Breeding quality Clydesdale and
Clydesdale cross horses since 1993.
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The Shiralee Clydesdale's story
Previous to purchasing my first Clydesdale in 1993, I had light horses, buggies and sulkies which I used to consume my spare time with. I would go for a joy ride and take family and friends. I even carted the local festival princesses in the annual parades. But this was not enough to fulfill a life long dream of working with the ‘gentle giants’.
In 1993, I was in Brisbane for 5 weeks, with my eldest son, Alex then 2 years old and my 3 week old baby girl Bethany staying in a caravan park . Being one not to stay idle for longer than a couple of hours, I started to research the Clydesdale horse. By the end of the 5 weeks, I’d sold the light horse, harness buggy etc and had started looking for my first Clydesdale.
I befriended a man by the name of Pat Erich and he introduced me to a beautiful old girl by the name of Kuldene Judith. Pat told me that Judith had taught many a youngin' in the show ring and on a skid and then she’d probably be what I should be looking for. Little be known to us – Judith was a top prize winning mare that most studs would have given their right hand for. Jude was in foal and this was the start of our stud! Along with Judith we also purchased Kuldene Beau's Jewel.
In August 2001, I travelled to Scotland where I were privileged to visit some of the Clydesdale Studs and treated to wonderful hospitality. I was able to learn a lot about the Clydesdale horse on this trip and decided that one day I will be importing and exporting for myself - World quality stock.
In 2002/2003 I lost my most dearly loved Clydesdale mare, Shiralee Jacqueline and her foal (Shiralee Summer) within a couple of months from each other. Jackie foaled early whilst still running with the other horses – I normally put them in the foaling paddock when they were getting close. The other horses’ fought around the foal and Summer was kicked in the side of her jaw –even after vet attention, she died 2 days later. Jackie had a retained placenta and as a result her 4 pedal bones turned and protruded through the soles of her hooves – we tried for many months to heal her, but when she couldn’t stand on her own any more we thought she’d been through enough – an extremely heart wrenching decision, I still well up with tears today when I think about her.
With my heart broken I decided to quit Clydesdales – they were too hard and too expensive. At the end of 2003 I sold my last Clydesdale, my dream had ended. There was no use to keep horses that you couldn’t properly care for, but I still couldn’t let go completely – I retained one of Jacqueline’s grandsons – Shiralee Highland Guard (aka - Sherman).
2004 bought a change in life’s direction and I worked hard and studied hard to give myself the life I wanted. I started to become financially stable once again and started to plan to my dream with determination. In 2006 I started to build up the stud once again and with brood mares for my then 3 year old stallion – Sherman.
In June 2007, Shiralee Clydesdales had a new lease on life with 2 stallions; 10 brood mares; 1 geldings; 4 unjoined fillies, 2 foals and 10 foals due at the end of the year. The stud was finally where I wanted it to be.
Then another curve ball sets in with the breakdown of my marriage in 2008. Once again most of the horses are sold off, keeping only a couple of favourites and now am rebuilding the stud with once more.....along with my daughter Bethany.
My mission
- To learn from the more experienced horsemen and women.
- To help and teach those in need of a hand.
- To supply pure of breed horses based on quality and proven bloodlines.
- To ensure the Clydesdale Horse Breed will continue with all the glory and honour they deserve.