80th Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout awarded

Australia’s most prestigious female equestrienne event, the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout, has today been awarded to Shae Hanger from Pearcedale in Victoria on a former racehorse called Chosen One at the 2014 Royal Melbourne Show. 

Conducted annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), 35 talented riders competed for the highly sought after accolade, which is in its 80^th year.

It was significantly special for Miss Hanger to win her second Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout title, which is held in memoriam of her great-great aunt Violet Murrell who was an accomplished rider and jockey, who tragically died at age 29 while trying to save her three-time Royal Melbourne Show champion saddle horse, ‘Garryowen’, from a stable fire in 1934.

“It is a great honour to win the Garryowen it its 80^th year, especially because the event is so close to my family’s heart.  We bought Chosen One, a former racehorse, 12 months ago and we are very proud of what we have achieved in such a short time,” said Miss Hanger.

As the winner of the Garryowen, Miss Hanger received a 9carat gold diamond encrusted pin valued at $2,000 and generously donated by Sally Murrell-Rich with a custom designed glass dining-ware set from Marguerite Dore, both grandnieces of Mrs Murrell; a watercolour portrait of the winning horse; a garland and a replica of the perpetual Garryowen trophy.

Second place was awarded to Miss Stephanie Barrington and her horse SLM Orlando.

RASV CEO Mark O’Sullivan congratulated this year’s winner and said the esteemed event continued to attract some of Australia’s finest female riders.

“On behalf of the RASV, I would like to congratulate Miss Shae Hanger in winning the 2014 Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout.

“The Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout is one of the feature equestrienne events during the Royal Melbourne Show each year and continues to attract new and accomplished riders.  This event grows year on year and with its rich history the RASV is honoured to have presented it over the course of 80 years,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Rose McEvoy and her horse HB Beautiful Encounter were awarded third place.

Other sash winners included Heidi Pickstock on DP Amazing in fourth place, Kristin White riding The Russian in fifth place and Penny Ahearn with Montilla in sixth place.

The event is open to female riders aged 18 years and over and a panel of six experts judged each rider and horse on conformation and soundness; manners and paces; saddlery; costume; riding ability; and general appearance.

The Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout was part of the Royal Melbourne Show’s dedicated turnout day, which also included the Esquire, John Lithgow, J. Pemberton and K.G Luke turnouts.

The Royal Melbourne Show’s Horses in Action program continues tomorrow with Showjumping from 8:00am.