The Garryowen Trophy

I remember as a young girl watching the competitors in the “Garryowen Trophy” at Melbourne Royal Show, dreaming impossible dreams and riding with determination in an attempt to make them come true. I was taught riding by Eileen Coffey twice winner of the Garryowen trophy, so the trophy was sometimes mentioned. Acknowledged as a leading influence in the development of good horsemanship in Victoria, Eileen’s first win was in 1937 and the second in 1941.
The Garryowen Trophy was always coveted by young hack riders in Victoria; we grew up knowing the story of Violet Murrell’s death and imagining the horror of that fateful stable fire.

…At half past two in the early hours of the morning on the 24th of March 1934, the barking of the Queensland Blue heeler ‘Billy’ awoke Violet Murrell’s neighbour.
She ran to her neighbour’s fence to note a fiery glow lighting the night sky. Her frantic cries brought Violet Murrell running from her house. Clad only in her nightclothes she ran to open the heavy doors of her stable block crying, ‘Oh my poor horses!’
As the doors were heaved open Violet was met by a wall of smoke and flames. This was no deterrent, determined to free her beloved champion hack ‘Garryowen’, a two year old filly named ‘Piquant’ and to let ‘Billy’ off his chain Violet rushed into the burning stable block.
The flames were too much…

Before Violet could lead out the badly burned and very nearly asphyxiated ‘Garryowen’, Violet collapsed onto the floor, her night clothes now well on fire. Her husband Bill raced into the stables and although he was struck by a falling beam and near blinded by the smoke he found Violet and carried her out.

The doctor attending spoke of Violets bravery and concern for her husband and the safety of the horses. He said she must have been in excruciating pain. Violet was so badly burned she died 37 hours later. Already – Garryowen, Piquant and Billy had perished, all three burned to death. Then ten days later, to add to the tragedy Violets husband Bill died from the burns he suffered when he tried to save her.

Violet was only 26 when she died; but she built a riding reputation that has never been bettered. In the show ring Violet was a master. Her successes reached their pinnacle in combination with her fantastic ‘Garryowen’. A magnificent animal ‘Garryowen’ was prominent in championship hack events, with the cupboards of the Murrell’s Mentone home filled with the hundreds of trophies he had won.

Out of the ashes of a horrific accident rose one of the most cherished hacking trophies in Australia. What began as a tribute to a brave and caring woman developed, to this day, into an event that stands for the ultimate in presentation and preparation of horse and rider.

To learn more there is a wonderful book titled: ‘The Garryowen Trophy’ put out by The Studmaster Press. My copy is 1st edition 1973 not sure if there is an updated version. Maybe someone can comment if there is…
You can also visit: www.localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au

Top Photograph: Violet Murrell and her champion horse Garryowen, 1934. Courtesy Mordialloc
and District Historical Society. Middle Photograph: Violet Murrell. Courtesy Mordialloc and District Historical Society.

Bottom Photograph: Bill Murrell. Courtesy Mordialloc and District Historical Society