Clydesdale Working Horse Display - Mallalla
31st July 2004 ....

I braved what was shaping up to be a miserable day for outdoors activities and headed north to Mallalla. The event was not signposted but I had no problems finding the paddock off the north side of the Two Wells to Mallalla Road.

In the paddock were various displays with bunches of die hard enthusiasts huddling in the cold.

The first display as you went in the gate was of motor cars of various vintage ... from the 1920's through to the early 70's. My favourite was a Dodge ute.

Further around was a stand of tractors ... ranging from large Lanz Bulldogs to much smaller tractors. There were two tractors ploughing part of the paddock.

The stationary engines display had many working examples of engines from old. Some were quite obviously lovingly restored and others as if they were still in regular use.

My favourite motorbike displayed was a Harley Davidson side car outfit. A couple of interesting models were a BMW copy by Douglas (very rare apparently) and a BSA moped.

No show is complete without the bbq ... steak sandwiches and sausages to warm the insides. A stall for coffee, tea and cakes as well.

Around towards where the horses were was a blacksmith with a young fellow working the bellows ... a very popular display ... perhaps it was warmer there!

The main attractions were of course the horses. A number of horse powered activities were performed. One was lifting of heavy sacks from the ground to a high cart ... a very simple leverage exercise with the horse converting walking energy to a vertical lift. A large hay roll was run out in the paddock. With a side rake behind the horse the operator with successive passes turned the hay from being sprawled out on the ground into a long winrow. After a change of implement the hay was now raked to the bailing machine. This was powered by one of the old tractors and bailing of hay was demonstrated. All this activity was commented on by someone who obviously has a strong love of the old way of doing things and vast knowledge of agricultural activities ... unfortunately the PA system was not up to the task of delivering his dialogue very clearly.

Certainly an informative display of things old ... next time I will try to get there earlier. Rugging up and perhaps bringing a shelter to escape the wind is advised.

Fred

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