Latest Field Days News
Results: 2010 a fantastic event thank you all!
Results 2010 (pdf document)
To all, sorry for the delay in uploading the 2010 results.
Feedback received is fantastic, thank you to all that emailed, called and posted in your thoughts and comments – absolutely fabulous that so many took the time to contact and let us know how the 2010 event impressed you. The committee proudly put in a huge effort to present an event that encapsulated comradery on all levels. A massive thank you goes out to our Sponsors, Organisisers, Competitors, Demonstrators, Stall holders, Attractions, Patrons, and Services who all brought their expertise and knowledge to our event making it so much more than we could have hoped for.
Of course event preparations for 2011 are now gearing up. Stall Holders, Demonstrators wishing to advise of their interest to participate in 2011 are most welcome to send through their applications for consideration.
STALL FORM 2011 (pdf document)
2 weekends until the big day
Well with two weeks to go pretty much all is in place for a terrific 2010 Field Day marvel that we are sure will impress and leave you all feeling excited and satisfied to see our fantastic heavy horses in all their glory.
To answer requests the following events will be included in our HI Point competition and we are proud to be awarding truly unique trophies for the single/pairs division each day.
Saturday: Singles – 10, 21, 23, 26, 16 Pairs – 11, 14, 15, 27, 18
Sunday: Singles – 34, 39, 38, 41, 44, 50, 51, 54 Pairs – 61, 36
We’ve had the opportunity today to see two of our Clydesdale & Heavy Horse Field Day regulars showing us how travel was done in the days before mechanised transport took over at the Ipswich 150th anniversary of being proclaimed a municipality. The delight of the children and the reminiscing of their elders was as interesting to hear as much as the sight was to behold.
3 weekends before the big day!
The committee have been busy preparing, sorting, organising and confirming the many attractions, demonstrations and events for this year.
We are excited to host the World Cup Farrier Competition, welcome the famous Carlton United Brewery team and ”Noddy” the world’s tallest horse to this year’s event. The sheep shearing crew, the black smith and the animal nursery, firm favourites every year, will again be on the grounds demonstrating their skills and highlighting the living history we all enjoy. New this year are the sled dog team so keep an eye out for their demonstration. Food vendors, market stalls, artists, bar facilities and the horse breed displays will keep you occupied in between this year’s exciting ring program and Bubbles the clown will again be entertaining over the weekend.
Our many competitors have been preparing their magnificent horses for the variety of Led, implement and harness events in the main ring and this year a new Hi Point competition will be presented for singles and pairs each day so listen out for the updates of who’s leading the point scores. Also we’ll be presenting a parade both Saturday and Sunday so get your seats ready in time to catch the spectacle. Anita Scampton and her purebred Clydesdale Eucalypt Park Chieftan will again be performing freestyle dressage to music in the arena demonstrating the magic and versatility of the heavy horse under saddle. Sahra Rose of Equine Excellence Queensland will be demonstrating starter skills and behaviour modification in the arena on Sunday and the barrel races are on again so if you missed the excitement last year make sure to be at the arena in time to witness this terrific fun event.
See you there!
History of the Clydesdale & Heavy Horse Field Days
Initially a small gathering of people met on a farm at Aratula to learn about working horses in 1974. After a few informal gatherings and with the spectators and participants growing it was decided that 1978 should mark the 1st Annual Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Field Days held at O’Leary’s farm at Coolana. The next year it moved to Marburg for 2 years, then to Laidley for 11 years before coming to Gatton in 1992. 2010 sees the field days celebrating its 33rd Anniversary at Gatton.
The Field Days has a colourful history and many stories to tell. Not to mention the colourful characters who bring their horses along each year. The Field Days has been the largest and most prestigious heavy horse show in Australia, attracting over 150 heavy horses each year.
There are breed classes where the Clydesdales, Draught Horses, Percherons and Shire Horses are shown at their best to represent their breed. Horses come from Central NSW, Western QLD and as far north as Bundaberg to compete.
The weekend is mainly dedicated to the working of these magnificent heavy horses; events such as ploughing, log snigging and slide driving which would have been an everyday sight on farms, coupled with harnessed vehicle events and a variety of ridden classes all show just how versatile these gentle giants are.
Also happening throughout the weekend there are working demonstrations such as horse drawn machinery showing how horse power was used to chaff the hay for the farm. Added excitement outside the ring is the ever popular World Cup Shoeing Competition where teams from all over Australia and overseas compete to make a variety of shoes to fit the massive feet of the Heavy Horse.
Welcome to 2010
Welcome to 2010 and stay tuned for information regarding this year’s field days on the weekend of Saturday the 1st & Sunday the 2nd of May.
The Committee has been hard at work on this year’s activities, demonstrations, and entertainment and we look forward to keeping you up-to-date with more information via this site as it comes to hand.
Stay tuned, and we look forward to seeing you at the field days!