Carrying the Torch: Shae Russo, Violet Murrell, and the Enduring Garryowen Legacy
29 Oct 2024 / Horses, Melbourne Royal Show, Melbourne Royal Competitions
The Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout is the most prestigious equestrian event in Australia, and there are few with stronger ties to the competition than Shae Russo. Not only is the rider a three-time winner of the competition recognised in the Garryowen Hall of Fame, but she is also the great-great niece of Violet Murrell, the woman honoured by the annual event.
The competition began in 1934 when Violet Murrell died in a stable fire attempting to rescue her animals, including three-time Melbourne Royal champion saddle horse Garryowen (you can read more about their story here). Ninety years later, competitors like Shae draw inspiration from Violet’s bravery and dedication to her horses. “I don’t know if it’s because I am related to Violet [but I think], it’s a memorial event, you should enjoy it. That’s what it’s all for.”
Preparation for a Garryowen takes a long time. With very traditional costume requirements to meet, Shae started collecting pieces of her riding outfit when she was a child. “I’ve been very lucky that my coat that I purchased when I was 14 still fits,” Shae laughs.
It can take a while to find and train the right horse, too. Shae remembers her first Garryowen where her horse Warwind refused to cross a ditch on the arena. “That’s when I had to do a lot more work,” she explains. “We need to get closer so he’s got more confidence with me.” And work they did, with she and Warwind coming back to win the event in 2008. Shae went on to win back-to-back in 2014 and 2015 on another horse, Chosen One.
“Melbourne Royal is the one you want to win,” Shae insists. “Every state’s got a Royal, so there’s a champion at every Royal. But [with] the Garryowen, there’s only one a year.”
Beyond the honour of winning the prestigious event, Shae’s success in the Garryowen has bolstered her professional work looking after other people’s animals. “I started off with an agistment property [and with] just the name of winning a Garryowen, especially to have three under your belt, people realise I am good with animals and I’m going to be able to look after their horses. I help a lot of people leading up to turnouts and now I have a thoroughbred agistment property, so it definitely has opened doors.”
Pictured: Violet Murrell and her beloved Garryowen in 1934
Although it’s been almost ten years since she last competed, Shae’s far from finished with the Garryowen. She hasn’t ruled out a return if the conditions and her horse are right. Even if she doesn’t get there, Shae’s seven-year-old daughter seems poised to follow in her mum’s footsteps. Violet, named after her three-times-great aunt, has won a few pony classes at the Melbourne Royal Show and has “already got that turnout bug”, according to Shae.
“She loves everything to be clean and immaculate and then to have only that workout … I think she desperately wants to [enter,] but she’s got to get to 18 before she gets to compete in the Garryowen.”
With such strong love for their horses and ponies, both Shae and Violet continue to proudly uphold their family legacy.
To view all the results for the 2024 Horses in Action Competition visit https://my.melbourneroyal.com.au/results/2024-Horse/levels