Community & Business
29 April, 2024
Heavy Horses return to Gatton
The 45th Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days will be held at the Gatton Showgrounds on the Labour Day weekend of the 4th and 5th of May this year.
Organising committee Vice President Ian Stewart-Koster said this year’s event has attracted record nominations from 125 horses, which is a great number.
Mr Stewart-Koster said the obstacle course has had over 50 entries and the Clydesdales over 40.
The ridden classes have also been popular.
Entries have been received from some of Queensland’s most highly regarded owners and breeders of heavy horses who will travel to Gatton.
Whilst the Field Days are mainly dedicated to the working of heavy horses, this in turn makes for the perfect show and spectacle for the general public to attend and to watch the skill of the heavy horses which played such an instrumental role in the making of Australia’s history.
The classes in the main ring will be complemented across the two days with an extensive programme of classes and demonstrations outside the main ring including farrier competitions.
This old age traditional skill is always of interest to many.
Off the back of a world cup winning performance in New Zealand, Mr Stewart-Koster said Bruce Donaldson and his crew of farriers will be participating.
Saturday will see demonstrations held and Sunday will include vaulting, which is essentially gymnastics on horse-back.
Carriage rides will also be popular amongst the crowd.
Entertainment across the weekend will again be provided by local Lockyer Valley performer Boyd Ridley who has garnered a following of fans with his easy listening performance style.
Food and coffee will be available on the grounds from a number of food vans and 40 market stalls will be on site to browse.
The Gatton Heavy Horse Field Day is the longest running heavy horse event in Australia having begun in 1978 on a property in Coolana, before moving to Marburg, then Laidley, and then to Gatton in 1992 at its current home on the Showgrounds.
Mr Stewart-Koster said he treasures the event, which he first attended in 1980 and has been involved with since the mid 1990s.
“We’re a positive committee of volunteers,” he said.
“Lots of families are involved who share the love of horses.”
Tickets can either be purchased beforehand online or at the gate.
For further information, visit either gattonheavyhorses.com.au or the ‘Gatton Heavy Horse Field Day’ Facebook page or email gattonheavyhorse@gmail.com
