Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular announces full program at Boonah Showground

The Clydesdale horse breed – known as the ‘gentle giants of the horse world’ will be celebrated at the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular – held at Queensland’s Boonah Showground 12th and 13th June, 2021 with a full program of Clydesdale competition taking place in the main arena including led, carriage and harness classes.

The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is a sub-committee of the Boonah Show Society Inc. and is supported by the Scenic Rim Regional Council.

Event organiser Greta Stanfield notes “The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular was born from a desire by local breeders to pay respect to the history and heritage of this magnificent horse. From the beginning this event has attracted competitors, participants and spectators from across the country and overseas, and we expect some 5,000 people from all around Australia to attend this year.”

The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is the richest Clydesdale Show in the Southern Hemisphere, where the grand champions of the breed are judged, the Scottish heritage of the breed is shared, and the history of the breed in Australia – and in the Scenic Rim – is celebrated.

The program also features rare trades demonstrations that focus around “the heavy horse” - harness making, blacksmithing, wheelwrights, horse-drawn demonstrations and driving displays, whip plaiting and more. Additional highlights include the Queensland Whip Cracking Championships, the World Billy Boiling Championships, wood chopping, shingle cutting demonstrations, working dog displays, Friesian Horse Troupe performances and bush poetry.

In tribute to the Scottish descendants who moved to the region and brought with them their beloved Clydesdale breed, the event includes a stirring massing of Pipes and Drums, Calling of the Clans, the Clydesdale and Clan class and traditional Scottish caber tossing. There’ll be whiskey, haggis burgers and more and of course, Scots are encouraged to attend in their clan kilts.

Stanfield adds “the event will feature some of the top bred Clydesdales in the country, and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who has an interest in this magnificent breed, or anyone who loves horses, or for that matter anyone who wants a brilliant experience in the country where there is literally something to watch and experience at every moment.”

The Boonah region’s Clydesdale heritage began around the 1840s. When the Australian Clydesdale numbers began to decline in the 1960s, a local family bred vigour back into the breed, promoted its value and presided over the rebirth of the Clydesdale horse in Queensland and Australia. Pat and Col Ehrich and their families were instrumental in maintaining the breed when it almost disappeared from the Australian landscape. The breed is still listed as ‘vulnerable’ internationally.  

Famously standing bastion at the entry to Boonah is a towering three metre sculpture of a Clydesdale by internationally acclaimed artist Andy Scott. The statue was built in a local Butter Factory workshop and a local economic development committee raised the funds to buy it after it had been displayed at the Swell Sculpture by the Sea Festival in Sydney.

Known as ‘Clydebuilt’ the sculpture is recognised by the Queensland National Trust, and is also the logo of the Clydesdale Spectacular, an example of how heritage and art combine to celebrate the history of a region and develop an event which brings together a community and attracts thousands to the region.  

The 8th Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular 2021
Saturday 12th June and Sunday 13th June, 2021
8 Melbourne Street, Boonah Queensland 4310
8am until late both days

More information at boonahshowsociety.org.au/events/clydesdale-spectacular/

Tickets: www.ticketebo.com.au  

For more information on The Scenic Rim visit scenicrim.com.au

Image top: Harriet and Oliver Smith (animals Nugget & Emily) Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular. Credit Russell Shakespeare; Image above: Amerbley Pipes & Drums Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular. Credit Russell Shakespeare