THIS PUBLICATION PROUDLY SPONSORED BY THE SHIRES OF LUSCOMBE

SHIRE HORSES AND THE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THEM

JANUARY 2004

GRONANT BEACHGIRL

GRONANT BEACHGIRL

Both Marylou and myself are dedicated to the Shire Breed and have made several trips to the UK to meet with Shire Breeders and look at their horses. This convinced us that Australian Shires needed new genetics to underpin the quality that we were seeking from Shires.

Philip Moss, a Shire Breeder that we had visited on a number of occasions was the catalyst for our decision to import a quality mare.

Philip, who judged at the 2003 Royal Sydney Show expressed his view at a seminar that some Australian Shire Breeders had addressed the question of breeding quality Shires by using semen from premium quality UK based Shire Stallions eg Trelow Father Abraham, Walton Supreme and Nottage Trump Card. He now felt it was necessary to address the question of the quality of females in Australia.

Mr Moss’ thoughts and comments after seeing Shires in Australia were similar views to ours. It was apparent to both Marylou and myself that since the original importation of 13 mares to Australia from the UK in the mid 80’s and a single mare (in foal) from New Zealand in the mid 90’s that there had been no fresh female genetics available to us.

Hence, our decision to import a high quality mare that will set us on the path of quality breeding.

The main qualities that we are looking for are feet, legs and feather which are the critical points of Shire horses. Gronant Beachgirl is very strong in these areas and when she is joined to the frozen semen that we have been using here in Australia should produce better quality Shires for us to use in breeding and for harness.

Beachgirl’s extended pedigree is exceptionally strong on both Sire and Dam sides. There are many Peterborough champions scattered in her forbears.

Beachgirl, a beautiful bay, has settled into her new home at Warragul in Victoria and greatly impresses all that have seen her including our farrier who commented that she had the perfect feet for a heavy horse.

Article by Peter and Mayrlou McKeon owners of Gronant Beachgirl. Photo’s of Beachgirl were taken while she was in England.

SHIRE HORSES IN VICTORIA

After having no registered Shires in Victoria since the early 1900’s the number of Shires there is steadily growing. Firstly Lisa Beechy took the breed to that state by purchasing a couple of Shires, most recently Trelow Father Abraham, the imported English Stallion. Photographed below shortly after arriving in Australia.

Then followed Jane Greenman with the purchase of Luscombe Nodram in 2003, shown here on his first birthday.

The most recent arrivals to Victoria are Gronant Beachgirl and her soon to be born foal, along with the shire stallion Cedars Charlie. They have made Southern Cross Shires their new home and will join the Shires already owned by Peter and Marylou McKeon. Beachgirl photographed below in England.

As the numbers of Shire horses in Victoria is increasing I thought this might be the opportune time to investigate how great the Shire was in times gone by in that state. After an extensive search of the old Draught Horse Stud Books it rapidly became obvious there were some fantastic bloodlines imported into Australia. There are too many to mention here so the easiest way was to list the names of some of the imported horses along with their sire who appears in brackets. Some of them were purchased to use to cover Clydesdales or by people who wanted the Shire to improve their draught horses. The number and name of those with a purebred Shire sire or dam is to numerous to even mention here. Though looking at their pedigree it is no doubt some would be sought after today.

The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia represented the Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron, Suffolk Punch and Australian Draught horses until the individual breeds decided to commence their own stud books. This occurred from about 1920. There was an Australian Shire Horse Society in the early 1980’s though this proved never to go anywhere. Horses listed in it were descendants from mixed breeding and virtually unproven, or reputed to be of purebred shire descent. Still there are many interesting tales to tell and I am sure we could fill pages of this newsletter with them. So take some time to read the following as a factual account kept by the RAS of Victoria in the early part of the 1900’s. The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volume 1, lists the number of shires on its books as 9 horses. It is very sad to think that the horse which represented the first heavy horse to be introduced into Australia went from being the most numerously imported horses to virtual extinction in Australia, to now slowly regaining its numbers and totaling about 80 registered horses. What is sadder still is the number of Shires imported into Australia in the last Centaury was almost as many as we have here today – 1911 – 63 horses imported, 1912, 60 horses imported, 1913 to 1924 – 68 horses were imported. Two of the horses listed in this volume include: Young Thumper (sire Thumper 2117), Titch (sire Tatton Friar 21953). The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volumes 1 to V lists a large number of mares and stallions showing both Shire and Clydesdale bloodlines. These horses went on to become Australian Draught Horses, but in the majority of cases went on to be foundation stock for the Clydesdales of Australia. In the early days the Clydesdale Stud Book was ‘open”. Today it is closed in Australia, accepting only purebred stock. The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volumes 1 to VI This volume also lists a very large number of Shire Clydesdale cross horses. Though there were some Purebred Shires imported such as: Big Gun (sire Waggoner), Boro’ Sportsman (sire Dunsmore Royal Grey), Pride of the Shires (sire Noble ), Young Oxford (sire Samson 1922) The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volumes 1 to IX Revised, lists horses born from 1857 to 1912, of these there was 35 imported Shires listed here. Some of them were: Disraeli (sire Farmers Glory), Dumbleton Squire (sire Champion of England), Emperor (sire Young Thumper), Dewstow Forest King (sire Lockinge Forest King), Kyme Tom (sire Honest Tom), Landmarker (sire Childwick Champion), Mount Wellington (sire Waxworks), Powisland Blue Blood (sire Buscot Harold), Pride of the Shires (sire Noble), Prince of the Isles (sire Honest Tom),.Not only were there some great sires there were also some great grandsires, to name a few: Brown Stout, Englands Glory, Bar None, Drayman, Markeaton Royal Harold, Lincolnshire Lad, Lincolnshire Lad II, British Oak.

The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volumes 1 to VII The Melbourne Royal Show 1912: Shire Stallion 4 years old and over – 21 entries: 1st Solomon IV, 2nd Rocklands Romsey, 3rd Contraband Shire Brood mare 4 years old and over – 2 entries: 1st Blosson, 2nd Ware Modesty, Shire Dry Mare 4 years old and over – 2 entries: 1st Bardon Forest Belle Gold Medal presented by SHS England for the best shire stallion or entire colt: winner Solomon IV Gold Medal presented by SHS England for the best shire mare or filly: winner Bardon Forest Belle By now the number of purebred Shire listed in the book was declining, it seems people either did not register their shires or registered them with the Shire Horse Society in England. In this edition there is a very large number of Shire/Clydesdale cross breds registered. The Draught Horse Stud Book of Australia – volumes 1 to VIII Imports were still common and here are some of those registered with this association after being imported from England: Boro’ Forest Belle (sire Lockinge Forest King), Tarra Blue Bell (sire Bowden Royal Duke), Dumbleton Squire (sire Champion of England), Boro’ Ranger 29133 Buscot Victor), Landmarker 30605(Childwick Champion) Melbourne Royal show results 1913 Shire Stallion 4 years old and over – 13 entries: 1st Solomon IV, 2nd Boro Ranger, 3rd Cast Iron II Shire Brood mare 4 years old and over – 6 entries: 1st Boro’ Forest Belle, 2nd Severn Iris, 3rd Sulby Emerald Shire Dry mare 4 years old and over – 1 entry: 1st Bardon Forest Belle Gold Cup presented by SHS England for the best Shire Stallion or Entire Colt: Solomon IV Gold Cup presented by Shire Horse Society England for the best Shire Mare: Boro’ Forest Belle

I wonder if we will see the day when Shires are once again shown at the Melbourne Royal in Shire classes, as well as the turnout classes.

NEW STALLION BLOODLINES FOR AUSTRALIA

Maurice Irvine has imported a Shire stallion from England. His name is Arclid Adonis: Sire - Blackden Charlie By Cubley Charlie, Dam - Acle Belladonna (Sire Bodernog Master By Dothan Mastermind). He was 27 months old when I bought him in August and he arrived in Australia on 2 11 2003. He has settled well to the Hunter Valley and a number of mares are already in foal to him. His breeder is Tony Bull of Arclid Shires in Cheshire. Adonis is bay in colour, with three white legs and one dark leg. With the blood lines that this horse is carrying, we are expecting some interesting additions to the Australian Shire Horse population

It has been a while since information regarding the registration and description of the Shire was in the newsletter, so I thought this would be a good time to revisit it. The following was sourced from the Shire Horse Society Website, the governing body of Shire Horses in Australia.

Shire Horse Society Contacts: Address: The Shire Horse Society East of England Showground Peterborough PE2 6XE

Tel: 01733 234451 Fax: 01733 370038

Web address: www.shire-horse.org.uk General Enquiries – [email protected] Membership – [email protected] Registrations – [email protected] Field Officer – [email protected]

Registrations GENERAL It is not necessary to be a Member of the Society in order to register an entry in the Stud Book. However, fully paid up Members of the Society enjoy preferential fees. Every animal must have a registered prefix. If new breeders do not already have a prefix, please contact the Society to ensure that no one is already using your choice. There is only one payment to register a prefix. Duplication of names is not permitted and numerical suffixes are not allowed. Please ensure that the full date of birth is given for your animal. Refer to the Breed Standard for permissible colours. All sections of all forms must be completed and if you are not the breeder, check with the Society that that the dam has been transferred into the ownership of the breeder. All details of the sketch card must be fully completed, and the written description and the sketch must agree. The mare owner’s copy of the Service Certificate should accompany the entry form. The name of each and every stallion serving a mare during a Service Season MUST be declared on the Stud Book Entry Form as the possible sire. DNA screening will then be carried out. Before sending in registration forms, please check: If you are a Member of the Society, is your subscription paid for the current year? Has the registration form been signed by both the current owner and breeder? Has the sketch card been correctly completed and signed? Have you included the correct fees? Have you included the Stud Book Entry Form, Service Certificate, and your cheque?

FILLIES AND MARES - NOTES FOR REGISTRATION Filly Foals for entry in Stud Book Filly foals by a registered Shire Stallion and out of a fully registered or Grade B mare are eligible for registration in the Stud Book proper. Fillies to be registered during their year of birth. They must be sketched by a Veterinary Surgeon and a DNA sample must be taken from the foal (and sire and dam if not already held). Filly Foals for entry in Grade B Register Filly foals by a registered Shire stallion and out of a Grade A Register or registered Clydesdale mare are eligible for registration in the Grade B register. Fillies must be sketched by a Veterinary Surgeon and a DNA sample must be taken from the foal (and sire and dam if not already held). Photographs of both sides and the front of the animal should accompany the registration form for inspection by the Editing and Training Committee. Filly Foals for entry in Grade A Register Filly foals, by a registered Shire stallion and out of an unregistered mare are eligible for registration in the Grade A Register. Fillies must be sketched by a Veterinary Surgeon and a DNA sample must be taken from the foal and sire if not already held). Photographs of both sides and the front of the animal should accompany the registration form for inspection by the Editing and Training Committee. Non Breeding Animals and Geldings There is a Non Breeding Animal and Gelding Register for animals who are not to be used for breeding or geldings. Animals should be by either a registered Shire stallion or registered dam. The sketch of the animal may be done by the owner or by the Veterinary Surgeon. COLTS AND STALLIONS - NOTES FOR REGISTRATION Colt Foal Notification Colt foals must be by a registered Shire stallion and out of a fully registered Shire mare to be eligible for registration in the Stud Book proper. Colt foals from unregistered mares and Grading Register mares are not eligible for registration. The sketch of the animal may be done by the owner or by the Veterinary Surgeon. Yearling Colt or Stallion Approval and Full Registration Notified colts may be considered for approval and full registration in the year following their birth. A DNA sample will be taken at this time if not already held by the Animal Health Trust. NOTE: Approved stallions are required to have a second inspection at 6 years of age. DNA SAMPLING Sire and Dam - A DNA sample from the sire and dam of each entry in the Stud Book and Grade B Register (Grade A females – sire only) must be held at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, before any registration can be accepted. Animal being registered – A DNA sample is needed for all females at the time of registration, and for all colts when submitted for approval as a notified yearling (i.e. when submitted for approval under the Stallion Approval Regulations) Please note that colt foals need not be DNA sampled at notification, unless there has been a double covering. Sampling Instructions You will need: Self Sealing Sampling Packet (supplied by the Society) Clean hands Mane comb Samples are the root ends from the horse’s mane hair. 1 Thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Clean comb by removing all hair and foreign matter. 2 Comb mane of horse being sampled to remove foreign material from the mane. 3 Pull (do not cut) 20 to 30 mane hairs by wrapping hairs around forefinger. Grasp hair close to horse’s body to ensure roots are obtained. Pull straight towards your body. If you look closely at the ends, you will see the root bulbs on the hairs. 4 Place mane hair with root ends in the packet provided, having first completed the details on the outside of the packet (we must have the root ends to test. 5 Place packet into a return envelope and send to: Animal Health Trust Blood Typing Unit Lanwades Park Kentford Newmarket Suffolk CB8 7UU 6 If sampling multiples horses, wash hands or put on clean surgical gloves before starting on the next horse. This will reduce the risk of cross-contamination of DNA samples. 7 For each horse repeat steps 2 to 6. 8 If the hair samples are being provided for foal parentage, please enclose samples from the dam also in a clearly labelled packet.

FEES REGISTRATIONS IN YEAR OF BIRTH – FEES PAYABLE BEFORE 30TH NOVEMBER

CLASSIFICATION MEMBERS RATES NON MEMBERS RATES DNA DNA Registration Registration Sampling Total £ Sampling Total £ Fee £ Fee £ Fee £ Fee £ 1 Colt Foal Notification 30.40 - 30.40 96.30 - 96.30 2 Colt Registration and 51.50 39.00 90.50 109.45 39.00 148.45 Approval as a yearling 3 Stallion Inspection at 6 30.90 - 30.90 - - - years of age 4 Filly Foal – Stud Book proper or Grading 30.40 39.00 69.40 96.30 39.00 135.30 Register 5 Non Breeding Animals 30.40 - 30.40 96.30 - 96.30 and Geldings

DOUBLE FEES ARE PAYABLE BETWEEN 1ST AND 31ST DECEMBER THIS RULING IS STRICTLY ENFORCED If you are registering an animal in this period the following will apply:

Members Non-Members

Classification 1 & 4 Classification 2 ADD ADD £30.40 £51.50 £96.30 £109.45

REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE CURRENT COPY OF THE STUD BOOK AFTER 31ST DECEMBER IN THAT YEAR Please do check with the Shire Horse Society Office to ensure that such animals are eligible, and the current fees payable, before submitting registration forms

REGISTRATIONS OUT OF YEAR OF BIRTH Registration out of year of birth are accepted on payment of normal registration plus £100.00 penalty fee i.e. filly registration out of year of birth would be £169.40 from Society Member or £235.30 from Non-Members 6 Change of Ownership 30.40 - 30.40 96.30 - 96.30 Male or Female 7 Duplicate Pedigree 36.05 - 66.95 62.85 - 62.85 Certificate 8 Export Handling Fee Only payable if export 66.95 - 66.95 114.85 - 114.85 handled by Society. To be paid by purchaser 9 Purchase of current 15.00 - 15.00* 15.00 - 15.00* Stud Book 10 Stud Book – back copies 11 Stallion Service Books Premium Stallions 3 125.00 - 125.00 125.00 - 125.00 years and over Non Premium Stallions 3 75.00 - 75.00 75.00 - 75.00 years and over Stallions 2 years old 40.00 - 40.00 40.00 - 40.00

HORSES BRED OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM Special Stud Book Registration Conditions will apply and animals may not be inspected by the Society. However, the Society reserves the right to inspect animals at any time and animals coming to the UK will be subject to inspection. We have now prepared a separate booklet for overseas breeders outlining the procedure required for submitting registrations to the Society. This booklet is available from the Society on request. INDEMNITY

Registration may be accepted from Members or Non-Members. Every owner and/or Member of the Society agrees to indemnify the Society against all loss and damage arising to it directly or indirectly from any inaccuracy in or omission from information which such owner and/or Member is obliged to provide to the Society in connection with the registration of any animal in accordance with the general conditions covering the Stud Book. Every owner and/or Member signs a Certificate to this effect when submitting a registration form.

Non-Members applying for registration agree to be similarly bound by the act of applying for registration

Standard of Points for Shires

A scale of points for the breed has been carefully drawn up and this has been amended when necessary, to meet modern requirements. For instance, years ago, a great characteristic of the Shire was the wealth of hair, or feathers, on the legs. Today the demand is for a cleaner legged horse, with straight fine, silky hair. The standard of points laid down by the Council is as follows:-

STALLIONS COLOUR Black, brown, bay or grey. No good stallion should be splashed with large white patches over the body. He must not be roan or chestnut.

HEIGHT 17 hands (173 cms) high at maturity. Average about 17.2 hands (178 cms).

HEAD Long and lean, neither too large or too small, with long neck in proportion to the body. Large jaw bone should be avoided.

EYES Large, well set and docile in expression. Wall eyes not acceptable.

NOSE Slightly Roman nostrils thin and wide; lips together.

EARS Long, lean, sharp and sensitive.

THROAT Clean cut and lean.

SHOULDER Deep and oblique, wide enough to support the collar.

NECK Long, slightly arched, well set on to give the horse a commanding appearance.

GIRTH The girth varies from 6 ft (183 cms) to 8 ft (244 cms) in stallions of from 16.2 (168 cms) to 18 hands (183 cms).

BACK Short, strong and muscular. Should not be dipped or roached.

LOINS Standing well up, denoting good constitution (must not be flat).

FORE-END Wide across the chest, with legs well under the body and well enveloped in muscle, or action is impeded.

HIND-QUARTERS Long and sweeping, wide and full of muscle, well let down towards the thighs.

RIBS Round, deep and well sprung, not flat.

FORELEGS Should be as straight as possible down to pastern.

HINDLEGS Hocks should be not too far back and in line with the hind-quarters with ample width broadside and narrow in front. “Puffy” and “sickle” hocks should be avoided. The leg sinews should be clean cut and hard like fine cords to touch and clear of short cannon bone.

BONE MEASUREMENT Of flat bone 11 inches (28 cms) is ample, although occasionally 12½ inches (32 cms) is recorded – flat bone is heavier and stronger than spongy bone. Hocks must be broad, deep and flat and set at the correct angle for leverage.

FEET Deep, solid and wide, with thick open walls. Coronets should be hard and sinewy with substance.

HAIR Not too much, fine straight and silky.

A good Shire Stallion should stand from 17.0 hands (173 cms) upwards, and weigh from 18 cwt (900 Kg) to 22 cwt (1100 Kg) when matured, without being overdone in condition. He should possess a masculine head and a good crest with sloping, not upright, shoulders running well into the back, which should be short and well coupled with the loins. The tail should be well set up and not what is known as “gooserumped”. Both head and tail should be carried erect. The ribs should be well sprung, not flat sided, with good middle which generally denotes good constitution. A Stallion should have good feet and joints; the feet should be wide and big around the top of the coronets with sufficient length in the pasterns. When in motion, he should go with force using both knees and hocks, which latter should be kept close together, he should go straight and true before and behind.

A good Stallion should have strong character.

MODIFICATION OR VARIATION OF STALLION STANDARD OF POINTS FOR MARES COLOUR Black, brown, bay, grey, roan.

HEIGHT 16 hands (163 cms) upwards.

HEAD Long and lean, neither too large nor too small, long neck in proportion to the body, of feminine appearance.

EYES Large, well set and docile in expression. Wall eyes are acceptable except for animals Grade A and B register.

NECK Long and slightly arched and not of masculine appearance.

GIRTH 5 ft (152 cms) to 7 ft (214 cms) (matured) according to size and age of animal.

BACK Strong and in some instances longer than a male.

LEGS Short, with short cannons.

BONE MEASUREMENT 9 (23 cms) to 11 inches (28 cms) of flat bone, with clean cut sinews.

A Mare should be on the quality side, long and deep with free action, of a feminine and matronly appearance, standing from 16 hands (163 cms) and upwards on short legs; she should have plenty of room to carry her foal.

MODIFICATIONS OR VARIATION OF STALLION STANDARD OF POINTS FOR GELDINGS COLOUR As for Mares.

HEIGHT 16.2 (168 cms) hands and upwards.

GIRTH From 6 ft (183 cms) to 7 ft 6 ins (229 cms).

BONE MEASUREMENT 10 (23 cms) to 11 inches (26 cms) under knee, slightly more underhock and broadside on, of flat hard quality.

A Gelding should be upstanding, thick, well-balanced, very active and a gay mover; he should be full of courage and should look like and be able to do a full day’s work. Geldings weigh from 17 (850 Kgs) to 22 cwt (1100 Kgs).

WHERE TO SEE THE SHIRES AT SHOWS.

Warragul (VIC) Sydney Royal Easter Show (NSW) Toowoomba Royal Show (QLD)

Gatton Heavy Horse Field Days (QLD) Casino Beef Week (NSW) Nowra Show (NSW)

WEBSITE www.shirehorses.info website is supported by the breeders of Shire Horses in Australia, who are members of the Shire Horse Society England. The governing body of Shire Horses in Australia.

If you have any articles you would like included in the newsletter, or any hints, suggestions or questions, these are also welcome.

You can submit articles or information to me at the following address.

Sue Bailey PO Box 26 Tamborine QLD 4207 Ph/Fax (07) 55 464 106 E-mail: [email protected]