By Alana Mitchelson
AN INTRICATE horse-drawn hearse highlighted the Harness Horse Society (HHS) of Victoria state championships event in Berwick on Sunday.
The recently imported Herbie and Strider, owned and driven by The Basin’s Ash and Carolyn Swan, made its first public appearance pulling the old hearse to win the Concours D’elegance ‘most appealing entry’ award on Sunday 9 October at Akoonah Park.
Society president and Kooweerup resident John Kee said the Concours D’elegance section was like a grand parade.
“It’s open to all competitors and is traditionally judged by a non-horse person, selecting the entry which most pleases the layperson’s eye,” Mr Kee said.
“This year it was judged by Star News Group photographer Gary Sissons.”
Drawn by a Clydesdale (Herbie) and a Shire (Strider), the horses were appropriately adorned with tall white head feathers – while black feathers would have indicated that the hearse was carrying a coffin.
The hearse also won in other heavy horse classes.
Other categories included the strong miniature horse ring and the light harness classes.
Traditional vehicles were judged on their original build authenticity.
More than 30 competitors and a large spectator crowd witnessed Ocean Grove’s Elsa Avery take out this year’s Supreme Champion title.
Mr Kee said that despite strong winds, all classes were well supported and many competitors requested that the HHS conduct another harness driving event in Berwick in the near future.
“Other than agricultural shows, there are few opportunities for harness horse pleasure drivers to compete and display their vehicles,” Mr Kee said.
“It was pleasing to see so many vehicle varieties at this event ranging from viceroy and traditional jinkers to an American spider and Meadowbrooks.”
