Conception Garlands add vibrant colour to thrill of winning

Silk flowers offer more scope for truly spectacular garlands and the lucky winners have the honour of keeping them.

Glorious garlands: David Calbert’s colourful garlands have graced the necks of many winners including Bamborough Royal March ridden by Emma Adams. Picture: Amy-Sue Alston

WINNING a ribbon at a show is always fun, but the biggest thrill of all is to win one of David Calbert’s magnificent floral garlands.

They have decked the necks of some of Australia’s most beautiful horses, from Garryowen winners, Royal Show champions and Horse of the Year winners from tiny Shetlands to giant Clydesdales.

Calbert understands what’s needed as he is not only a high class designer but has been heavily involved in horses all his life.

Starting out at pony club, aged nine, his natural talent led him to showing horses that have won major events in three states, and he is on the national show horse judge register.

He worked as a veterinary attendant, secretary for the Ladies Jockey Association, and worked for the Sydney Turf Club in administration.

“I was retail manager for a chain of clothing stores and doing the window displays there started my creative side coming out,” he said.

“I had seen the lovely garlands on the champion racehorses in the USA, and my prominent show horse friends Greg Smith and Mary Reed encouraged me to try making them here for the biggest events.

“I created Conception Garlands and at first I used real flowers, which were beautiful but didn’t last, but when I changed to artificial, silk flowers it gave more scope to make really spectacular garlands, and the champions deserve it.

“The first silk ones were used at Barastoc in the ’80s and since then they are at the biggest shows and at several special races.

“The big ones take two complete days to make, the smaller ones a bit less.”

As a judge he has strong opinions on modern events.

“People need to take their children back to grassroots to learn skills before they attempt Royal Show level.”

MORE

BIG FIELD COMPETES IN YOUTH DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE 20 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE

FREE COURSE TO HELP FARMERS BUILD E-COMMERCE SKILLS