Horse Competition History

Development of early stock

In 1822 the Agricultural Society of NSW was founded to improve the practice of agriculture and confer suitable rewards and marks of distinction to persons excelling in different branches of agriculture. From the outset, one of the Society’s top priorities was the development of early horse stocks. The Society’s original 1822 prospectus reflects this, stating:

…[The] breeds of our sheep and our horses have begun to acquire exportable value and reputation, which can only be sustained by constant renewal. …[T]hough our Colony has been formed only five and thirty years, we have already begun to supply the wealthy in the old established Colonies of India and Batavia with stately horses for their carriages.

As a practical measure a subscription fund was quickly formed to finance the importation of improved breedstock. Meanwhile, superior local animals were to be recognised and encouraged at Society-held exhibitions.

Important leadership was also provided in 1870 when the Society published the first Australian Stud and Herd Book.

Competition

At the very first Show in 1823 there was one class for horses. A single prize was to be given for the ‘best Colonial-bred Stallion, not exceeding three years old’, but according to the Sydney Gazette, the quality of the horses on display was so fine that a second prize was awarded on the day. The honour of first went to Mr Samuel Terry, while second went to Captain Piper. Both horses had been bred by a Mr Bayly from the sire Model. It was a very significant beginning: the following year advertisements appeared advising that the sire of the two prize-winning horses was standing at stud – the first example of a Show win being used for endorsement. From this point onwards competition in the Horse section was keenly contested at all the Society’s annual Shows.

By 1858 the Society’s prize schedule had expanded. Awards were listed for:

Best & second-best thoroughbred stallion

Best & second-best two-year-old thoroughbred colt

Best & second-best two-year-old thoroughbred filly

Best & second-best cart stallion

Best & second-best two-year-old cart colt

Best & second-best two-year-old cart filly

Best & second-best cart mare

Up until 1878 only horses were judged, but horsemanship and other horse-related contests were steadily introduced thereafter:

Riding events perhaps changed most during the 1950s. As the 1956 Melbourne Olympics approached, rules were changed to conform to international standards so local riders could qualify.

Some of the competitions listed are no longer run. High jump for example, was removed from the programme after the 1959 Show, and three-day events were discontinued after 1986. Some competitions, like children’s classes, temporarily vanished then reappeared. The sport of horseball has not yet been made an official competition of the Easter Show, but it made its first appearance at the show as an exhibition match in 2010.