We see them every year; the friendly, happy, patient people who bring with them the adorable menagerie of cute and cuddly animals.

Year after year, they travel over to the Hay Show, so the community’s children can enjoy animals they might not always get to see and pat up close.

Behind this beloved annual tradition are Tony and Judy O’Brien, the heart and soul of Old Kentucky Animal Farm.

Just six kilometres from the charming village of Uranquinty, where the sealed road winds through rolling countryside towards The Rock Hill, sits the home base of this special operation that has been capturing hearts and creating memories for more than two decades.

Old Kentucky Animal Farm, with its spectacular panoramic views and menagerie of gentle creatures, represents something increasingly rare in our fast-paced world; a genuine connection between humans and animals that spans generations.

Tony O’Brien, the farm’s owner and driving force, speaks with the quiet confidence of someone who has dedicated his life to understanding animals.

For 24 years, he and his wife Judy have built something remarkable from their base between Wagga Wagga and Goulburn, creating mobile animal experiences that have travelled to virtually every corner of New South Wales.

“We probably have about 250 animals all up that we can utilise for the animal farm,” Tony explained.

“We’ve got a lot of little babies as well, but it’s the breeding program that really makes the difference.”

What sets Old Kentucky Animal Farm apart isn’t just the impressive variety of creatures in their care, but the thoughtful approach Tony and Judy have taken to breeding and raising them. Every animal on the farm has been selected not just for their appeal, but for their temperament; a philosophy that has taken years to perfect.

“All our animals are parent-reared, but regularly handled from a young age so they’re accustomed to, and enjoy human interaction,” he said.

“We’ve kept all the quiet mums and all the quiet dads for breeding. If they’re a bit fizzy, they wouldn’t be any good for the animal farm, so we have to keep everything that’s got a really good mind.”

This careful selection process has created a remarkable collection of animals that are not only beautiful to look at but genuinely enjoy human company.

From the gregarious goats that greet visitors at the farm gate to Muriel the Scottish Highland cow, Maisie the Murray Grey, and Nadia the diminutive Zebu, each animal has been chosen for their gentle nature and ability to interact safely with people of all ages.

The farm specialises in miniature breeds, a decision that makes perfect sense when you consider their mobile nature and the diverse audiences they serve.

“Everything we have is mainly miniature; miniature sheep, cattle and stuff like that,” Tony said.

“We try to keep everything very small. We don’t have anything that’s really big. It’s mainly in the miniature line, and that’s why it’s so popular because people aren’t frightened of them.”

Among the stars of the show are the Chilean alpacas, particularly Coco, a brown beauty who has carved out her own niche in the wedding industry.

“She does weddings and stuff like that,” Tony said with obvious pride.

“Sometimes when they’re cutting the cake, we take her and put her in between the bride and the groom and bridesmaids, and she’ll stand there while they cut the cake. It’s mainly all photos and stuff like that that they love to get.”

It’s a concept that might have seemed unusual a generation ago.

“When I was young, you probably would never have heard of an animal being in a wedding party. It’s just a change of the times, I guess, and people like it.”

The farm is also home to the Hoppers, the all-star rabbit jumping team, as well as llamas, lambs, chickens including miniature silkies, guinea pigs, baby ducks, and rabbits.

The variety ensures there’s something to captivate every visitor, whether they’re toddlers taking their first tentative steps towards a fluffy duckling or teenagers discovering they’re braver than they thought when faced with a gentle alpaca.

Old Kentucky Animal Farm offers far more than traditional farm experiences. Their services span an impressive range, from intimate birthday parties to large corporate events, aged care visits to school programs, shopping mall appearances to community fundraisers. Each event is tailored to the audience and setting, with Tony and Judy bringing their expertise and genuine care to every interaction.

“Most people are very good because it’s like an animal experience for them,” Tony observes. “They are a bit tentative sometimes at the start until they realise how quiet the animals are, but we don’t have problems.”

The farm’s flexibility and professionalism have made them a sought-after addition to events across the state.

Whether it’s bringing joy to residents of aged care facilities, adding magic to a child’s birthday party, or providing a unique drawcard for community events, Old Kentucky Animal Farm has built a reputation for reliability and genuine care.

The success of Old Kentucky Animal Farm isn’t just down to Tony and Judy’s hard work, it’s becoming a family legacy. Their two granddaughters, aged four and twelve, are already showing keen interest in the family business.

“The four-year-old learns a lot when she sees me doing things with the animals, like leading and grooming them,” Tony explained.

“I like them to show interest because I like them to remember the things that I tell them.”

“They’re very good at it. I could let them take over different times if I really needed to, because they’ve been with me a lot of times when I do things.”

This generational knowledge transfer ensures that the farm’s philosophy of gentle animal care and genuine human connection will continue into the future.

It’s particularly valuable given Tony’s background.

Before establishing the animal farm, he spent about 20 years training racehorses, developing skills in animal behaviour and training that now benefit every creature in his care.

Operating a mobile animal farm means life is rarely predictable. Tony and Judy spend their spring and summer months constantly on the move, travelling throughout New South Wales with their specially designed transport and equipment.

They’ve been as far west as Bourke, covering what Tony estimates as ‘nearly the majority of New South Wales.’

“Our busiest time is once spring starts; we’re very busy at all times and mainly going all the time,” he explains. Despite the demanding schedule, there are events that stand out as particular favourites.

“I like the Murrumbateman Field Day because even though we’re very busy all the time, I get time to get around and have a look at all the different machinery and stuff like that. It’s not overly big, even though we do the Henty Field Days as well, it’s a lot bigger and takes a lot longer to get around.”

The constant travel and interaction with diverse communities across NSW has given Tony and Judy a unique perspective on rural Australia and the role that animal experiences play in bringing communities together. Whether it’s a small country show or a major agricultural event, they’ve seen firsthand how animals can bridge generational gaps and create shared moments of wonder and connection.

What becomes clear when talking to Tony is that Old Kentucky Animal Farm is about much more than just animals, it’s about creating positive experiences and lasting memories.

The careful attention to animal welfare, the focus on safe interactions, and the genuine care for their audience all contribute to experiences that often exceed expectations.

The farm’s commitment to animal welfare is evident in their DPI licensing and full insurance coverage, but it goes well beyond regulatory requirements.

“We have all small stuff that people aren’t frightened of,” Tony notes, but the real key is the time and effort invested in ensuring every animal is genuinely comfortable with human interaction.

For many children, a visit from Old Kentucky Animal Farm represents their first close encounter with farm animals. For others, it rekindles childhood memories or creates opportunities for multi-generational sharing. The therapeutic value of animal interaction is well documented, and Tony and Judy have witnessed countless moments where their gentle creatures have brought comfort, joy, or simply a moment of peaceful connection to someone who needed it.

As Old Kentucky Animal Farm enters its third decade of operation, Tony and Judy show no signs of slowing down. Their passion for their animals and their commitment to providing quality experiences remains as strong as ever.

The involvement of their granddaughters suggests that this labour of love will continue to evolve and grow, perhaps finding new ways to connect people with animals in an increasingly urbanised world.

The farm’s success lies not in any single element but in the combination of factors that Tony and Judy have carefully cultivated over the years; healthy, well-socialised animals; genuine expertise in animal behaviour; flexibility in meeting different client needs; and perhaps most importantly, a sincere love for what they do.

Whether greeting visitors at their home base near Uranquinty, with its beautiful views of The Rock Hill and opportunities for picnics under shady trees, or setting up their mobile animal experience hundreds of kilometres away, Tony and Judy bring the same commitment to excellence and genuine care for both their animals and their human visitors.

As another show season approaches, Old Kentucky Animal Farm continues to be a beacon of joy and connection in the rural calendar.

You’ll find them at events throughout NSW, including the upcoming Hay Show, where they’ll once again bring their special brand of magic to delighted audiences of all ages.

Make sure you stop and say hi to Tony and his animals at the Hay Show this weekend.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 10 September 2025.