New leadership for Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

The Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association has elected its first female leadership team, naming Cressfield operations manager Liesl Wickson as president and Davali Thoroughbreds co-owner Alison Hush as vice-president.

Wickson, who has worked in the horse industry for more than 25 years and joined Cressfield in 2006, brings extensive experience in foaling, neonatal care and horse welfare. She has served on the HTBA committee for three years and was vice-president for the past two.

Hush grew up in Sydney’s north-west and has spent more than two decades in thoroughbred breeding after earlier competing in FEI-level dressage and completing a communications degree. She founded Davali Thoroughbreds with her husband David more than a decade ago, growing it from a small operation into a successful yearling and agistment business. She has been an HTBA member for 20 years and a committee member since 2017.

The HTBA thanked outgoing president Barley Ward-Thomas for his service, along with treasurer Paddy Power and secretary Ross Cole.