Mrs Helen Heagney
A Garryowen four-time winner and mentor
Helen Heagney borrowed a horse and travelled from South Australia to compete in her first Melbourne Royal Show in the mid-1960s. The junior rider walked away unplaced, but with a passion that would spark a lifetime of Melbourne Royal success.
Mrs Heagney is a four-time winner of the Garryowen Perpetual Trophy, the most coveted show horse title for female riders in Australia. Taking home the title in 1975, 1979, 1985 and 1987, Mrs Heagney has also placed in the top four an incredible 10 times.
In 2010 she was the second rider to be inducted into the Garryowen Hall of Fame in recognition of exceptional achievements towards the Garryowen.
Helen Heagney after winning the 1985 Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout. Image Source: Melbourne Royal Heritage Collection.
Helen with husband Peter and sons Will and Sam.
Along with competing in the Garryowen, Mrs Heagney was a familiar face in the hack and dressage classes that were held before the 1990s. She’s also an extremely well-respected judge, having judged countless times in the Junior Riding classes and Garryowen, along with announcing and making the presentation of the winning rider.
It’s a love that runs in the family – Mrs Heagney’s husband, Peter Heagney, is Australia’s best thoroughbred auctioneer and a current commentator at both the Melbourne Royal Show and the Ekka.
Mrs Heagney has coached many young riders to reach their dreams; Susanne Pederson dedicated her 2013 Garryowen win to the much-loved horsewoman.
“She is an amazing teacher and I couldn’t have won without her,” she said.
With an extraordinary Melbourne Royal Show legacy to her name, Mrs Heagney has no shortage of cherished highlights.
“Naturally all the Garryowen wins are treasured memories, but probably the best memory for me was winning the 18-21 Lady Rider, still as a South Australian and somewhat of an outsider. More importantly, the judge was the Australian Olympic coach, Franz Mairinger,” she said.
“I felt really honoured to win what was then a very big class and to be judged by him.
“Overall, I am most proud of the longevity and diverse involvement of my relationship with the Garryowen. As a competitor of many years and also as a judge, I appreciate what a very difficult class it is to win.”
See Mrs Heagney in the photograph taken of Garryowen winners at the 60th Anniversary Commemorative Lunch held in 1994, linked below.
