Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival draws in crowd from across Queensland and New South Wales

What started as an offshoot of the Warwick Show has grown into a bustling, premier event favoured by lovers of hardworking heavy horses. See what makes it special.

Kendall Moore, Auchallar Suioh Artair the Highland Pony with Murdo and Lois McCullouch at the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at Allora Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

For Clare Gorwyn, the sight of a 17-clydesdales pulling a sledge provides a tangible link to Queensland’s past, to a time when early European settlers relied on these statuesque creatures to carve their place in the harsh landscape.

The wonder of those hardworking animals was on full display at the second annual Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at Allora over the weekend.

Ros Cameron with Trevor and Carolyn Kohler. Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at Allora Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

At the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival are (back from left) Chad Craft, Kellie Craft, Monica Maher and Paul Maher. (front from left) Darcy Craft and Mitch Craft. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Enjoying the displays are (back from left) Linda Sharman and Sally Halloran. (front from left) Emily Halloran and Brooke Halloran. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Ms Gorwyn is the event’s secretary and estimated about 5000 people came through the gates over the two days.

“The heavy horse breeds get into everybody’s heart,” she said.

“They are versatile, they have a good temperament and they are highly trainable.”

Matilda Brand 10yo takes part in the Led Obstacle Course with Caboonbah Heavens Gift. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Lawson Townsend and Jay Townsend. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Viarna Odgaard and Brightwater Thistle the 6 year old Gypsy Cobb won the Highest Point Horse and Rider. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Chloe Beckett, Bridie Griffiths, Rosemarkie Katniss the Highland Pony, Piper Griffiths, Kendall Moore, Lois McCullouch and Murdo McCullouch at the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“Heavy horses have a magnificence about them and you don’t have to be a big horse person to be impressed by them.

“We have the older people who remember their grandparents working with them and we have people coming up to us with tears in their eyes, saying the sight of a heavy horse takes them back to their childhood.”

Jenny Kunde and her Clydesdale Chocolate Gwendolin. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Dressed to impress are (back from left) Amelia Althaus, Isabella Woodrow-Althaus, Sarah Althaus. (front from left) William Woodrow-Althaus and Edward Woodrow-Althaus. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Katy Driver takes part in the Led Obstacle Course with Caboonbah Heavens Gift. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The festival consisted of dozens of events including dressage, riding and led classes while outside of the ring there were blacksmith, wheel righting and hot shoeing displays.

It was initially part of the Warwick Show but a group of enthusiasts thought there was room to grow, so they struck out on their own in 2022.

Ms Gorwyn said it was the right move as the Darling Downs event now rivals longer running events in Southeast Queensland.

Leigh Morice and Michelle Buchanan with Michelle's "New Era Rope Machine". Picture: Nev Madsen.

Deb and Charlotte Graham at the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival at Allora Showgrounds. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“It is onwards and upwards for the festival,” she said.

“We can’t really get much bigger because we were at capacity but we will look at ways to become more streamlined

“But we can’t forget our junior competitors

“It was great to see 17-hand-horses being ridden or led by 10-year-old competitors

“It shows there is a good future for the breeds.”

Originally published as Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival draws in crowd from across Queensland and New South Wales