The Kallenia Story
Frank Coonan founded the Kallenia prefix over 50 years ago, in 1971 when the Australian Stock Horse Society was founded.
Kallenia horses quickly made their mark at the top of multiple disciplines, showing their versatility and well thought out breeding. From A Grade Showjumpers to Campdrafters and Royal Show winning hacks, the Kallenia horses could do it all, and do it well. Frank even bred a horse that was shortlisted for the Olympics.
Before he passed, Frank had bred 237 registered Australian Stock Horses, the majority Heritage registered.
The Kallenia Story
Frank was born in Yea, Victoria in 1929, then moved with his family to Maude, on the NSW side of the Murrumbidgee River. At just 13 years of age, Frank went droving, taking Stock along the roads from Southern NSW to Central QLD. He lived on the road for years at a time, life was so different then. There were sometimes up to 50 horses in his team, Waters, Draught horses, Thoroughbred crosses, broken and unbroken. Horses were handled and broken on the road, behind the mobs of cattle and sheep. No yards, just a lot of skill and wet saddle blankets.
Frank settled and married in 1951, and later purchased the property Kallenia Rivers on the northern side of Canberra.
Over the 50 years that followed, Frank consistently produced top horses in several disciplines. His stallions were shown successfully and were also campdrafters. He selected only the best to breed on with, there was always a reason for every decision he made. Franks last campdraft he rode in was at 85 years of age.
He had many favourites, but the ones that took a large place in his heart were MISTY BLUE (pictured at left), SUNNYVIEW QUICKSTEP and the stallions KALLENIA ABB and KALLENIA BILLABONG (a successful show and campdrafter - below). Frank and Kallenia Abb are proudly portrayed in the logo we use today.
As well as successful Campdrafters and led show horses, Kallenia bred horses have excelled in the ridden show ring. KALLENIA MIDWAY HSH owned by the Otton family qualified for the Grand Nationals three years running. KALLENIA BRIDGET HSH (owned by the Davies family) and KALLENIA DIVA HSH (owned by Sarah Hooke) have been successful at Royal and National level multiple times. KALLENIA JESSICA II HSH (owned by Jackie Long and pictured right) has won many awards through the ASH, ANSA and Open rings at Royal and National level. KALLENIA SCARLEP HSH is a National Champion Youth Horse, KALLENIA HIGH COUNTRY HSH a Multi Champion at Branch and Royal level, and KALLENIA OUTBACK HSH Overall winner of the Most Versatile Australian Stock Horse, 2016 Sydney Royal.
As if they weren't proving themselves to be incredibly versatile already, a friendship with the Otton family from Bega, saw the Kallenia horses also prove themselves as top Showjumpers. KALLENIA SWAIN HSH, KALLENIA LINDSAY HSH and KALLENIA SPOOKS HSH all became succesful A Grade Showjumpers. KALLENIA HAPPYSNAP HSH (pictured left) also an A Grade Showjumper was exported to Japan. In the photo at left he was the Leading Young Horse at Brisbane Royal in 2000.
Some highlights of Frank personal achievements:
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1947 - Frank won the Rodeo Shoot Buckout at Sydney Royal
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1949 - Frank won the Champion Gent Rider and the Champion Galloway Hack (at 20yrs)
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1951 - he won the Wild Horse Race and Working Horse at Sydney Royal
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1963 - Frank became a member of the RNCAS (Royal Canberra Show) and was a Councillor and the Stabling section manager for many decades.
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1972 - became one of the inaugural members of the newly formed Australian Stock Horse Society
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1996 - Frank judged the Australian Stock Horses at Sydney Royal
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1998 - Kallenia Billabong, with Frank, became the first horse to step on the new Sydney Showground. He was a Red Coat Steward for 13 years.
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2009 - Frank received Honorary Life membership from the Australian Stock Horse Society.
The fondest memory most have of Frank will always be his generosity, and his passion for the younger generation to be able to achieve within the horse industry. Frank was the initial sponsor of the ASH Junior Judging at Sydney Royal, and continued to sponsor Junior and Juvenile drafts, Show classes at local and Royal level, and many other events. Frank strongly believed in giving back, especially where it involved youth.
Frank was a Councillor at the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS) when a bright young girl was awarded the full time position of Horse Events Manager in 2000. Amy was excited about the position, a horse mad girl actually getting to work full time in the industry, and for one of Australia's largest horse events. There were many Councillors involved in the horse section that Amy needed to work with, but she was drawn to Frank the most. He took her under his wing, and a special friendship had begun, that would ultimately see the future of Kallenia and Franks work cemented.
Frank and Amy
At just 20 years of age, Amy was a successful Coach, Pony Club Instructor, Dressage Judge and Advanced level Dressage rider. She competed successfully at many Shows as well, including the Australian National Arabian Championships. Frank had nothing against Arabians, but he decided he needed to get her on a Stock horse and teach her some real things about horses.
"I learnt so much from Frank and the Kallenia horses. The first was how to stay on! I already had a pretty good seat from my years as a Dressage rider, but a stock horse is different, they can move fast! Kallenia Ebony was the first Kallenia horse I rode, a beautiful black mare, who had the attitude to match. Frank always said to me though:
'There's a million horses, but there's only one of you. Think first.'
I've never forgotten that." - Amy Curran.
In 2022, we knew Franks time was coming to a close. He was 93 years old. Amy had started working the young horses again, as she had done 20 years earlier, but this time Frank was watching from the car beside the round yard. His son Greg would often be in the car with him, and Amys partner Jonathan, and daughter Jolene would assist as well. Frank loved watching his horses be worked, Amy would look up after having a 'win' with a young horse, and Frank would be smiling. His horses definitely kept his spirits up.
Frank and Amy discussed and ultimately chose a bay yearling colt to continue Franks work into the future. By Kallenia Oliver (pictured above) and out of Kallenia June, this colt was registered Kallenia Valentino II HSH and affectionally named 'Billy'. Pictured right, he is a full brother to multiple top winning horses including the mare Kallenia Diva HSH. Frank also chose a striking black filly for Amy, and named her Kallenia Amy HSH.
With her partner Jonathan, Amy continues the legacy of the Kallenia horses. Breeding a small number of foals each year, supporting ASH shows and events through Sponsorship and as a Judge, and encouraging and teaching young riders all about the Australian Stock Horse.
Just as Frank did.
If you'd like to view more historical photos, and articles about Frank, we have put together a gallery.
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Thank you for your interest in Australia's Heritage Australian Stock Horses.
Historical Gallery
