General News
26 October, 2023
Making Royal Show history
A DERRINALLUM resident and Shetland pony stud founder has made Melbourne Royal Show history.
A DERRINALLUM resident and Shetland pony stud founder has made Melbourne Royal Show history.
Founder of Kilpara Park Shetland Stud Lisa McLennan won three titles at the Adelaide Royal Show, then won two titles at the Melbourne Royal show with two of her Shetland ponies.
Founded in 1999, Kilpara was moved to Derrinallum in 2017 and breeds the most Shetland pony foals in Australia at 18 foals a year.
Ms McLennan said she used to be an eventer and had bought her first Shetland pony at age 12 as a companion for her thoroughbred.
“I took the Shetland pony to Pony Club and someone said, ‘that’s a nice Shetland pony’,” she said.
“That’s how I ended up getting into showing Shetlands from there.
“They are used for lead, saddle and harness, and as an adult it’s more comfortable to drive them than to ride them.”
At the Adelaide Royal Show, Ms McLennan won Champion Reserve Champion Turnout, Champion Reserve Champion Driven, and then went on to claim Supreme Shetland Exhibit.
Two weeks later, she competed at the Melbourne Royal Show with her two ponies.
There, she took out Champion Reserve Champion Turnout and Champion Reserve Champion Driven.
Ms McLennan drove Kilpara Park Mietta for one competition, while her coach Darryl Hayes drove Kilpara Park On Point.
Ms McLennan said she was very proud of her achievement.
“It was unbelievable to achieve that,” she said.
“We actually made Royal history, so in 175 years of Melbourne Royal that’s never actually been achieved before.
“It was unbelievable; it was a dream come true.
“I was pinching myself; so proud, very proud.”
The competition is judged by the quality of the gear used, the carriage and the pony.
Ms McLennan described the moment she found out she had won as “amazing”.
“I knew I had to win because I won both the classes to get into the championship,” she said.
“The championship was a given; I just didn’t know which pony, and the reserve championship we still had to challenge for reserve to the second place-getter to my colt.
“The grandstand lit up; everyone was there to watch.
“They called us forwards, and they interviewed us, and it was an amazing feeling.”
At the shows, Ms McLennan used an early 1900s Sydney Brass sulky, which had been work done by local handyman Jim Anderson prior to the event.
“Jimmy Anderson played an integral part; he did a plaque for me,” she said.
“So many people helped me, through to the saddlers.”
“Obviously, my parents; they were incredibly looking after the kids. My partner that allows me to go.
“My coach, Daryl Hayes; he has been giving me lessons for the last four months, and he drove the other pony for me.”
With a history-making achievement under her belt, Ms McLennan was already looking towards future competitions.
She said she had been part of shows in Sydney and Canberra this year as well and was looking to go through the shows again.
“I’ll do the All Shetland Show in Victoria at the end of the year in December, and then prepare for Canberra and Sydney again next year,” Ms McLennan said.
“I haven’t got the championship in Canberra or Sydney in the driven, so that’s my next goal.
“I’ve had a very good run.”
