The Judges and all the hard working Crew
Photos Sally H
Big Valley Quarter Horse Association
Inc is based in Benalla Victoria.
A little insight into club history:
The original club was established
when Quarter Horses were
first brought to Australia. The
Mactaggart families, along with June
and Charlie Beard were a big part of
the early committees.
The very first show was held in
the 1970’s at the Benalla Show
grounds in a portable arena. The
show continued to run events across
North East Victoria and Goulburn
Valley, until they disbanded in 1981.
In 1994 there was renewed interest
in the Benalla area so Big Valley was
reformed and has been going strong
ever since.
Our first shows were on grass on the
old Polo Cross grounds shared with
Benalla Pony Club and more recently
Benalla Adult Riding Clubs.
Liz Keating on SVQ Good Asset Q-80565
We also ran A shows in conjunction
with the Benalla Ag Society and
made use of the Indoor at Lurg and
the Wangaratta Rodeo grounds.
With the efforts of a hardworking
committee, partners and members,
our steel fenced sand arena was
opened at the Benalla Race Course
Reserve on 29th November 1997
The first AA Celebration Show
program on November 30th 1997,
had 34 events. 20 years on and Nov
24th 25th and 26th we ran a very
Page 16 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • January • February • 2018