Warwick celebrates John Simpson's legacy

MEMBERS of Warwick's horse community turned out to pay their respects and show off their hard-working hooved friends.

The Simpson family give a heartfelt speech for the late John Simpson. Picture: Gerard Walsh

QUEENS Park was packed yesterday to celebrate the late artist John Simpson's legacy and the contribution horses make to the Rose City.

Representatives from Warwick's horse community, from racehorses, eventing and showjumping, and the 11th lighthorse troops all turned out to acknowledge the hard-work of their hooved companions.

Mrs Rodeo Warwick 2018 Lauren Mearns said the town's horsing enthusiasm is what initially attracted her to it.

"I came down for the 2012 Polocrosse Nationals and I have never really left,” she said.

"Warwick provides every kind of horse-related activity you could think of and it all brings people like myself into the town.”

Peter Lowry of Glengallan Heavy Horses was at the handover ceremony to represent the contribution working horses once made to Warwick.

While their days of carrying loads of wood have long passed, Mr Lowry said horses are still a valuable asset to the town.

"In the past they made a massive contribution to our infrastructure and today they are one of the biggest economic contributors we have,” he said.

Mr Lowry thought the new sculpture was a fantastic addition.

"It is representative of what we are all about.”

Mayor Tracy Dobie was happy to see Mr Simpson's vision finally become a reality but said work on the site is not quite complete.

"John was a regular visitor into council, he was always touching base with us for his projects,” Cr Dobie said.

"The sculpture looks magnificent and the next step will be to remove the signs near the bridge so everyone gets a clear view of it as they drive into town.”

Sculpture handover ceremony

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Originally published as Warwick celebrates John Simpson's legacy