|
   
 
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||
|
|
||
| Return to Events Index | *Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 (video) | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Garryowen | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 (video) | |
| Melbourne Royal 2008 - 19th Sep 2008 | |
|
By Anna Sharpley. When an English judge steps out on to the arena in riding clothes, all interested parties sit a little higher in their seats. Occasionally the judge will ride the hacks here, but not often. In relatively recent times I can only think of three, Roger Fitzhardinge and Chris Lawrie, both of whom rode the Championship finalists at Canberra and Sylvia McLachlan who rode the finalists at Sydney Royal. There may of course have been others that I have not seen. It is common practice in England for the judge to ride, as it is, after assessing the conformation and movement etc., the final and perhaps definitive test of a show hack. Anne Hooley, the judge for the 2008 Melbourne Royal has an impressive list of judging credits and has judged in Australia once before, at the Grand National in 2000. Like so many judges from the old country, Anne was approachable, delightful and considering her accomplishments, amazingly self effacing. Leanne Donoghue's Flawless just about lived up to his name at Melbourne. The beautiful big horse won the Over 16.2hh class, the Pope Cup, (as 2006) and after giving the judge a "lovely ride" was declared Champion Hack. Margo Haynes won the 16-16.2hh class with her impressive Grazier. The handsome horse, that carried Margot to second place in the Garryowen, looks a delight to ride. He proved to be so, with Anne Hooley commenting he was "a beautiful ride" and certainly a credit to Margot's training. All the Championship contenders only worked on the circle with their riders, the judge giving each a brief workout. At short odds before the final ride, Flawless and Grazier confirmed their positions on the ridden inspection. The English judges ride the horses forward on a soft, sympathetic contact, which really tests self carriage. Anne is a beautiful rider and was quick to calm the few that were a little uneasy with a strange rider. The riding judge always adds another interesting dimension to the competition. Willowcroft bred horses dominated the Galloway Championship with Kim Durante riding Willowcroft Regal Winter to claim the Championship and Bree Petrie riding Miss J Carson's Willowcroft Chance Encounter the Reserve. Both former Royal Champions are by Urubula Regal Promise. Marcia Beard gave the established stars a serious run for their money with her lovely working, Kolbeach Circus. Certainly bred for the job, Circus, by Syon Splendour (imp) out of Waverley Festivity was declared best Novice Galloway and was second to the dominant Regal Winter in the Open 14-14.2hh. Marcia was in Best mode as she also claimed the Best Novice Pony award with her Novice 12-13hh winner, Beckworth Romany Duet by Sufton Romany Lore (imp) out of Mirinda Spring Melody. The McMahon and McCormick families had a great show at Adelaide, but they hit the jackpot at Melbourne by claiming both the Small and Large Pony Championship. The dominant Silkwood Angle Wings, ridden as usual by Grace Hill won the 11.2-12hh class and took out the Adelaide/Melbourne Small Pony Championship double. However, one can only assume that a victory with a home bred pony is just that bit sweeter. Leanda Hello Dolly, by Kirreway For All Occasions out of Kirreway Flood Show lost her Novice status at Adelaide and ridden beautifully by Chanel Hunter, won the Open 12.2-13hh class and went on to be declared Large Pony Champion. The Metherall and Durante nomination, Kolbeach Carnival, a full brother to Marcia Beard's Kolbeach Circus, won the 13.2-14hh class an was declared Reserve Champion with Kim Durante in the saddle. Carnival had already turned heads at the show when ridden by ten year old Sabrina Durante to victory in the Smartest On Parade and Turnout classes. Sabrina also took out the Reserve Champion Girl Rider Under 12 in partnership with the lovely pony. To round out the pony honours, Christy O'Sullivan's Langtree Gemima (Jackets Bluebird/Pinehurst Gemma) ridden by Fiona Course, was second to Angel Wings and declared Reserve Champion Small pony. It would be totally remiss of me to finish the pony paragraph without some words of praise for the Gargan and Young families super Shetland, Araylon Heritage. With Sabrina Durante in the saddle, he was declared Champion Ridden Shetland, and with Tahlia Young now taking over the reins, won his seventh consecutive Shetland Pony Turnout class for riders four to seven years. Shae Hanger had a sensational show with her Warmblood gelding, War Wind. The outstanding grey worked beautifully all show to carry Shae to victory in the Garryowen Turnout and memorial class in honour of her great, great aunt, Violet Murrell. Later in the show War Wind was declared Champion Show Hunter over 15hh from a strong field. Laura Thomas keeps tradition alive, and as always gave a wonderful side-saddle display aboard Time Gallery to win the Show Hunter 15-16hh class and take out the Reserve Champion Show Hunter over 15hh award. Di Firth came all the way from Orange in NSW to take out the Show Hunter Galloway title with the Ellis and Firth Families well performed, Rothwell Kind Regards (Rotherwood Footlight/Rothwell Oaks Day). Stephanie Barrington rode the late Karen Chipperfield's delightful grey, Wingana Loving Cup (Owendale Percival/Wingana Love Song) to capture the Show Hunter Pony Championship. The Melbourne Royal horse competition is in a state of transition and poised precariously between success and failure. The horses are just one part of the Show, but to many of us and for many years, they have represented the best Australia has to offer in terms of equestrian competition. Let's hope that can continue. | |
| The Gallery |
Well known Australian Pony breeder Stuart Ryan drove his Acheron Seimon to third place in the Buggy Turnout over 14 hands and later in the day won the Jinker Turnout over 14 hands.
|
Mrs. Percy drove her own Bell Rose Marcus in the Viceroy Turnout over 12hh and not over 13 hands.
|
There were excellent entries in all the Clydsdale classes. The geldings are pictured entering the arena. Earlier there were sixteen horses entered in the Dry Mare class.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1914 Horse Pavilion has been gutted and portable stables housing the Clysdales, now replace the old wooden ones. This area is the only horse area open to the general public, all other horse areas are fenced off to all but exhibitors.
|
Colourful steward, Irene Luxmoore returned for duty in the harness ring.
|
Clydesdale judge, Scott McGregor spent his younger years working Clydesdale in his former home of Scotland, declaring, "it was hard work in those days".
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The portable stables and canvas wash bays blend in with the Ascot Vale houses.
|
A communication problem meant that the sand did not arrive for the work arena, however the disgruntled showjumpers were assured it would be delivered this evening.
|
This is what remains of the old Melbourne Show arena, now a public meeting place with the old grand stand in the background, this year being used for a snake display.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The old stables and lockers have all gone but the new air conditioned lockers are an improvement, however, they do not have the atmosphere of the old ones.
|
Trevor Costor drove while Justin Coster went for the drive with Burrowa Blackbird for third place in the Jinker Turnout over 10.2 and not over 14 hands.
|
Maryanne Pengelly drove her own Owendale Apricot into second place in the Viceroy Turnout 12 hands and under.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natalie O'Connor drove her own and A. Baker's, Moswyn Park Moonlight to second place in the Jinker Turnout over 10.2 and not over 14 hands.
|
Melissa Jones drove Peter and Shane Keir's, Canberra Park Stepalong Black Knight to take out the Championship for Harness Stallion.
|
Mathy Hyder led her Valmont Moonrise Eclipse to win the Clydesdale Filly 3 years old.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miss. D. Talbot's, Northdale Park Summer was declared Champion Clydesdale Filly 2 years and under.
|
Carly Thomas drove her Avondale Danny to win the Jinker or Buggy Turnout in Harness 10.2hh and under, while Keyara Garraway kept hold of her hat.
|
Tara Cox with the Cox Family's broodmare, Valmont Monique (Hillside Lorton Legend/Valmont Marguerite) that was declared Champion Clydesdale Mare and went on to take out the Supreme Clydesdale exhibit. The Cox family were also awarded Reserve Champion Mare with Valmont Pageantry.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michelle Gorton drove the Oakford and Reeves nomination, Paluka Kingswood to second place in the Jinker or Buggy Turnout 10.2hh and under. Travis Gorton looked very good as the the groom.
|
With no under covered seating for spectators, the wind and wet conditions in the afternoon kept the people away from the main arena. There was also an odd time tabling issue with the newly introduced ridden Clydsdale Championship and a number of Harness events being scheduled after the 6pm show closing time.
|
Ms. B. Doonan drove her own Willobrook Braveheart to fifth place in the Viceroy Turnout 12 hands and under.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John Mullenger with his Dominion Park Statesman, was pleased to win the Pat Arnold Memorial Trophy for Best Yearling Clydesdale Colt and Reserve Champion Clydesdale Colt 2 years and under.
|
Andrew Marriott led the A T Marriott and Sons nomination of Aarunga Flash Nicholas, to win the Clydesdale Colt 2 years and claim the Champion Junior Clydesdale Colt 2 years and under award.
|
Haylands Clydesdale Stud's, Haylands Souvenir took second place in the Clydesdale Stallion 4 years or over and went on to be declared Reserve Champion Clydesdale Stallion or colt 3 years and over.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Cox Family nomination of Valmont Avanti won the Clydesdale Stallion 4 years or over and went on to take out the Championship for colt or stallion over 3 years.
|
Kerry Barlow drove her well performed Nagero Grasshopper to take out the Viceroy Turnout Championship.
|
Heidi Stevens drove the Mr. G and Ms. C Collins, Nagero Maestro to win the Viceroy Turnout 12 hands and under.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elsa Avery drove the Avery Family nomination of Acheron Midnight to be declared Reserve Champion for Viceroy Turnout.
|
Andrew Marriott led the A T Marriott and Sons nomination of Aarunga The Phanton to be declared Champion Clydesdale Gelding. Another A T Marriott and Sons horse, Aaunga Image was awarded the Reserve Champion Gelding.
|
Shane Keir drove the P and S Keir and Family, Canberra Park, Stepalong Lodge and Springfield Stud's, well performed Canberra Park Silhouette to win the Viceroy Turnout over 14 hands.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Photographs Supplied By | |||||||||
|
Julie Wilson Equestrian Photography PO Box 167 Warburton Victoria 3799 Phone 03 59 662668 Mobile 0408 547 378 juliewilson@bigpond.com http://www.jwep.net |
|||||||||
| Return to Events Index | *Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Garryowen | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | |
| Back to top |
