Last weekend Toowoomba hosted the Australian National Morgan Horse Show and after seeing a fascinating article in the Toowoomba Chronicle, I decided to have a look for myself.
Painting by Willa Frayser www.willafrayserstudio.com of Black Morgan stallion “Kick”owned by Baywind Morgans USA
Mt Tawonga Oscar a purebred Morgan gelding owned by Kathy and Greg Lyons patiently putting up with photographs before his long reining dressage class.
Photograph by Chris Maroni of Chris Maroni Photography www.chrismaroniphotography.com.au
The Morgan horse is a rare breed in Australia with around only about 230 purebreds and 470 partbreds in the country.
On the Friday evening I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Fun with your Morgan’ class. There was an incredible Roman riding display, a circus act with a horse jumping through a large ring, balancing on a pedestal and playing ball. A dressage test with the horse being ridden with just a strap around his neck among several other equally impressive feats.
Something I had never seen before was the Long-Reining Dressage test on the Sunday afternoon and I commend all who entered.
I donated a copy of Tails Carried High, Voices in the Wind and Danika and Yatimah from Egypt to the Outback for the clubs ‘silent auction’ and was thrilled to see how well they were received. The Morgan breeders didn’t seem to mind that the horses in the stories were Arabians.
Moonbah Ridge Memories partbred Morgan mare owned by Stacey Smith won a swag of ribbons at the show. If you like her you can buy her!!
Email; travelling.horseman@bigpond.com for details.
Find out more about the Morgan breed in Australia by visiting the Morgan Horse club website : www.morganhorse.com.au
6 Responses
Rhonda Menzies
Hi Carmel, thought I best make an afternoon coffee and check out this blog.
Very good piece on the Morgan Show and good photo op. Moonbah Ridge Memories is trained and campaigned by a young woman called Amy Zeller, who has been riding from young and does a very nice job with her horses.
I like the work by Willa, they have a very ethereal quality.
Have a good Easter.
Kathy Lyons
Loved your story on your first encounter with Morgans … and the wonderful breed of human that seems to gravitate towards them
Diane Howard
Hi Carmel, you know what they say about morgan horses…. well, they say alot… but once you’ve caught the morgan bug, they are like potatoe chips – you can’t stop at one! 🙂
Lovely article Carmel, there were a few “first timers” at the show, and seems your observations are shared by all.
It was a fun show – the comaraderie between competitors is another characteristic that seems to impress the first time morgan debutant. 🙂
Carmel
Rhonda, Kathy, Diane, I don’t think I will ever forget the ‘have fun with your Morgan’ class at your show. I was so impressed not only with the horses but the people and the competitors they were all friendly and smiling!!!
Thank you for your comments.
Tanya Farris
I can remember the painting of Kicker – Baywind High Tide from my childhood. Even clearer still I can remember his presence in the ring. Kicker was the sire to two of my own Morgans, Baywind Ebony Tide and his elder sister Sable Lady Paz. Kicker was a natural show horse, little but mighty all all “Look at me!” The Pastrana’s and Sonya Wood did a beautiful job breeding him and exhibiting him to his potential. Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories!
Carmel
Tanya so happy to bring back wonderful memories for you. I really enjoyed the Morgan Show, lovely people and fabulous horses.