AN eye-catching horse-drawn cart trotting through the countryside and led by the ever-popular Clydesdales will signal the arrival of the Limestone Coast’s spring show season tomorrow as the 2019 Mil Lel Agricultural and Horticultural Show is held.
Starting at 8.30am tomorrow, the popular family-friendly event will bring a mix of traditional and new features to the Mil Lel district.
Involved with horses almost her whole life, show committee member Lynette Fritsch said Clydesdale horses were a logical attraction for the rural event.
“We will have the horses there for people to have a drive in,” she said.
“Even if they are not being driven around, I think they look good just sitting there as they add to the show’s atmosphere.”
Ms Fritsch first became involved with the Clydesdale breed in the 90s.
“I remember when I went to change the registration over for my first horse and the lady in the office told me it would not be long until my collection grew,” she said.
“Sure enough, a few years later I bought a mare and I began to bread them.
“I bred both of the horses which will be featured at the show and broke them into harness.”
Ms Fritsch said she enjoyed working with the horses and although she trained them, she did not actually get to spend show day with them.
“It disappoints me a little but there is just too many other things I need to do,” she said.
“My daughter is a great trainer and will be driving them to the show and also around on the day.”
Typically known as ‘gentle giants’, Ms Fritsch said she liked the breed because they were intelligent, thinking horses.
“They might see something which scares them but they tend to think about it before they react,” she said.
“It is easy to predict when they are going to do something and it can be easy to calm them.
“I do not like just any heavy horses, I prefer the Clydesdale breed.”
Ms Fritsch said she liked the white-feathered hooves Clydesdales had, adding they looked striking when trotted.
“My family is from rural Victoria and they would have had mixed-bred Clydesdale horses to use on the land,” she said.
“I feel as though I share a personal connection with them too.”
Following specific training guidelines, Ms Fritsch said foals should start training early in life.
“You receive a lot of satisfaction when you see the foal you had bred make it to this point,” she said.
“My claim to fame is I bred and broke all four horses on the Coopers Brewery Clydesdale team around seven to eight years ago.
“I also entered a four-horse team by myself a couple of years ago at the Royal Adelaide Show which had always been a goal of mine.”
Ms Fritsch said she had enjoyed her involvement with the Mil Lel Show over the past five years.
“It is satisfying when you see the crowd on the day watching the events and seeing everybody having a good time,” she said.
“I have been involved with agricultural shows my whole life and not just with horses but other aspects as well.
“At the Mil Lel Show we try and keep the activities as low cost as possible, so families can have a great time and not spend a heap of money.”
Ms Fritsch said Clydesdale horses would be available for a free pat or a gold-coin donation carriage ride from 10am until around 3pm tomorrow.
The show is open to the public from 8.30am.
