THIS PUBLICATION PROUDLY SPONSORED BY THE SHIRES OF LUSCOMBE

SHIRE AND THE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THEM

Champion Shire at the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2004

Cedars Blossom—owned by Helene & Greggory Scarf

NEWS FROM KATHRYN

Hello to all Members,

Thank you for electing me to the position of Contact Person for The Australian Shire Breeders Association. I hope I can serve you, the members, the association and the Shire Horse in well.

Should anyone have any issues, suggestions or comments they wish to contribute, Please contact me and I will endeavour to distribute the information or it can be added to the agenda for our regular meeting.

As with many organisations much conversation happens after the meeting has closed……...and our last meeting was no exception.

Conversations arising from our last meeting came from the fact we were required to vote on a motion. This raised the question “Who do we regard as associate members, and what voting rights so they have, if any?” “What are our criteria for membership?” Food for thought!

My contact details are:

Kathryn McKay Champagne Shire Horse Stud 133 Albatross Rd Nowra NSW 2541 Ph 02 4421 5031 Mob. 0411 248 031 Email. [email protected]

Sydney Royal Easter show 2004 Results

Shire Colt or Filly, 2 years & under Best Shire

1st—Luscombe Joy—H Scarf Cedars Blossom—Helene Scarf

2nd—Ingleside Kaitlyn—K McKay & G Hosa Shire any age 3rd—Wyee Archer—M Creus 1st—Cedars Archibold—H Scarf 4th—Cedars Lady Poppett—H Scarf 2nd—Longcopy Garamont Regular—J Thompson Shire Colt or Filly, 3 years Shire Ridden Class 1st—Champange Charley—K McKay & G Hosa 1st— Ingleside Matilda—K McKay & G Hosa 2nd—Southern Cross Merabella Rose—P & M McKeon 2nd— Cedars Archibold—H Scarf 3rd— Longcopy Garamont Regular—J Thompson Shire Mare 4 years & over

1st –Cedars Blossom—H Scarf Best Shod Shire

2nd—Ingleside Matilda—K McKay & G Hosa 1st—Champange Charlie Farrier Kel Preistly—Nowra

3rd—Southern Cross Celestial Pearl—P & M McKeon 2nd—Ingleside Matilda Farrier Kel Preistly—Nowra

3rd Cedars Blossom – Owned H Scarf

Christmas Surprise

The Kuiper family received a nice Christmas present last year. A new little black colt foal was born just before midnight on 24th December. We called him Dancer after one of Santa's reindeers. His mother is three times Royal , Ingleside Elizabeth. His sire is Ingleside Might 'n’ Power.

He is a non-fading jet black and was born black, which is unusual. He's also unusual in that he has very little white and only a star on his forehead. We like to think that it is a Christmas star!

Dancer has gone to a very loving home in Tasmania. Debbie Buckland has bought him and he is already enjoying the sweet green grass of Tassie.

Below are a couple of photo’s of Dancer, the right one was taken on his first day in Tasmania.

Shire Horse Breeders Association Australia Meeting held 7th April 2004 at 5pm Pavilion H, RAS Showgrounds. Presidents Address • Sandra Schoobridge Opened the meeting and welcomed all. • Congratulations to all competitors for a wonderful display of shires • Continued thanks to Sue and Chris Bailey for their continued efforts producing the newsletter. • Thanks to Helene Scarf for the wonderful job she does as Publicity Officer. • Special thanks to Bill Lambert for maintaining and publishing the updated list of Shire horse owners/members and the studbook listing.

1 Present S Schoobridge, K McKay, G Hosa, H & K Kuiper, H Scarf, S Maher, S & C Bailey, B Hood, P & M McKeown, B & M Lambert, M Irvine, J Miles. Welcome to new members M & H Creus, G & T Collis, R & N Ferguson, J Greenman

Apologies Nil

Condolences Condolences to Bob Hood, we are sorry to hear of the sad loss of Cedars Terrence, who has left his stamp on the breed in this country

4 Trophy Presentations Best or Colt. No shown this year- trophy to continue to be held with Helene Scarf (2003 winner) till next year

Best mare Cedars Blossom – Helene Scarf Best Shod Shire 1st Champagne Charlie – Farrier Kel Priestley, Owner K Mckay & G Hosa 2nd Ingleside matildas - Farrier Kel Priestley, Owner K Mckay & G Hosa 3rd Cedars Blossom – Owned H Scarf Our thanks to the Judge – Master Farrier Peter Stafford from the Victorian Racing Committee

Confirmation of previous Minutes There are no minutes available at time of meeting

5.1 Business Arising Nil

6 of New Committee President/Secretary K McKay – Nominated by G Hosa Seconded by H Scarf There being no other nominations K McKay accepted position Newsletter Publisher/Editor Sue & Chris Bailey – Nominated by H Scarf Seconded by H Kuiper. There being no other nominations, Sue & Chris accepted position Publicity Officer H Scarf – Nominated by K Kuiper Seconded by G Hosa. There being no other nominations H Scarf accepted position

Nomination of Judges for the RAS ƒ P McKeon recommended a shire judge be used. ƒ M Irvine recommended Bill Lambert for 2005 Sydney Royal Show ƒ Much discussion followed regarding the question of whether a Judge can judge if he/she has an interest in any of the horses being presented to him/her ƒ The problem being that Bill Lambert has been a significant influences on the breed in Australia and has bred and sold many ƒ English Society rules are – that judges are to disclose if he/she has an interest in any horse that he or she is to judge and a secondary judge is called in. Do we have the numbers in horses and judges to do that here? ƒ Motion proposed by H Kuiper “that we follow English Rules regarding this ruling” Vote taken – 10 for 9 against. Motion carries. ƒ Information regarding the possibility of an overseas Judge being here at Easter in 2005 ƒ Overseas judge as well as B Lambert and M Irvine to be submitted to the RAS.

7.2 Farrier judge ƒ Master Farrier Association to be contacted re a judge for next year

New Business 8.1 Horse Importation ƒ Peter McKeown gave an overview on the process of importing a Shire horse from England ƒ After decision to purchase is made you contact the transport company in this case IRT. They look after quarantining in both country of origin and here. Vaccination attended. ƒ You are given an ETA in Australia and after a final vet check at the end of quarantine you can pick your horse up and take it home. ƒ Costs +/- $15,000US plus GST and insurance

8.2 Website ƒ H Scarf reminded every one of the Shire horse website- anyone can join the website to advertise their stud. Contact Andrew Gunter at Internet & Telecommunications Australia on 0414 224 338

8.3 Association Logo ƒ It was pointed out that our current logo was not an official logo. Rather it was an idea from a German Breeder a couple of years ago when she was organising a calendar. Did it really reflect Australia? ƒ P McKeown suggested a competition be run to design a new logo. Peter will supply a prize Entries to K McKay before next years Sydney Royal

8.4 Performance requirements ƒ What exactly are the performance requirements for shire horses to be accepted to the Sydney Royal? Do we need performance record or are we considered a minority breed and therefore are exempt K McKay to contact RAS for confirmation

8.5 Ridden class ƒ K McKay questioned if is may be possible to get some warm up time prior to ridden class: Meeting did not think RAS would consider this in their scheduling

Presidents close ƒ K McKay thanked all those who attended the meeting. It is pleasing to see our group growing and hoped to see more entries next year

Meeting closed at 5.55pm

Imported Shire mare Gronant Beachgirl and her foal recently born at Southern Cross Shires, owned by Peter and Marylou McKeown.

Funny Photo’s

Snelson Louise 142178 Sire:Trem-Y-Wyddfa Dylan Dam:Snelson Elizabeth Born: 4/4/1983

Snelson Louise a twenty two year old , imported Shire mare from England in fact one that came over on the first shipment of horses by sea in 1985 is seen here flirting with a Black Baldy cow number 456 who just couldn’t resist her. The interaction started with the cow licking Louise all over, giving owner Helene Scarf enough time to quickly run and grab her camera from the car before the inevitable happened. A mounting! ! The other horses in the paddock looked away in disgust as they saw their old matriarch acting very undignified. She seemed to be enjoying all that attention. Proves just how quiet the Shire breed of horses really are

A recent photo sent in by Donna Hammettt showing Luscombe Lady Grey (Misty) aged almost 2 and a half years enjoying a break in the sunshine with Victor.

Competition Design a Logo for The Australian Shire Horse Breeders Association

Prize donated by Peter and Marylou McKeown

Conditions of entry Open to all members and their families A maximum of 2 entries per member/family Entries close—mail received by 28th February 2005 Entries must be your own work Entries may be drawn or computer generated Entries will be judged by majority vote of the members of the Shire horses breeders association at the 2005 AGM Should entries have an even vote, peter McKeown shall have the deciding vote (providing it is not an entry of his or his families, if this occurs then ASBA contact person shall have deciding vote) Send entries to K McKay, 133 Albatross Road, Nowra, NSW 2541 Or email champangeshires@iprimus/.com.au

Remember keep it simple so it is not costly to reproduce.

Noddy Comes to Town

As a small girl, one of my biggest thrills was to visit the Royal Melbourne Show to see the ‘hairy footed’ horses. That led me to wagging school so I could hang around the stables at the Show hoping someone would invite me to lead the horses in the Grand Parade. Being a city girl, Show Week was the only time I could spend with these wonderful animals.

I guess it’s only natural that 30 years later I would eventually own one. However, I forgot to tell my husband, Roger. It took me 6 months, from ordering the foal to taking delivery, to pluck up the courage to admit my new addition. And believe me, it’s not easy hiding such a big foal! You see I am a good example of ‘Woman Behaving Badly’ - I already have two Dressage horses in work and I had promised that I would only run 2 horses at one time.

Our baby, ‘Nodram’ arrived after a 3 day journey from the Shires of Luscombe in Queensland. Never having seen a Shire before, as there were none in Victoria, I got the shock of my life to find my 6 month old foal was as big as a racehorse … but a gentle giant loved by all the family, especially Roger!

As a new member of the Shire ‘clan’ I’ve enjoyed meeting many like-minded souls, most recently at the Sydney Show this April. I plan on entering Nodram next year as a 2 year old. I’m so thankful to many of you for imparting your expertise and heading me in the right direction for things.

As a new ‘member’ I’ve been asked to say a few words about myself. I live in Melbourne and Roger and I have 2 sons, David (18 years) and Richard (17 years). While they go off to their respective places, work and Uni, I head 50km south-east of Melbourne to the farm to work my horses. I specialise in Dressage and have one senior FEI horse and a younger one coming up the ranks. I became an EFA judge (Equestrian Federation of Australia) a few years ago to give something back to my sport.

I’m looking forward to learning harness driving with Nodram and I plan on riding him as well. I tell my children that I plan on SKIING for the rest of my life – no that’s not in the mountains – that’s Spending your Kids Inheritance!!

Pictured below, Luscombe Nodram (14 months old) with Jane Greenman at Warragul Show 2004

Cedars Blossum Best Shire Exhibit

Out of Peplow Lady Christina (imp UK) B658 By Ladbrook Edward (imp.UK) 45987

Cedars Blossum was born on the 11th December 1994 at The Cedars Shire Horse Stud in Kangaroo Valley N.S.W. Her mother, Peplow Lady Christina, an imported Shire mare from UK died four days after Blossum was born. Her death remains a mystery as she was given anti-biotics along with oxytocin the morning of foaling which is standard practise at The Cedars. Both mare and foal seemed to be doing well and had lots of attention during those first few days. The foal was drinking and everything looked in order. It was a huge shock when Christina died four days later. Blossum was drinking from her dead mothers udder when they were found early in the morning. She must have died of a terrible gut ache during the night as she had dug a hole in the ground with her hind legs where she was found lying dead.

Peplow Lady Christina had travelled to Australia by sea towards the end of 1985 on the second ocean shipment of Shires, along with Peplow Princess (142136) and several others to join the other four previously imported Shires. Ladbrook Edward was flown in on Jumbo Jet in1981 and three fillies arrived on the first ocean shipment earlier that same year. The Shire breed had died out in Australia and there had been no imports since prior to the Second World War.

Peplow Princess went on to have Australia’s first registered Shire. Cedars Archibold (NB 91) foaled 23 January 1987. (Archie is Australia’s tallest horse at 19 hands)

The sad thing for Greg and Helene Scarf was that Princess died a few days before Christina in foal birth. So two excellent mares that were best friends who had grown up together on the same stud in England and had travelled that long journey by land from the centre of England and then an ocean voyage to Australia which took several long weeks left us in the very same week. After many tears and much anguish the problem at hand of keeping our orphaned foal alive became our next problem.

I had visited a wonderful lady by the name of Helen George who lives in Kangaroo Valley and is a prominent “Wires” (Wildlife and Information Rescue Service) instructor. She and her husband John have a beautiful property that is well fenced for their menagerie of healing wildlife and adopted animals. I phoned her in desperation to see if she was able to help. The foal needed five to six feeds a day and constant care. The Scarfs had to go back to Sydney during the week so this was impossible. Helen George had never reared an orphan foal from such a young age but said she was willing to have a go. She has had a background in agriculture and studied and attended many field days at Hawkesbury College. She was also a nursing sister in her previous life and has a very scientific approach to volumes for weight when hand rearing animals. This meant that we had to bring down the cattle scales along with Blossum, as everything had to be documented on a daily basis.

Blossum was fed Wombaroo milk that had been especially formulated for horses. She did so well on it that at one stage she was putting on one kilo per day. She was nibbling on grass in the first few weeks and slowly she was introduced to lucerne chaff and grain. The bio-chemist behind Wombaroo Milk is Brian Rich from South Australia. He has formulas for every kind of Australian marsupial and mammal worldwide. He has dedicated his life to saving endangered species and has formulated milks and foods for hundreds of birds and animals bred in captivity. Helen George reared the first bred in captivity in Australia and Peter the flying fox lived until he was twenty two-years old. Helen has hand raised possums, bandicoots, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, bats, many kinds of reptiles, Australian native birds, even leopard cubs and the list goes on and on.

Now that Blossum was doing well in the feeding department with regular visits from the Scarfs who couldn’t believe the difference in growth from week to week. The next thing was to teach Blossum how to behave like a horse and not a spoilt brat who was so for her bucket she’d trample anything in her path to get there. Helen George decided to borrow her neighbour’s horse. A twenty three-year-old part Arab, who had had twelve foals, her name was Jingasha (She is still alive and well at thirty-three) and she was a born mother. She immediately got to work on what she thought was her very own foal and taught Blossum how to behave like a horse. She also gave her all the love she needed and they became inseparable. They looked a funny sight as Blossum was catching up to her new mother in height very rapidly. The time went by very quickly and at the age of six months Greg and Helene wanted to bring Blossum home. Helen and John George had become very attached to her by then and had a sad but proud look in their eye when the big day came.

Naturally it was agreed to bring Jingasha home too, as we needed for Blossum to feel comfortable with her new surroundings before the separation of her adopted mother.

When we put them in the paddock there was a loud thunder of hooves as several Shires galloped towards them. A very brave and feroucious looking Jingasha stood her ground between the now enormous foal who towered over her and the inquisitive horse giants that had galloped over for a look. Jingasha had done a fine job and we all smiled at her bravery.

Blossum has lived at The Cedars ever since, she has had one foal Cedars Lady Poppett and has one on the way sired by Cedars Majestic. Blossum was the twenty sixth foal by Ladbrook Edward born at The Cedars where he sired over fifty five foals since his importation in 1981. Sadly Ladbrook Edward died on the 28 January 2000 but with Cedars Blossum winning Best Shire Exhibit at this years Royal Easter Show the Ladbrook Edward line lives on.

If anyone would like a copy of Ladbrook Edwards eulogy with a beautiful coloured picture of him to keep as a souvenir of Australia’s first imported stallion. Please send a stamped addressed envelope (size C5 to minimise folds) to Helene Scarf ‘The Cedars’ Bunkers Hill Road, Barrengarry, Kangaroo Valley. NSW 2577. Australia.

Helen George can be contacted on 61.2.44651328 for information on animal orphans. Brian Rich can be contacted on 61.8.83791339 for information on Wombaroo Food Products.

There is a photo of Blossom on the front cover of this issue

From the Editor:

To have any items included in this newsletter please send information to me at the below contact details.

Don’t forget the 2005 Royal Easter Show entries close in November. If you would like to compete you should phone and check you are on the mailing list.

Don’t forget to send in your foal photos for the next issue.

You can contact me at:

Sue Bailey 51 Shaws Pocket Rd Luscombe QLD 4207 Ph/Fax (07) 55 464 106 E-mail: [email protected]

Ted does it again

At the 2004 Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days, there was sadly only one Shire shown. There was to be 4, but circumstances prevented 3 of them from arriving.

This meant that Luscombe Whats Wanted—Ted– was the only one there.

After being awarded the Supreme Champion Shire he then went on to compete in the Supreme Champion All Breeds Led Exhibit. This is a class especially for the Champions of the 4 draught breeds present at the show.

As a matter of interest, this years field days attracted close to 190 heavy horses.

Ted was awarded the trophy of the Supreme Champion All Breeds Led Exhibit for the second consecutive year. He is the first Shire to win this trophy twice. Infact last year he was only the second Shire in 27 years ever to win it at all!.

This is a great honour for him.

On the Sunday it was time to have some fun and compete in the fancy dress class. There was many superb costumes. We decided to dress Ted as a Unicorn.

He did look very good, though did not win. The winning entry was a horse dressed as a milking cow. The other competitors were horses in costumes as a sheep, a hippy, a redback spider, cat in the hat and others. It is a fun event and gets lots of cheers from the crowd.

Luscombe Whats Wanted (top) after winning the All Breeds Supreme Led Exhibit at the 2004 Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days and pictured below in his Unicorn costume

Stallions at stud

The following Shire stallions have been advertised as standing at stud for the 2004/05 breeding season. If you are interested in using them please contact the owners direct as listed below. Also standing at stud, but no photo supplied is Wyee Archer—contact Mark Creus on 02 9653 2066

Cedars Charley Cedars Majestic Peter McKeon on 02 9144 6939 Helene Scarf on 02 9817 8065

Champagne Charlie Luscombe Whats Wanted Kathryn Mckay or Greg Hosa 02 4421 5031 Sue Bailey 07 55 464 106