Heavy Horse Nationals Are Back Again and This Year They're Supporting the RFS
In the 1800s and early 1900s, Shire horses were imported into Australia for both heavy hauling and agricultural work, but there were not enough of them to sustain the breed. By the mid-1920s they had died out.
Through the dedication of a number of Shire owners in Australia, the breed was reintroduced in the 1980s.
Heavy horses in action - photo by John Halpin of the Southern Highlands Photo Society (SHPS)
New breeding programs continued to pop up and the Shire has been growing in numbers ever since. Despite a wonderful resurgence of interest, the Shire is still very much a rare breed. In Australia, there are about 350 Shires, only 200 of which are breeding horses.
The Shire Horse Breeders Australia (SHBA) is dedicated to preserving and growing the number of Shires in Australia and is organising the 9th National Shire Show and Southern Highlands Heavy Horse Show this February at the Moss Vale Showgrounds. The show is an opportunity to continue to promote the Shire breed in Australia and other heavy horse breeds.
Champion Ridden Heavy Horse Cedars Amazing Grace and Phoebe Hudson - photo by Emily Thompson Photography
Last year's 2019 show was a stand-out, with over 50 heavy horses strutting their stuff in the rings. Over 350 people braved the chilling conditions to come and see these magnificent horses working, walking and even taking part in dressage. The public was also able to visit the stable areas and see the horses getting ready for their events.
This year we are shortening the show to one day, in recognition of current circumstances. However, the program is still full of the great events from last year and we will be encouraging the public to come down to the stabling yards and see these gentle giants up close and personal!
2019 Supreme Champion McMurchie Lucinda with Nathaniel Arthur Ellis - photo by Peter Wydmuch of SHPS
The president of the Shire Horse Breeders Association, Cai Thomas said, "We believe strongly in this show and we don’t want to let exhibitors, members or the public down. However, we can’t ignore the impact the fires and drought have had on the Southern Highlands and other communities. We know many of the exhibitors are currently hand-feeding their horses. A one-day show allows them to minimise the time away from their farms but still allows them to bring their horses to Moss Vale.”
The shortened program will still include standard led and ridden classes as well as dressage, harness and fun activities like the pumpkin snatch.
Southern Cross Hamish in the 2019 hay bale race with Carolyn and Amanda Blakeley - photo by Alan Edwards SHPS
The Concours d’Elegance will be held over lunch so, if you love gorgeous outfits, this is a must-see.
We also want to acknowledge the fantastic work of the RFS and volunteers, so we are donating all the gate takings to the RFS.
Show Details:
Date: 23 February 2020
Venue: Moss Vale Showgrounds
The program is available on the SHBA website at http://shirehorse.com.au/
For further information please contact Christine Ellis: 0435 963 260
Supplied by SHBA
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