Victorians Gallop to Success in Show Horse Spectacular

Sarah Berry's three time (hat trick!) winning Langtree Masterpiece, with Greg Mickan in the saddle, who took out the Small Show Hunter Galloway (14 – 14.2hh) Championship, sponsored by Carona Park. (Photo courtesy of: Angie Rickard Photography)

The Victorian Show Horse team has swept the pool at the 2013 Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships, winning 10 of the 19 Championship classes on offer over the two day event, held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (WPNEC) and hosted by Equestrian Victoria (EV). 

This year’s competition saw some of Australia and New Zealand’s best show horses and riders represent their state in Leading Rein, Rider, Show Hunter and Open Horse classes.

Event Director, Fiona Mardling congratulated all riders and horses on their success throughout the two days of competition, recognising the extensive travel distances competitors and their support teams made to compete at the event.

“The Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships recognises Australia and New Zealand’s best show horses and riders from the current season. Beyond the competition arena, we are proud that our event has become a celebration of showing excellence but has also become a serious ‘event’ in the true sense of the word and a great way to end the season,” Ms Mardling said.

Neighbouring state South Australia will take home three Champion titles across the border; Leading Rein (for riders 5 and under 8 years),  Boutique Stables Small Show Hunter Hack and the Small Hack Championship, sponsored by Dreamtime Park.  Queensland (Physiohealth Junior Rider 12 years and under) Western Australia (Debanlay & Lyntan Park Training Stables Medium Show Hunter Pony 12hh & ne 13hh) had one Championship winner each while New South Wales had three, Dreamtime Park Large Show Hunter, Horse Deals Large Show Hunter Hack & Manuel Equine Transport Senior Rider.

With 2013 being the first year that the New Zealand team has competed openly with the Australians under the new rules of the Australasian Championships, it was wonderful to see the Medium Pony title, sponsored by Sunliner Motorhomes go to Eastdale Diva, exhibited by the Cadwallader family from New Zealand.

The coveted Large Hack Championship, sponsored by Carona Park, was won by Victoria’s Alex Berwick and Victoria Gorst’s Xlerate, making it back to back titles for the bay thoroughbred gelding by Zabeel. Chicago, owned and ridden by Paul Austin, of Queensland clinched the Runner Up title for 2013.

The success continued for Victoria as Sarah McCormick’s Leanda Hanky Panky won the Small Show Hunter Pony title and Sarah Berry’s Langtree Masterpiece, ridden by Greg Mickan, secured a hattrick to take home its third Carona Park Show Hunter Galloway (14 – 14.2hh) title in as many years which is a wonderful achievement now being rewarded by retirement in the paddock.

Zoe Griffett’s Buckwell Park Delusion, ridden by Darryl Hayes, took home the Small Galloway Championship while Holly’s Galaxy, exhibited by Graham Elliott, ridden by Katrina Kearns, was the winner of the Romsey Park Large Galloway Championship.

Hibrie Xclusive, exhibited by Kaylene McCarthy, ridden by Daniel McNamara, was declared Champion ND Australia Show Hunter Galloway (14.2 – 15hh) and Sally Shaw took home the Mal Byrne Saddlery Intermediate Rider class (13 to 15 years). Lillian McEvoy was sashed The Pageant Champion Intermediate Rider 16 to 17 years, following her win in the event in 2012.

Additionally, Victorian riders and their horses cemented the Championship and Runner Up title for the Argyl Stud Small Pony Championship, with Radford Lodge Sweet Dreams owned by Phoebe Sutton-Kouros, ridden by Zoe Murrayand Radford Lodge Candy Cane owned by Danyel Riemer, ridden by Daizi Plumb respectively.  The Riding Pony Stud Book Society’s Large Pony Championship was won by Vicki Pisciotta’s Kolbeach Aristocrat, ridden by Lynda Hayes.

This year’s competition, beyond the 19 Championships classes taking place in the ring, offered a Breakfast of Champions, Boutique Market Night and Welcome Dinner event as well as the popular ‘Afters Party’ after the final sash had been awarded.

To join the conversation online, follow @EANationals on Twitter and Instagram (#EANationals) and become a fan of ‘EA Show Horse and Rider Championships’ on Facebook.

 

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