Ross toured a one man multi-media show called 'Sing The One About the Horse' - though it was more of a piss-take than a celebration; and admittedly he did have a hand in the legendary 'Jake The Pegasus' mashup - a track keenly sought by many Rolf Harris collectors.

And sometimes something like the NASA - Pegasi story comes along and resistance is useless.

But really, Coathanger has had no vested financial interest in the Horse thing. EMI had all that tied up. So instead we put our efforts into forging new associations.

However with the imminent CD release of the 'My Name Means Horse' album (see: 'Horse' album set for release), such reticence is now behind us. You want horses? Welcome to Coathanger!

The process began last year with Ross's involvement in the play 'Chasing Pegasus'. Although Ross had a negligible, low-key role in the production, it achieved for us an early softening up of the press.

It was not until the 2006 Equestrian Federation of Australia NSW Awards in February that we officially launched our 'Ross is Still a Horse' campaign.

Due to a sudden family commitment, the TV sports guy who usually hosts this prestigious and yearly event was forced to cancel - mere days before the scheduled awards evening.

Unfortunately, all the considered replacements - either associated with the sport of equestrianism or with at least some MC experience - were unavailable or up for an award.

By now, during the grasping at straws stage of the emergency EFA meeting, we can only assume that someone made the desperate quantum Ross Ryan - Horse connection. They were out of time. It was either him or an empty lectern.

Thus on the night, by way of introduction and as a prelude to the evening's gala celebrations, Ross convincingly argued that although he had zero knowledge of the gathered throng's sport or their association, he was still a highly qualified and appropriate horse-person.

He stated that over the course of his life he had owned (if not ridden) two horses; knew girls who liked horses; had once been greeted at Woomera Airport by a guard of honour from the local pony club and had in recent years, held and comforted a horse being given an injection.

Lastly - because 'Ross' actually does mean 'horse' and because he'd written a song that said as much - he had probably done more for the word 'horse' than any other Australian entertainer of the semi-modern era.

From there, by all accounts, he faked the rest of the evening.

Many thanks to CEO Wendy Cohen for her grace and patience on the night and to the EFA for their support and generosity.