our story

2001 is where our story begins; we were living in suburbia with a dream to one day own a shire horse. 7 years and an amazing journey later our dream was realised with the opening of Deacons Gate Shires in June 2008.

The early years were spent researching and reading about the Shire horses, attending shows trying to decide which breed was best for us. The heavy breeds always took our interest because of their power, temperament, size and rarity. Attending the Gatton Heavy Horse Field Day was a memorable experience; we witnessed an amazing selection of gleaming, beribboned, harnessed beauties. Percherons, Clydesdales, Draft and Shires competing in all manner of events. The highlight was watching these huge animals being ridden, such power but so quiet and graceful; we were hooked and I wanted to be one of those riders from that moment on!

With only 70 Shire horses in Australia at that time, finding one was going to be the key. In between visiting breeders, speaking to Shire Association members all over the country looking for a horse to buy, we settled into the acreage lifestyle, acquired 5 miniature horses to keep the grass down, set up 20 chooks, 6 ducks, 4 geese and added 3 more cats… life was busy but satisfying.

It was in 2006 we found a Shire mare, in foal and available through a reputable breeder. Unfortunately other circumstances didn’t allow us to buy at this time and we proceeded through an emotional and trying period where we re-evaluated our decision and breed selection only to discover that we came back to the Shire time and time again.

It wasn’t until 2008, 2 years later that the breeder of this same mare now had another mare available, also in foal – the stars were aligned that day, and we knew that this was our opportunity to bring our dream to life. We made our way down to Melbourne to bring her back home with us.

Southern Cross Celestial Pearl arrived home on the 6th June 2008 and our dream was finally realised. Deacons Gate Shires begins.

2 years have passed in this wondrous horse heaven, our first foal, Deacons Gate Quantum Rebel in September 2008 (sadly his sire, Trelow Father Abraham, passed away October 2008), the arrival of 2 year old Arcadian Duchess in January 2009 (due to birth her first foal in October 2010) and Deacons Gate Salazar arrived 24th Feb 2010 to delight us all. Despite the constant learning and hours of washing, cleaning and attending to them all, the satisfied smirk remains glued to our faces whenever we watch them play.

We are well into our journey now, amazing how quickly the days pass but it's the simple interactions that enchant the most, the morning neighs, the excited galloping when the truck starts up, the jostling for position as the hay goes out for the night feeds..... Welcome to our world
Dale & Katrina