Drayhorse Shires

31/10/2026

🏁 WHAT A DAY AT THE SH*TBOX RALLY! 🏁

Today we had the absolute pleasure of being part of the Sh*tbox Rally, hosting some very special guests for an amazing couple, Carmen and Darrin, who put together an absolutely stellar fundraiser in support of cancer research! ❤️

What a fantastic day filled with fun, laughter, smiles and plenty of memorable moments! It was so wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and being part of something that brings people together for such an important cause.

Carmen and Darrin, you did an incredible job organising the day. The effort, passion and thought that went into bringing everything together certainly showed, and we feel very privileged that you chose Drayhorse Shires to be a part of it.

Thank you for having us along for the ride! We loved every minute and hope we helped create a few extra smiles and special memories along the way. 🐴🖤💛

Great people, a great cause and a whole lot of fun, that’s what it’s all about!

30/10/2026

Meet Big Madds – The Woman Behind the Mower and the Master Plan 🖤

I’m Madds, also known around the farm as Big Madds, because apparently having two Maddison’s around is just too confusing for everyone!

I’m one of the residents here at Drayhorse Shires and one of the faces working behind the scenes!

By day, I’m a high school teacher, but outside of the classroom, I help with everything from coordinating and planning events to marketing, a bit of social media promotion and bringing new ideas to life. Some might say I’m an occasional nerd, others might say I’m just organised. Either way, I do love a good spreadsheet, a to-do list and having a plan!

Whilst I might not come from a horse background, living around here you certainly pick up a thing or two! I’m always happy to lend a hand, whether that’s helping with feeding up, cleaning paddocks or helping out wherever I’m needed.

When I’m not behind the computer you’ll often find me behind the mower keeping the property looking its best, sometimes with my partner in crime, Little Madds, following me around! Between the two of us, there’s usually plenty of laughs and a little bit of mischief along the way! 😂

I also love being in the kitchen, making sure our hardworking team comes home from a big day out on jobs to a good home cooked meal.

While I might not be the one holding the reins, I certainly love doing my bit to keep things running smoothly!

Drayhorse Shires is more than just a business to me. It’s home, and I love being part of the team and everything we’re creating.

If you see me around, be sure to say hello! ❤️🐴

30/10/2026

A little glimpse of today’s beautiful wedding at the stunning Cowbell Creek, Austinville! 🤍🐴

What a spectacular afternoon celebrating love, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and the magic of our beautiful Shire horses. ✨

Another special day for the Drayhorse Shires Team 🖤

27/10/2026

✨ Meet Genevieve – Our All-Round Superstar! 💛�

Hi everyone I’m Genevieve, my connection with horses began almost as soon as I could walk. As a young child, my grandmother had the belief that a lady should be able to ride and encouraged me to start, so I threw myself into every Pony Club discipline available and thanks to my amazing parents. Over time, that enthusiasm grew into a deep and lasting love for dressage and hacking. I was so desperate for a horse of my own when I was very little that I even caught a wild horse from the forestry and led it home, much to my parents’ complete shock! Realising there was no stopping my passion, my parents finally bought me my own horses to take to Pony Club and start competing.

Looking back with hindsight, my early "baptism of fire" riding beautiful yet spirited ex-racehorses gave me a deep understanding of equine temperament and laid a rock solid foundation for my future in the saddle across hacking, dressage, and jumping.

After graduating with degrees in Law and Business having ridden throughout my schooling, I was fortunate enough to spend time in Europe working alongside Olympic level horses and gold medal winning world class riders which further developed my love of Andalusian and Warmblood horses. This took me to various Grand prix level events and was a dream to behold!

Upon returning, I focused on my career in legal practice which sadly did not allow me to continue my passion for some time.

Now, having retired from official law practice, I am thrilled to return to my lifelong love of horses alongside Casey, Michael and their magnificent team at Drayhorse Shires. To complement the amazing experiences Drayhorse Shires provides, I am currently building a wedding and events venue on our property nestled in the rolling hills of Tallegalla, with the intention of forming a long-term partnership with Drayhorse Shires to create truly unforgettable experiences.

In the meantime, I am delighted to fully support and encourage Casey and Michael in all their wonderful endeavors at Drayhorse Shires, while learning the new discipline of carriage horses. It is such a privilege and pleasure to be back spending time with these amazing animals and the Drayhorse Shires team I treasure so much!

27/10/2026

✨ A fairytale wedding making headlines! 🖤💛

How beautiful to see a stunning fairytale wedding featuring Drayhorse Shires in The Courier Mail! Our magnificent Shires helping create magical memories that last a lifetime. 🐴🤍

A Queensland couple has pulled off their dream wedding in five weeks, complete with 3000 roses, horse-and-carriage arrival and a handmade traditional Chinese qipao.

Wedding recap: https://bit.ly/4Bv5YPq

25/10/2026

🐴✨ Meet the latest addition to the Drayhorse Shires team… and she’s not the human kind! 💛🖤

This gorgeous little filly made her arrival at 10:30 pm last night during a storm of course, and we are already completely in love! Isn’t she just the cutest little thing?

Now comes the fun part… choosing her name!

We would absolutely LOVE your suggestions! Drop your ideas in the comments below and help us find the perfect name for our newest little lady. 🐴✨

24/10/2026

PART OF THE MAGIC AT DRAYHORSE SHIRES – MEET NAOMI! 🖤

Horses have always been a huge part of my life. I’ve owned plenty of horses over the years and spent many happy hours in the saddle, including competing in three-day eventing before life changed and my family became my priority.

My career has taken me on an equally rewarding journey. I was once a paramedic, where I learned the importance of caring for people, staying calm under pressure and working as part of a team. Today, I work in Health and Safety, where I continue to have a strong passion for looking after people and helping create safer workplaces.

For me, there’s nothing quite like spending quality time with horses. They have a way of bringing people together, creating connection and reminding us to slow down and enjoy the moment.

I truly believe in this amazing company and most importantly, in the incredible people behind it. The passion, dedication and teamwork are what make it so special, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of that journey.

I feel truly honoured and grateful to be part of such an amazing family and incredible team. ❤️

From the very beginning, I’ve felt something special about this business, the people, the passion, the support and the belief in what we are building together.

I’m so excited for the journey ahead and incredibly proud to be part of it. I know there are big things coming, and I can’t wait to see where this incredible journey takes us.

Here’s to an amazing future, making memories, growing together and achieving great things as a family. ❤️✨

24/10/2026

💗 The Memories Continue… Hooves, High Tea & Hope! 🎀🐴

More beautiful moments from our Hooves & High Tea breast cancer fundraiser. Every photo captures a little of the love, laughter and generosity that made this day so special.

Together, we stand stronger, spread awareness and support those affected by breast cancer. 💕🌸

Photos by Linda Armstrong

23/10/2026

🖤Meet Tia - Our Horsewoman, Our Team, Our Future🖤

Hi I’m Tia. I’m 31 years old living here in SE QLD with my husband and two sons on a little hobby farm.

Horse riding has always been a part of my life as I was born and bread on the back of a horse.

I have always been willing to give everything a little bit of a crack, as I I’m a strong beliver that you never stop learning.

I grew up in Tasmania riding many different horses and doing whatever mum could get me to, from pony club, hacking, show jumping and dressage but my heart was truly with eventing.

I went through a hand full of pony’s through my young years that my parents had either breed or broken in. Then ended up going onto our Clydesdale x TB stallion Bo Diddley, that was gelded when he was around 6 much to my father’s disgust. I had much success with him and then later took him over the water to the Island for nationals which turned out to be the best decision.

I did a lot of eventing with Diddles and also a paint horse I had called Routley who was also a stalion and was gelded latter in his life.

I was able to go over to Denmark for 3 months to work in a high class dressage stable where I gained so much. I was riding up to 15 horses a day, and getting lessons from high level coaches. The time I had there was so valuable and the knowledge I was able to bring back to little Tasmania and implement to my own horses was invaluable.

When I was 18 I moved away from home to join the army where I spent the next 13 years of my life.
When I returned from Afghanistan in 2015 l felt the horses calling me, I really wanted to get back into it but wasn’t able to have my own with my defence job and also having to be away so much. I ended up putting a callout on facebook to see if anyone wanted help working horses and that is where I got into contact with Katrina. I ended up riding for her. We did a lot of retraining and selling thoroughbreds off the track. And as a result we are now like family 11 years down the track.

My husband and I ended up being moved to SE QLD where we both got out of the defence some years later.

I now have two 6 year old Warmblood mare’s that my mother bred for me, from semen she imported 32 years ago from Denmark.

I do what I can with them having to juggle two you kids a little hobby farm, work and hobbies too.

So where am I now?

I’m incredibly fortunate to be involved with Drayhorse Shires and have the opportunity to campaign the one and only King of Spades. It’s something I’m truly grateful for, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us!