Entries Open for the Greatest Show on Turf - Barastoc Horse of the Year 2014

Equestrian Victoria (EV) has released a new event schedule for its 2014 Barastoc Horse of the Year (HOTY) Show. Two major changes are the inclusion of a ‘Super Saturday’ whereby all Open Saddle classes and the very popular International Challenge are judged on Saturday, 15 February and Sunday, 16 February will see the introduction of a day solely dedicated to the Breed Groups, HRCAV and the return of Carriage Driving to the Show. 

Entries are now open for the four day competition (Thursday, 13 – Sunday, 16 February), aptly titled ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ to be held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Equestrian Victoria CEO, Greg Pratt said that the 2014 Barastoc Horse of the Year Show will welcome riders and horses from across Australia in what will make for four days of show horse and breeding excellence.

“The 45 th Barastoc Horse of the Year Show will see Australia’s best seasoned and first year horses and ponies compete for what has become a prestigious title on the Australian show calendar.

“It is fitting that the Barastoc Horse of the Year Show be the first to develop a Super Saturday program, having introduced the now common Show and Working Hunter classes and the Newcomer Championships, for first season saddlehorses, to the Australian show scene,” Mr Pratt said.

This year’s program will see Led Horses, Junior Classes, two of the Leading Rein Classes and the First Ridden on Thursday, 13 February with the Owner Rider classes on that evening. Friday, 14 February offers the preliminary heats and finals class for the Newcomer Saddle Horses that were first introduced to the Australian show scene in 1994 at the Barastoc HOTY Show. The Show Hunters, both Newcomer and Open, Senior Saddle Horses, a further Leading Rein class, the prestigious Champion Rider classes and the Gahan Trophy are also all on this day.

The Show Hunter Hack classes, a popular evening spectacle with crowds, will again be held in the Indoor Arena on the Friday night.

Saturday’s new program will see the final Leading Rein class, Performance Ponies, Sport Horses, Pony Dressage and the all important heats and finals for the Open Saddle Pony, Galloway and Hack of the Year all taking place ahead of the Barastoc International Challenge event on the Saturday night. This year there is a Movie Theme for the evening, so ensure you book your tickets early so that you don’t miss out.

The Breed Extravaganza (Sunday, 16 February) will welcome classes for more than 8 breeds in both led and ridden sections. Both the Australian Pony Stud Book Society and Welsh Pony & Cob Society are conducting their Pony Of The Year shows. Add into that the Riding Pony Stud Book Society, Pintos, Arabians, Buckskins, Palominos, Native Ponies, Working Hunters, HRCAV Saddle Horses and the Carriage Driving - it will be a day not to be missed.

Judges for this year’s event will include renowned guests from the United Kingdom and highly esteemed Australian showing masters. A full judges list will be available on the website prior to the close of entries.

Entries for the 2014 Barastoc Horse of the Year Show are open now via Nominate - http://www.nominate.com.au and entries close on Tuesday, 31 December.

See the full competition schedule in the PDF below

To keep up with the latest Barastoc HOTY news, like ‘Barastoc Horse of the Year’ on Facebook. Join in the online conversation on social media using #BarastocHOTY

Quick Link

• Show horses for sale on Horsezone