“My horses have provided me with a lifetime of special moments.” We speak with Lisa Dalmau about her journey with horses – from buying her first pony at age 13 to discovering a lifelong love for showing…
“My love of horses commenced with a rocking horse as a child,” recalls Lisa. “I have owned horses since I was 13 when my sister and I saved all of our paper-run money and bought everything we needed for a horse, then convinced our father to buy one.
“A horse which, in hindsight, broke all the ‘rules’. We were young and inexperienced, and he was a part Arabian yearling. Fast forward many years and he won State and Pan Pacific Championships under saddle, creating the memories of yesterday and fostering tomorrow’s dreams.”
Since then, Lisa has nurtured several more unexpected champions amongst her small herd of five horses in the Lockyer Valley.
“Our horses range from a nine hand Shetland to beautiful Thoroughbreds for showing. Elliot, a Pinto Shetland, was purchased for our children with the parting words: ‘He’s not a show horse, yet he will be safe for your kids’.
“Upon bringing him home, my husband said: ‘You have bought an Indian, we should call him ‘Tonto’.’ To which I responded: ‘I think he will clean up okay’. I would never have anticipated his success in the show ring.”
Elliot was awarded Supreme Exhibit at Brisbane and Toowoomba Royals in his first year, and won three first places at the National Championships.
However, it’s clear that what remains most important to Lisa above the success she’s attained competing her cherished horses is creating special moments for others – even those who’ve never been involved with horses.
“As a young child, I was at Brookfield Show admiring a champion led exhibit and clearly remember the handler not letting me pat the horse for fear of ‘hand prints’. I show horses because I want to inspire the next generation of horse lovers.
“My commitment to turning out stunning horses is so that when young children at agricultural shows ask if they can pat the champion, I do my best to make sure they leave with a wonderful memory of their moment with a special horse.”
Looking back on her showing journey, Lisa is the first to offer praise to others for igniting her passions and keeping them alight.
“I have been very fortunate to have beautiful horses, amazing support from my husband, and belief from my sister and my two amazing mentors, the late Vince Corvi and the very generous Terry Cowan of Corvi-Cowan Show Horses.”
Her continued success in producing supreme show horses is also shown by her immense dedication to their health – providing for their physical safety and protecting their inner health. “Horse health has many facets and arguably, most importantly, is good communication with your vet.
“Louise and the team at EEVS always have time to answer queries and offer advice. They genuinely present as committed to the health and success of my horses as I am.”