Ann reigns in Ekka crowd
Pride of place for horses
GREAT-grandmother Ann Muller is taking Ekka patrons back in time at the horse pavilion, where some of Australia’s tallest and heaviest equines are on display.
Draught horses and clydesdales from Toowoomba and Ipswich and percherons from northern NSW join pintos, appaloosas, miniature ponies and fjords in the Royal Queensland Show’s Horse Breeds Expo.
Taking pride of place among the majestic equines is 78-year-old Mrs Muller, who crochets squares for baby blankets when she is not talking to many of the thousands of people passing through the display each day.
Dressed in hand-sewn bonnet, shawl and apron, Ms Muller travels to the Ekka from Dalby every year to help teach city slickers about how heavy horses helped shape the nation.
She is also there to commemorate the memory of her husband Barry Muller.
Mr Muller was a dedicated lover of giant equines and he bred, raised and broke draught horses until six months before he passed away in 2006.
Mrs Muller said her favourite part of the show was meeting children and young people.
“I love to see the little children’s face light up when they see a real live grandma,” she said.
“They love my costume – they don’t see grandmas dressed like this today.
“I like talking to the people because I make them think of yesteryear.
“I’ve been coming here for 10 years and I will be doing it for as long as I possibly can.”
– NewsRegional