MATT CHARLES
Matt first found a love for horses while working on a cattle property in North Queensland’s ‘Buckingham Downs', that was just under 1 million acres, after Jackerooing for 9 months.
Matt saw how useful the horse was and its potential to do various tasks. While reading a magazine, he noticed Warren Backhouse on CD Rom doing a Reining pattern and a spark was ignited.
After leaving the station Matt worked with various people and horses including ‘Mulawa Arabian Stud'. During this time Matt had purchased a horse from Bru-Dell Arabian stud and decided to go Reining.
Matt's passion for Reining was clear and it wasn't long before he was sent to Rob Lawson, to introduce him to reining.
From there, Matt relocated to ‘Richard Webb Cutting Horses’ for another year in which he broke horses to saddle and went to shows around NSW. After that year, Matt kept in contact with Rob and he was asked if he wanted to work from ‘Lawson Performance Horses’.
Matt accepted the offer and ‘Sliding Lodge Performance Horses’ was started. More than 15 years later, Matt has a long list of achievements combined with an abundance of knowledge after completing multiple stints in the USA working as an assistant for some of the very best in the Reining world. Matt spent time with Joe Schmidt and more recently with $7 million dollar rider Shawn Flarida.
Matt has continued to make his mark in the Reining pen in Australia with a long list of achievements to his name. Matt's most recent achievements include:
NSWRHA 2023 State Open Champion - Revolution Reddy
NRHA Slide to $60k Open 2023 3rd Place - Revolution Reddy
GVRHA 2024 Open Champion - Revolution Reddy
NRHA Oceania 2024 Open Champion - Revolution Reddy
Equitana 2024 Open 3rd Place - Revolution Reddy
VRHA Novice Horse Level 3 2025 Champion - Gambling on Starlight
VRHA Open 2025 Champion - Gambling on Starlight
Sliding Lodge Performance Horses
is proudly sponsored by:
Resistol Australia
Since 1927, Resistol has been hand crafting western hats in America. From the passionate hatters that started the company to the hardworking team working daily to produce the best quality hat a cowboy can wear, the folks at Resistol live and love the western way of life.
Living Horses
At living horses, Monika offers logo and graphic design services as well as creating hand made horse hair jewelry, bracelets, gifts and other keep sakes. Monika has a passion for horses and design and Living Horses has allowed her to combine the two!
Amaroo Equine
Amaroo is a space for people to have authentic connections with horses, nature, themselves and others. Amaroo Equine provide Equine Assisted Learning and draw on evidence based research to connect with the wisdom of horses.
Stitch Em On Embroidery
Stitch Em On can help with all club merchandise, team uniforms, prizes and event and business promotional gear. Tash's equine focused products and carefully selected to stand out and keep you looking your best both in and out of the saddle.
Equidae Botanicals
Equidae Botanicals curate horse care products with natural ingredients and provide all the horse supplements and skin and hair care products your horse should ever need, in one convenient location!
Fly n High Horse Wear
Fly n High provide one of a kind horse products to see you standing out both in and out of the show pen. With an endless list of products including but not limited to custom show shirts, custom saddle pads and custom gear bags of all kinds, Fly n High Horse Wear is your one stop horse shop!