International judges assess heavy horse breeds at annual festival
- Dale Webster
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
THE National Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Festival has once again shaken the earth at Werribee as the world’s much-loved working breeds were shown off in hand, under saddle and in harness.
Organisers this year welcomed Canadian judges Ray and Amber McLaughlin to officiate, with Amber judging the led Clydesdales/Shires and Ray the harness with Peter Strafford. Brian Scholes took on the tricky job of assessing the conformation of Friesians, Drum Horses, Gypsy Cobs, Fjords, Haflingers and part-breds.
In the led Clydesdales and Shire section, Andrew Marriott made a clean sweep of the Clydesdale championships with his filly Aarunga Goddess named supreme.
Champion led Shire was Team Southern Cross’ Southern Cross Hamish and the champion part-bred Clydesdale was Jo Parke’s Tap Wicht Toby.
Heather Bowers’ Jimmy Boy was named champion open part-bred.
In the other breeds, the supreme champions were Abigail Sendy’s Montgomery (Drum Horse), Lesley Brown’s Douvanney Gibson Macshof (Friesian), Lee Scown’s Marindy Take A Piece Of My Heart (Gypsy Cob), Chari-lee Zanker’s Te Klein Petra (Fjord) and Kate Wingad’s Manuka Ridge Moira (Haflinger).
Lesley Brown's Friesian Douvanney Gibson Macshof was the grand champion led exhibit of the show.
Clydesdale preparation for the show ring is an artform in itself and this year’s award for best presented went to teenager Lily Taylor who turned Narioka Carlyle out to perfection.
Rachael Porter, showing Aarunga May, was named the best novice Clydesdale exhibitor and the under 12 winner of the junior handler class Madeleine Von De Zam also took out the championship.
In the harness turnout section, the champion single horse tradesman traditional turnout was Scott and Maryanne Finemore with Dianna.
Andrew Marriott with his team of four Aurunga horses (Vain, Rio, The Duke and Flash Alik) was the multiple champion.
Julie Barber and Aarunga Spot On won the non-traditional turnout championship.
Lynette Fritsch driving Lowan Vale Lady Anne had a successful show in the driving and delivery classes, winning champion single delivery horse in a traditional vehicle.
She was also named best lady driver in any vehicle and at the end of the day was selected by Ray McLaughlin as his winner of the Ron King Perpetual Trophy for the best performed harness exhibit.
Winner of the multiple delivery horses in a traditional vehicle class – Andrew Marriott this time with Aurunga Vain, Rio, The Duke and Destiny making up the team – won the Lloyd Cameron Perpetual Trophy for the traditional vehicle supreme champion.
Claire Harris and Murroka Miriam Two were the champions for single delivery horse in a non-traditional vehicle.
The best gentleman driver was Scott Finemore (Spencer) and Jill Denske won the novice driver class.
The working draught section is where competitors really get to have some fun, with classes reflecting the role heavy horses once played in farming and the skills and temperament required of both handler and horse to do their jobs well.
Under judge Amanda Taylor, the long reining driving classes went to Chari-lee Zanker and Te Klein Petra (novice and lady driver), Lyle Drayton and Dolly (gentleman driver) and Amy Scott and Murroka Bethany (junior driver).
Scott Wells and Tommy won the classes for log snig and pulling an implement. They also won the long reining championship.
One of the most versatile combinations for the show was Scott’s wife, Vanessa, and her black, 16hh-plus Clydesdale Larvistryn Hunter.
After a win in the smartest on parade, the pair got down to business to take out the classes for pulling a log obstacle, open sled obstacle and ridden handy mount through an obstacle course (bareback in winkers, collar and hames).
They also went reserve champion in the long reining making it a family affair.
Abigail Pickill and Chilli won the Concourse d’Elegance, while Sara Leitch was champion rider and also won the fancy dress.
The highpoint winner for the working draught section was Chari-lee Zanker.
GALLERY
(Click any image to expand)
All images Kathryn Potempski
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