The Sydney Royal Easter Show (the Show) has today honoured an outstanding contribution to the event spanning more than 40 years with the announcement of Hunter local Cliff Parker and his horse Twix as the dual recipients of the 2019 Show Legend Award.
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Mr Parker and Twix have worked together as a team performing one of the most important jobs in the Sydney Royal Horse Show, as a 'Green Coat' Mounted Steward.
Green Coats escort horses on and off the main arena for competition, ensuring the horse events run smoothly and competitors leave the arena safely. Twix is 17 years old and has been attending the Show with Cliff for around 15 years.
The annual Show Legend Award has recognised outstanding service and commitment to the Show since 2001.
It serves as an opportunity for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) to publicly thank a member of the Show Family who has worked tirelessly towards the betterment of the Show and aims to continue the tradition by helping the Legend pass on their knowledge to the next generation of Show Family members.
Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) President, Robert Ryan, said Mr Parker epitomises the spirit of the Show.
"We are delighted to acknowledge Cliff as the Show Legend this year. He has worked tirelessly on the Main Arena for many years ensuring our horse events run smoothly," he said.
"A Green Coat in the arena is not a Green Coat without a horse, which is why there are dual recipients of the Show Legend Award this year.
"Cliff relies on Twix to fulfil his duties as an outstanding Green Coat of which he has done for 44 years."
A typically humble Mr Parker said it is a shared award.
"Twix is a large part of this award too. You never get an award by yourself, it is the people, or in my case animals, that support you and give you these awards," he said.
"It's amazing and a great honour to have been awarded the 2019 Show Legend Award. I appreciate the hours Twix has put in to support me over our time at the Show - he loves what he does and really enjoys his time at the Show."
Mr Parker is long retired from his security and management jobs and worked as the clerk of the course at the Newcastle, Cessnock, Wyong and Gosford racecourses.
He's also spent years breaking horses on his property at Wallalong, just outside Maitland.
