(pictured left: The Waler and above right: The Australian Draught with their adoring fans!)

 

As mentioned, this was very difficult to judge - ALL answers showed the passion breeders have for their particular favourite and ALL breeds are the best to people who own and love them, so really, everyone is a winner!

 

Thank you to everyone who participated and without further ado, let's hear representatives from 15 breeds, tell us why their breed was the best breed at Ekka!

 

 

 

WINNER:  Australian Stock Horse

The dished Arabian head is the distinctive feature with short pricked alert ears.  The neck is arched and in proportion to the body.  The nostrils are large and flexible.
These features are why Arabians lead compared to all other breeds.

They're myth and legend, warhorse, companion, endurance, racehorse, show horse, extreme beauty and versatility and the oldest purebred breed in the world...
Long may they live!

 

THIRD: Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is one of the oldest recognised breeds in the world, having been found depicted in primitive cave drawings in what is now Europe.  An Appaloosa will stand out and draw a crowd whereever it goes, not only for its unique spotted colour pattern (with no two horses ever the same!) but also for its Native American heritage. Everybody loves Indians! Witness the never-ending photo sessions with our 'Indians' at the Appaloosa stand!

In Modern times the Appaloosa competes successfully in a full range of competitive events, ranging from traditional western (pleasure, trail, reining) to showjumping, harness and eventing.  The crossing of an Arabian with an Appaloosa in Queensland has produced a world class endurance horse.  What pony club does not have at least one Appaloosa present?  From the plains of the past to the fantasies of the future, you will always be spotted on an Appaloosa!

...AND EVERYONE ELSE, IN ALPHA ORDER, WHO WERE ALL A VERY CLOSE EQUAL FOURTH (except for the Irish Draught who came fifth and won the Award for 'Shortest Answer'!!)

 

Australian Draught Horse (who won best display at the Expo, which is a credit to them because they lost all their gear in the floods!):
The Australian Draught Horse is the best breed at the Ekka because they are a true Australian icon!  They helped to build the nation in the pioneer era and are still used today on some farms.  They are such a big part of our history and heritage.

By having the Australian Draught horse here at the Expo we can display the past to our future generations - the breed that is keeping our heritage alive!

Caspian Horse:

I would never presume to say that Caspians are the best breed of horse, as every breed has its own special place in the world.  What i can tell you is a little about why I was bitten by the 'Caspian bug', in the hope that they may also find a special place in your heart.

Over 2500 years ago the well known Persian King, Darius the Great, used Caspians as chariot horses during lion hunts.  His seal, which now resides in the British Museum, depicts just such a scene.  A remnant of these horses survived until the present day, living in Iran amongst the remote Alborz mountains and the adjacent southern shores of the Caspian sea, making Caspians the oldes domesticated breed of horse in the world. Studies have shown that they are ancestral to the Arab horse and thus their genetics form a  part of many modern breeds.

Though the history surrounding the Caspian horse is fascinating, it is the horses themselves that capture the hearts of many who come into contact with them.  I have often been captivated by the personal stories people have shared with me, and as a breeder, I am steadily collecting my own.  Caspians are generally affectionate, curious, spirited and kind, thus making them great children's horses (height range is generally 10.2 - 12.2hh).  They excel in harness, have exceptional jumping ability, speed and great agility which makes them highly desirable for gymkhanas, barrel racing, jumping and racing.  They also exhibit a long low action in the show ring and have smooth gaits for dressage.  The Caspian's stamina suits endurance riding and they are able to keep up with a large horse in all gaits except a full gallop.

These ancient horses are still classified as critically endangered with less than 1700 existing world wide (only 866 females).  Australia has 174 registered individuals of which only 91 are females.  Those involved with the breed are average people with one thing in common, they all agree that these ancient horses deserve a long and happy future.

 

Clydesdale:
The Clydesdale was bred for its temperament and ability to work in draught.  A calm breed, easy to train and can work all day.  The Clydesdale action is smooth and the breed can cover ground, giving it the ability to do more work with less energy.

The Clydesdale is very versatile in that not only can it work in fields pulling ploughs and on roads pulling lorries but it can also be ridden.  Though not bred to be ridden, farmers used to ride their Clydesdales to the fields to work and then ride them home.

More recently there has been a rise in the number of Clydesdales being ridden and have been known to be used in campdrafting, barrel racing and even dressage.

An all round versatile horse with temperament, longevitiy and faithfulness!

 

Miniature Horse:

The Miniature Horse is the best breed at the 2011 Ekka because:

• We are the smallest in height - average 26 - 32 inches (under 8hh).
• Most versatile and trainable - compete in halter, trail, jumping, harness and long reining.
• Less intimidating than larger horses, making them great for youth, disabled or elderly.
• Cheaper to maintain than larger horses.
• Miniature horses come in all types of colours.
• Foals are so tiny, average 18 - 20 inches in height.
• Miniature horses have more personality and are more affectionate than larger horses.
• Due to cost, you can have more miniatures in your back yard compared to larger horses!

 

 

Morgan:

Morgan horses choose their owners! They are intelligent and have a great temperament.

What other breed can you thread a tarp through their legs without training or thread them through a hoola hoop with streamers attached?
They are a versatile family horse!

Percheron:
Though it's a fruitless exercise to place on breed of horse above another, whether at the Horse Breeds Expo or elsewhere, as horse owners and breeders, we all know in our hearts and heads that OUR BREED is the best for us adn the application for which we require our horse.

However, I'll briefly state the case for the Percheron!  Percherons are Mr and Mrs Versatility.  The heavy purebred can in itself do what any other HEAVY can  and what some light and medium horses can too.  And they can do it on the 'smell of an oily rag'! In addition, the Purebred Percheron can be reliably crossed with other breeds to produce a horse of suitable for application across the full range of equestrian disciplines and farm usage.

And all this with a great and generous intelligence that works co-operatively with us, their people.

Pinto:
We feel the Pinto is the best as they can come in any colour, size and type to suit whatever equestrian discipline you want to do and they look spectacular while doing it!
The Pinto there is nothing they can't do!
Thanks Horsezone for your sponsorship of our Qld Pinto State Championships :)

 

 

 

Quarter Horse:
I believe that despite the wonderful breeds represented at Ekka, the Australian Quarter Horse is the best choice for an all round horse.

The Quarter Horse has a superb temperament, which has easily handled all the peculiar goings on at Ekka, without any fuss.  He is a great type, sound of leg, mind and body and more suitable for a general family horse or show horse than any other breed represented here.

The Quarter Horse is an attractive type, coming in a great variety of colours, often showing in other colour breed events.

The Australian Quarter Horse is also backed by a very strong association, a huge membership base and a large variety of competition events to cater for the requirements of all members.

Our choice - the Quarter Horse!

 

Shire Horse:
The Shire Horse has the WOW factor!
He is majestic and spectacular in every way.
He draws the crowds every where he goes.
He has a great capacity for people and has been known to risk his own life for human life.
He is willing to do everything aksed of him and by and large these characteristics are carried across the entire breed.
He laughs at hard work and danger and with his surprising agility, he is capable of competing in varied events including, ploughing, hauling, carting, riding, jumping, dressage and eventing.
He is prepared to please in any endeavour he is put to.
His genetics improve the strength and temperament of progeny of other breeds  and he is a great asset to the horse world in all respects.
With his massive foot, silkly flowing feather, kind eye and statuesque frame - the Shire Horse is surely a sight to behold.
Shires are the most loyal friend you could hope for - they say 'dog is man's best friend' but i tend to disagree - get yourself a shire and you will see!
You can't go wrong with Shires - that is why the Shire Horse is the best breed.
I love my horse!

Thoroughbred:
The name 'Thoroughbred' is synonymous with the present-day racehorse and is the best-known of all breeds.  It is famous throughout the world and to a large extent represents all that is the best in the horse world.  Indeed, the Thoroughbred sets a degree of excellence in points which have become a standard.

The Thoroughbred is the highest class of light horse in existence.  With a sleek coat, refined head, neck elegant and arched, withers pronounced, shoulders very sloping: Clean of leg, hard of good bone with tendons pronounced. The back short, the body deep with ribs will sprung to barrel shape.  Croup high, tail well set, quarters generous to a degree, hocks well let down, standing true and moving with great striding action.  A truly magnificient machine.

Around the world the Thoroughbred will be seen competing in dressage, eventing, hacking, showjumping, along with campdrafting, endurance, polo, polocrosse and trail riding to name just a few.  The Thoroughbred is the mains ource of the upgrading of many breeds.

Thoroughbreds are capable of a lot more than racing around a track or over hurdles.
 

Waler:

The Waler Horse is a truly Australian icon.  The breed was established to cater for the vast needs of Australians and made famous during their time as the Australian Light Horse.

The Waler Horse Society was established to preserve this unique Australian horse and to honour the horses that carried our soldiers fighting for our freedom.

Today the breed recognises the four types - pony, light, medium and heavy, which ensures this versatile and athletic breed can continue to cater for the diverse needs of the Australian equestrian.

FIFTH:  Irish Draught Horse:

'Cause he prefers Kilkenny to Guiness (it's succinct!)

 

Quick Links

• Read Canter Banter Blog for more about Ekka and the Horse Breeds Expo.
• View all Ekka Photos at the Brisbane Royal Show Gallery.
• Watch more videos from Ekka at HorsezoneTV.
• View horses for sale on Horsezone if you want to buy a horse from one of the breeds mentioned above and many others!