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 ‘big guys’.
In 1993, when I was in Brisbane for 5 weeks, I found myself bored in a caravan hut with my eldest son, Alex then 2 years old and my 3 week old baby girl Bethany. 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!
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 – 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 to re build the stud with once more.....
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.