ARMSTRONG couple Daniel and Ashlee Blight have had a season to remember, with their horses achieving great results on the show circuit.
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The couple’s hard work culminated in success at their first ever National Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Festival that was held over January 23-25.
Daniel and Ashlee Blight’s Clydesdale, Talbena Jimidean, picked up second prize in the ‘led Clydesdale gelding three years and over’ section. He also finished fourth in the best presented Clydesdale.
In addition, Talbena Jimidean was named fifth best Clydesdale in the state. It was a thrilling accomplishment for the Blights.
He will now head to the prestigious Royal Melbourne Show in September to compete against hundreds of Clydesdale horses.
“It’s huge to be able to compete down there. A lot of people in the horse industry aim to go to Royal Melbourne,” Ashlee Blight said.
Nicknamed ‘Hamish’, the Blights have had him for nearly 12 months after picking him up as a four year old and Mrs Blight rides him everyday.
“We purchased him as a four year old,” Mrs Blight said.
“He’s still a baby and is just beautiful.”
Blight and her Clydesdale have a strong connection which shines in their performance.
The Blights’ team of horses is called “Team Dash” and they operate out of Dash Park in Armstrong.
It has been a busy season for the husband and wife, who attended five shows (not including Werribee) from September to November 2015 – Maryborough, St Arnaud, Stawell, Ararat and Ballarat.
They walked away from each show with first prizes and champion status, quickly filling up their trophy cabinet.
“We’ve had an incredible season – 10 shows in 2015/16 (since September),” Mrs Blight said.
The Blights have also had two miniature horses that have been very successful.
In addition to attending the shows with their team of horses, the Blights operate a non-profit organisation dedicated to the re-homing of standardbreds called BB Standardbreds.
Daniel Blight is a harness trainer, and both he and Ashlee are committed to providing horses with a life after racing.