The event had a big show atmosphere with international riders from NZ, Ross Smith and Sam Macintosh and riders present from VIC, NSW, ACT and QLD. The classes were well represented with big numbers in all classes across the board.

The Omega Feeds Sue Alden Memorial Grand Prix was a Tough 1.40-145m track built by New Zealand Course designer Kevin Hansen. Several horses jumped clear rounds with first round clears coming from some relatively green Grand Prix combinations, Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug, Natalie McNeil and Vasandro, Jess Brown and Casco and Clem Smith and Guru. In the end there was only one double clear coming from the man of the moment, and winner of the past three Grand Prix classes over the last three weekends, Jamie Kermond riding Jess Barton's Lamaze. Not a bad effort seeing Kerm has won those three Grand Prix's on three different horses.

The Mini Prix was used as a Grand Prix warm up class and was conducted on Friday afternoon, this worked well and could be adopted by other show organisers. It was a nice 1.35m track and gave all the Grand Prix horses a chance to see the indoor arena. The class provided an exciting jump off and was won by the always competitive pair of Nic Cararro and Colombo.

Other winners in the indoor included Kate Hitchens winning the Young Rider Championship on the awesome Not Over, and the 1.25m on the Friday on LH Annie Elka. The Junior Championship was won by the exciting new combination of Maddi Sinderberry and, previously Clare Anderson's, Brekko. Clem Smith from QLD won the 1.20 Championship on Florina and as usual was very competitive all weekend placing in most classes. The 1.30m championship was won by Jess Brown and Yirrkala Zakyra.

Although the outdoor classes were affected by the week of wet weather and were rather muddy, in most sections the footing was excellent and on most grounds jumping would have had to be simply abandoned. It however did provide some comedy watching coaches and parents trying to do practice jumps without getting filthy, a towel over your shoulder for wiping your hands became an essential part of warm up equipment.

The always tough to win Ameteur was won by the lovely Steph Fenn and with other good wins in ring 2 coming from Maddi Sinderberry, Kirstie Wilson, Dale Frew, Barry Barton, Megan Harper, Jordon Pryor, Brooke O'Halloran, Robyn Parker, Emily Pursehouse, Annabelle Hall and Terrie Kolb.

Many thanks needs to go to the show organisers who despite the weather conditions worked all weekend to ensure the show ran smoothly, finished before dark (most nights) and made sure that the jumping was safe and enjoyable. It was good too see many competitors travelling such long distances to support the show. It was my first time competing at ALEC in Tamworth and I'm looking forward to the next show there.

See PDF below for full results.

Report: David Cameron  Photo: Furdography

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