Equestrian

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.

At just 15 years old, Ray Neville stunned the racing world with a Melbourne Cup victory. Now, nearly eight decades later, his hometown of Birchip is ensuring that remarkable moment in sporting history will be remembered, with work under way on a silo mural in his honour.

Clifton State High School student Ellie Stenzel from Greenmount is becoming quite a personality as a result of her love of all things equestrian. The young lady stepped onto a wider stage last year when she became part of the bid by Toowoomba to become an equestrian centre for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Gus van Hart. Two Moulamein sisters are set to pull on New South Wales colours at Barastoc 2026 after both landed surprise representative call-ups in different squads. Barastoc is an annual three-day interstate polocrosse carnival featuring representative state teams from across the country.

Allora Show Society is moving ahead with an attempt to become involved in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games after discussing the potential for a multi-function stables complex at the showgrounds. It is anticipated that the complex would cost around $1.5 million and would become a valuable asset at the showgrounds beyond the Olympics.

In the dusty yards of a local feedlot, on a horse twice her size, Mikaela Hurst effortlessly moves cattle under the unrelenting Australian summer sun. But beneath the wide-brimmed hat and even wider smile lies a specialised skill set that is rare.

Colleen Krestensen. With the repeal of the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 (NSW), the Australian Brumby Alliance and brumby rehoming organisations are deeply concerned that the NSW Government and NPWS will move to quickly slaughter the remaining brumbies by aerial culling or other lethal methods ... The ABA strongly believes that with the brumby population in Kosciuszko National Park now as low as 579 horses, and the perceived density problem addressed, there is time to review how the remaining horses are managed and to make animal welfare an imperative.

Graham Fischer. The victory of Omnia at Globe Derby Park ... justified owner Tara-Shae Linke's bold decision to pair her mare Consica with the American stallion Volstead...

Historic sale achieves $170K mare, equal Australian record $110K gelding, and exceeds $8 million for first time. The 51st Annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale has cemented its position as the world's premier Stock Horse sale, delivering a historic weekend that shattered records and exceeded $8 million in sales for the first time in the event's history.

Quill. Tuesday's mid-week meeting at Donald and District Race Club was one that reminded me of the perks of my job as the local race reporter; what a glorious day ... There was a buzz of excitement around the grounds with Harry Coffey's win total sitting at 997 prior to the first of his eight races on the day.

The Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria (HRCAV) staged its annual awards on 15 November in Melbourne, celebrating standout achievements from the 2024–25 competition season. Among the evening's major honours was the Level 2 Overall Champion Rider award, claimed by Narrandera Adult Riding president and founding member, NSW competitor Erin Anderson and her horse "Adventures of Grand Rock".

Country racing is absolutely vital to the entire racing industry, according to Michael Bailey, and events like the Hay Cup play a role that extends far beyond a single day's entertainment. Bailey, who has spent nearly 40 years working in country racing across multiple clubs, believes rural race meetings are essential to the fabric of regional communities and the future of thoroughbred racing in Australia.

On this week's No Drama Farmer, James fresh off the back of having the number 1 Country Album in Australia (ARIA Charts) we caught up with Owen Catto from the Regional Mens Health Initiative who gives us the 5 top tips for beating depression in the bush.

The Royal Geelong Show continues to offer a gold-standard horse program, presenting a traditional range of classes for every interest over the four-day event. As well as the popular saddle horse section, there are breed, heavy horse, harness and pony club events, plus a district category that makes sure everyone gets to compete and have fun at what is also the “local show” for the area.

Pamela Harrington's smile says it all as the Elders Mt. Wycheproof and District Cup Day unfolded in perfect weather last Saturday. Pamela's black and white ensemble showcased the traditional monochrome colours of Derby Day and later caught the judges' eyes during the Fashions on the Field.

Wycheproof could not have asked for more glorious weather than that which shone upon its Cup Day celebrations on Derby Day in the Country ... The racing surface was pristine! Some said it was the best they’d ever seen it, and rated a good 4, it raced well and looked about as lush as grass could look in the drier conditions of the season.

Sean Cunningham. It's been all hands on deck recently for the Grong Grong Horse Sports (GGHS) group as members throw their energy into reviving the town's old rodeo grounds and plan a busy calendar of events. The grounds are being rejuvenated thanks to the dedication and determination of a small, but passionate group of GGHS volunteers.

Austinn Lane. Maitland showjumper Maddison Wissell has maintained her strong form in the 2025 season, delivering standout performances on the national stage. She competed at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in Sydney at the end of September, placing third and fifth overall in the intermediate 90cm jumping class, riding two different horses. 

From the thunder of The Everest to the tradition of the Melbourne Cup, Thoroughbreds dominate headlines every spring. But beyond the racetrack lies a vast rural industry - one built on land, livestock, and the dedicated care of thousands of regional Australians and New Zealanders. This November, the public is being invited to see that world for themselves.

With the dust now settled on the Royal Adelaide Show for 2025, what stands out when taking a closer look at the winners is the amount of new talent that has progressed quickly to the top of the lineups.

You betcha! Joan Boardman Sinclair recently celebrated her 90th birthday milestone by saddling up and heading bush with packhorse in tow. The acknowledged 'Queen of the High Country', riding in her father's stock saddle, still believes the world is a much better place from the back of a horse.

The Polocrosse Association of South Australia wrapped up a successful week-long coaching clinic and carnival at the Yorke Peninsula Polocrosse Club grounds in Minlaton, culminating in a two-day event over the weekend, October 11-12 ... Fourteen riders took part, travelling from as far as Darwin, Naracoorte and Moorooduc on the other side of Melbourne.