Brumby owner Cindy Lee Whitford is trotting into the Seymour Show ring this weekend for the first time on her beloved horse, Clancy the Kosciuszko Brumby.
It’s the first time the Seymour Show, Mitchell Shire’s only agricultural show, has invited the iconic Australian horse into the arena.
A former Kilmore resident and member of the Kilmore Tennis Club, Ms Whitford now resides in Heyfield with her husband Ben and her children Gus and Ember.
Ms Whitford has a saddlebag full of experience, however Clancy is her first brumby. The bay gelding was around 4 years old when Ms Whitford bought him from Indigo Brumbies, a rehoming brumby shelter situated in northeast Victoria.
Hence the name, Clancy the Kosciusko Brumby, as he was rescued from culling in the Peppercorn region of the Kosciuszko National Park.
In just two short years, the pair have only been apart when he was broken in for riding by friend and trainer Rachel Robinson. Since then, horse and rider have jumped at every chance to socialise with other brumby owners and to try new experiences.
“Clancy has even been to far [north] NSW [for] droving,” Ms Whitford said.
“We are going to Equitana. It’s massive, it’s in Melbourne at the showgrounds and it goes for days, [and] we’ll be there for a couple.”
In October 2022, Ms Whitford founded a Facebook page titled Clancy the Kosciuszko Brumby and she quickly became a rising creator. Their reels and stories have attracted over 1000 likes and 2600 followers.
The Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s decision to include the brumby in the show ring is another exciting first for Ms Whitford.
It’s set to be equine paradise at the Seymour Show with seven rings on the program, and the horses will feature on the main oval on Saturday from 8.30am.
There are classes for all ages and abilities, including the impressive show hunters and the entertaining topsy events featuring bareback riding and fancy dress.
The brumbies are in ring six, along with the new and interesting sidesaddle classes, and the harness classes are being held at the back oval which is located behind the green pavilion.
The Seymour Show also features carnival rides, the show bag trail, and animal pavilions, and on opening night there will be a colourful display of fireworks.
The gates open on Friday, October 4, at Kings Park, Seymour, from 4pm–9pm, and will open again on Saturday, October 5, from 9am–4pm.
Tickets are available online now at www.seymouragshow.flicket.io.
For more information, visit www.seymouragshow.org.au.
