A spur of the moment decision saw Erin and Bronson’s soft serve stop go viral. Photo: Facebook.
In case you missed it, a Capital region stallion caused quite a stir on social media with a stunt that has gone viral around the world.
It was another day in paradise in Googong (south of Queanbeyan) when Erin Beattie decided to take her stallion Waylon J Bronson for a ride.
She had recently been talking with friends about how she used to be served when she rode her horses through the McDonald’s drive-thru in Cooma 25 years ago.
During her ride, Erin wondered if the recently opened fast food restaurant in Googong would do the same.
The rest, as they say, is history:
@eightythreeequine
“It was a last-minute decision to even film myself riding through, just because I wanted to show how quiet [Bronson] is as a stallion,” Erin told Region.
“For something that I did for shits and giggles, it’s crazy.”
The story caused a stir again when the pair appeared on Seven’s Weekend Sunrise show.
The hosts (and the following social media post, which has since been changed) accidentally referred to “Googong” as “Gulgong”, creating plenty of passionate responses from residents of both towns.
“People in Gulgong were confused about where their Maccas was, while Googong people were annoyed because we’re not Gulgong,” Erin said.
You may remember Googong had a shoutout in 2020 during a press conference with former prime minister Scott Morrison.
Both he and the accompanying media outlets were asked to get off a man’s grass because “I’ve just re-seeded my lawn”.
Locals have taken the latest mix-up in their stride, joking the town’s entry sign needs to be updated.
Someone has taken some online liberties with the sign that marks Googong’s entry off the back of Erin and Bronson’s fame. Photo: Facebook.
As for Bronson, this may not be the last time the handsome stallion will be taken on an unconventional ride.
“There are some irons in the fire; we are planning some visits elsewhere,” Erin promised.
She won’t give anything away but, given she’s received some messages from people thinking the pair have been spotted in overseas countries such as Canada, she’s confirmed they’ll be staying in Australia.
“It’s definitely going to be local.”
The Queanbeyan local (who keeps her horses at Fernleigh Park in Royalla) wasn’t planning on becoming a social media sensation, but said she’d ride the wave while she could.
“If people see it and enjoy it, then they can see it and enjoy it … people like to see this stuff rather than violence and hate,” Erin said.
“I didn’t do this on purpose or for the views … it’s all fun and games really.”
As for Bronson, he’s enjoying the fame and has been working hard on producing some … product … for people’s gardens.
He’s also available for sire if anyone’s interested.
In the meantime, those in Canberra and surrounding areas should keep their eyes peeled.
And hopefully no other towns will be renamed in the process.
Check out more of Bronson’s adventures at EightyThree Equine.
