horsemanship experiences
Our Story
“Gunben” is a horse and cattle property located near Bowning in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Situated a one hour drive from Canberra and 15 minutes from the township of Yass makes Gunben both accessible and yet discrete in its rural location.
Gunben is owned by Marina Maguire OAM and Ben Maguire AM. Along with their daughter Harriette they graze cattle, train horses for sport and pleasure, and deliver horsemanship experiences for leadership and team development, or simply as a retreat.
Gunben enjoys first class equine facilities, surrounded by unique and expansive gardens which enhance the relaxed and inspiring environment. Our guests stay in a well-equipped cottage with full facilities, or have the option to stay in the highly sought after “Horse Camp” huts with access to high quality showers and toilets, and million star accommodation.
Gunben is the home of Remount. Remount is a charity that runs horsemanship programs for veterans, first responders and their families. No one gets paid at Remount and no one pays to come. Remount provides transformational outcomes for customers who are suffering in some way from their service to our country. Gunben is a for profit enterprise offering similar products, designed to sustain Remount into the future. Corporate and private clients can pay for and experience a “Remount” style program.
All guests at Gunben enjoy the best country food and hospitality, utilising local and home grown produce of the best the Yass Valley has to offer. Our philosophy is to offer the best quality of dining options, horses, saddles, linen, experiences and tuition to our guests.
Gunben offers tailored programs including: Ladies Days, Psycho-Social Support, Team Building, Leadership, Corporate Retreats, Performance and Team Coaching, Family Farm Stay, Confidence Builder Programs, Art Retreats, ….
Remount
Significantly, Gunben plays hosts to “Remount”, founded by Ben and Marina in 2016. Remount is a not-for-profit that runs horsemanship programs for Veterans, current serving members of the Defence Force and First Responders who may be suffering PTSD or mental stress as a result of their service. No-one pays to attend Remount, and no-one is paid to deliver the service.
Veterans stay on the farm and learn the language of the horse, practice mustering skills and participate in leatherwork activities under tuition. Remount has a strong reputation nationally and hosts visitors from every state and territory of Australia.
Remount provides a “circuit-breaking” opportunity for people suffering PTSD, depression, isolation, or lack of self-esteem as a result of their service. These breakthroughs enable change in their lives that create positive pathways to follow that have long lasting effect.
Ben, Marina and Harriette are actively involved as volunteers in the administration, governance, marketing and operations of Remount.
Experiences
These unique and life changing experiences Remount offers to veterans and first responders are also available to corporate clients, private families and others looking for a unique learning environment based on the power of the horse.
Clients can choose between a regular two day program that has beginner riders building the skills and confidence to enable cattle mustering, or you may seek a bespoke program tailored to specific team needs that may include Campfire Coaching, Leatherwork Masterclasses, Team Building exercises – all based on the learnings of the horse.
All paying clients contribute to the sustainability of Remount through a percentage of booking fees being donated to the program. This ensures an ongoing seat in the saddle for someone who has given their life of service to attend at no cost. This social venture model, pays it forward and sustains Remount into the future without relying on Government funds. It should be noted Remount values some ongoing philanthropic and corporate support which underwrites part of the program.
“Gunben” enjoys first class equine facilities, surrounded by unique and expansive gardens which enhance the relaxed and inspiring environment. Our guests stay in a well-equipped cottage with full facilities, or have the option to stay in the highly sought after “Horse Camp” huts with access to high quality showers and toilets, and million star accommodation.
All guests enjoy the best country food and hospitality, utilising local and home grown produce of the best the Yass Valley has to offer. The Remount philosophy is to offer the best quality of dining options, horses, saddles, linen, experiences and tuition to our veterans who deserve nothing but the best. This benchmark will continue to influence our corporate clients experiences as they assist us in underwriting the veterans opportunity.
Our Mission
Identity
You’ll know you are at GUNBEN when you start to feel better about yourself.
Connection
You will make connections at GUNBEN for life. You will connect with your self in a way you only find in the country.
Lifestyle
Take the opportunity at GUNBEN to live your best life.
Learning
The class room at GUNBEN is centred around the campfire, not the board room. The teachers are our horses, and of course each other.
Supporting
The best way to learn is within a supportive environment. The best way to grow is to be supportive of others.
Leadership
At GUNBEN leaders emerge when horse and rider connect.
Experience the Southern Tablelands of NSW at GUNBEN
“Horse training is not about fixing the horse. It’s about fixing your leadership”
Linda Parelli
“Horsemanship is the art of mastering our own movements, thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Not the horses”
Mark Rashid
“A horse doesn’t care how much you know, until he knows how much you care”