Current News

Ritzy Morn, by the legendary AQHA Hall Of Fame inducted Morn Deck and from Coin Collection was shown to perfection by Sue Williams at Q10 AQHA World Show Downunder to be namedas the National Champion Mare 4 Years & Over. Ritzy Morn, owned by Kylie R. Melrose was thenshown by Kevin Gorrie to earn the AmQHA Champion Mare 4 Years & Over title and placed 4th in the Hunter In Hand.

Western Horse Photographer & Journalist Kylie R. Melrose

I have always had a lifelong interest in horses and a love for photography and when I saw a photograph by David R. Stoecklein on the front cover of the December, 1991 edition of the Western Horseman Magazine and read the feature article on Stoecklein's photography adventures with horses I knew that I wanted to combine my two passions. One problem I knew horses but I didn't know photography so I decided to go to Art school the following year.
I spent the next few years in between art school, working and graduating with a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts in 1997.
The same that I graduated from art school saw my photographs appear in the August edition of 'Rodeo in Australia Magazine' which featured one of my first rodeo photographs on the front cover. That was incredibly exciting and something that I thought would come further down the track.

Over the years my articles and photographs have graced the pages of many prestigious equine magazines and yearbooks including, Hoofbeats Magazine, Rodeo in Australia Magazine, Australian Quarter Horse News, Australian Quarter Horse & Western Breeds Magazine, just to name the tip. Over the years I have interviewed and photographed some of Australia's and America's world champion and up and coming cowboys and cowgirls. I have been given the luxury of photographing some of the finest horses in this country. I adore covering shows, everything is just so instant, unexpected, and glamorous, from the prestigious Australian Quarter Horse National Championship Show, National Cutting Horse Association Futurity, National Finals and Gold Cup, National Rodeo Finals and the CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, to the weekend shows.

As a photographer I have met, photographed and interviewed a great deal of people in our industry. People who have dedicated their lives to protecting a tradition of horse breeding and showmanship. I have learned something from each and everyone of them. Without a doubt, the experience has enriched my life and I am looking forward to continue as a western horse photographer and journalist for a long time to come.

My Quarter Horses

My admiration for the Quarter Horse began when I was introduced to my mother's cousin, Brian Usher of Santa Rio Quarter Horse Stud, the home of Morn Deck and Traditional Roc. At the time I was showing an Arabian/Quarter Horse mare called Vanguard Tia a granddaughter of the world famous Arabian stallion Ralvon Pilgrim, in halter classes. Brian had suggested to me to sell the Arabian and buy a Quarter Horse from him. Though I didn't sell Tia, I did take Brian up on his suggestion and purchased a stunning grey mare ten years later called Blue Berry Morn (Morn Deck x Miss Roc 84). Early in 1999 Brian helped me choose a stunning weanling gelding from the season's foal crop which was no easy feat as the quality was overwhelming. My palomino Barbie Doll Cheyenne (named after the rodeo) was registered Rocs Wrangler (Morn Deck x Traditional Maggie).
It was Brian who has taught me so much about Quarter Horse bloodlines and to always buy quality and not quantity.
In late 2001 Mathea Usher sent me over an exceptional chestnut yearling filly Ritzy Morn (Lilly) (Morn Deck x Coin Collection) to show in halter classes. I purchased Lilly on the day that Tia had passed away on the 15th of November, 2002. I sent Lilly to be broken in and worked on cattle in 2003/4. After only one month of working her at halter, Lilly placed 6th out of a field of ten halter horses at Q5 in the Open Mare 4 Years & Over and placed 4th in the same class at Q6 after only one week in work.

I look forward to starting "Blue Berry Boutique" Quarter Horse Stud within the next few years with a selection of exceptional quality cutting/performance bred mares who will be selectively crossed with some of the most exquisite imported and American halter and performance horse sires to produce horses that will exhibit in halter and show under saddle in western performance classes.

My Salukis

I purchased an older pup from Baghdad Salukis named Angel at the end of 2004 and was given Jersey (Catonam Jazelle) from Catonam Salukis as a Christmas present in 2004.
My first show with Jersey was a real eye opener. The weekend show consisted of 500 dogs, three interstate judges, three show rings, marquees around each ring. Jersey came home with the blue ribbon for her class.
As a young girl in 1990 I was given Jersey's great aunt Catonam Wadi Kassita (Tessa) a stunning cream girl and then came Yamamat Nazeem my families second Saluki in 1993. My Saluki's have been such a gift to me over the years, they are so beautiful, smart, adventures and unique.