THE Weekly Times horse writer Fran Cleland, who received the Special Services Award, has been a long-time contributor to Equestrian Australia.
Her service to show-horse and to equestrian journalism has spanned the past 30 years.
In this time, Cleland assisted with the introduction of Newcomer Championships, Show Hunter Championships and Owner/Rider championships, now adopted by many shows across Australia.
A previous Ringmaster of the Barastoc Horse of the Year show for 10 years, Cleland created the Working Hunter classes at Barastoc, which this year attracted more than 150 entries.
Also at Barastoc, she introduced the Young Rider Showmanship competition for all-round riders from 14 to 18 years.
Cleland has judged Royal shows, Horse of the Year shows and other major shows across Australia and in New Zealand.
She also worked to create the Equestrian Victoria Young Rider of the Year awards.
Cleland is an accomplished journalist, with 20 years writing for Rural Press Victoria, which included editorship of Hoofs and Horns magazine.
She also worked on a horse segment for the ABC Countrywide program that ran for two years and was also a publicity officer for Equestrian Victoria for five years.
