The stud won six prizes in the category, including the Peter O’Hagan Memorial Reserve Champion Harness Clydesdale, won by Destiny and driven by Claire Marriott.
Miss Marriott has competed with Clydesdales since childhood and between university, work and family commitments.
Groom and stud mistress Ellyn Thorne said it was 11-year-old Destiny’s first time entered as a single.
“She is used to being in the lead of our four-horse team and is happy to be in a pair, but she’s been asked to step up today,” Mrs Thorne said.
As part of the judging, the horse is required to perform a workout to assess a ‘walk to a trot’ routine.
Mrs Thorne said the purpose was to show a transition, with the horse also being able to ‘change the rein’ while trotting.
“You want to be able to see that your horse can do both sides because a lot of horses have a better side,” she said.
“It is to determine that your horse is being supple and responsive,” Mrs Thorne said.
“They then ask for a halt and ask the horse to walk backwards for a few steps and then a fan to the left and right.”
Preparation for the four-horse team competition requires flexibility.
The Marriott clan has always stuck with four pseudonyms for the flagship event, regardless of who makes the team: Prince, Phillip, Proud and Peter.
“Four-horse teams are very difficult,” Ally Marriott said.
“You are very, very lucky to have warmed up four horses for a team, so potentially on the day you might need to substitute a horse in.”
Destiny ended the day by leading her three stable-mates to win the category Clydesdale Four-Horse Team in Vehicle, driven by Andrew Marriott.
23°C