface’s mob ran deep. His mares—Mrs Yan, Mumma, and Misty—were his loyal companions, each having gifted him with a legacy of foals: Ash, Bogong, Archie, Grace, Faith, and Lucy Anne. And then there was Jinka, the orphan foal he took in after her mother’s tragic death from a snake bite. Paleface’s protective nature extended to her, caring for Jinka as if she were his own. His son Ash, bold and headstrong, would often challenge him, testing the boundaries of fatherly patience. But Paleface, with the gentle strength that defined him, would quickly remind Ash of his place, standing firm in his power and passing down the lessons of leadership.
In a moment that felt almost like destiny, Paleface appeared out of nowhere on the day the Brumby bill was passed in 2018, officially recognizing the Brumbies as heritage animals. John Barilaro, who had fought for this declaration, felt the full weight of Paleface’s presence, almost as if the stallion had come to offer his thanks. It was a rare, humbling moment, a fleeting connection between human and Brumby that seemed meant to be.
Then came early January 2020. The fires had been ravaging the mountains for some time, and there was a day where it felt as if night had taken over the day, surreal and haunting as the flames rose high into the sky. It was a day when hearts across the land felt the weight of what was unfolding in the mountains. The mountains were ablaze, and there was nothing that could be done except pray that our beautiful Brumbies, our wild souls, would somehow survive the devastation.
But as the fires raged on, there was this feeling that Paleface and his entire mob had perished. Ian and Michelle scoured the mountains, their hearts heavy, searching for any trace of the king. Days turned into weeks, but Paleface never returned. The fires had claimed him, along with countless others. The scale of the loss was unimaginable, not only the Brumbies but so many animals whose lives ended in the blaze. The mountains still bear the scars of those fires, charred landscapes and ash covered memories that stand as a testament to the devastation.
Paleface’s legacy endures, woven into the heart of Kosciuszko’s wilderness. Though he and his mob are gone, their spirits linger, a reminder of the beauty, resilience, and tragedy of the wild. The memory of those fires will forever be etched in the mountains, but so too will the memory of Paleface, the King of the Mountain, whose spirit will forever run free.