Gallery Equine Grand National Championships - New Photos!

The “RIDING PONY STUD BOOK SOCIETY LTD.” (National Committee) Grand National Show Hunter Pony over 12.2hh n/e 14hh Champion: Melody Park Heavenly Pearl – G & C Parker (Photo: SWD Images)

On 15 - 17 April 2011 SIEC hosted the prestigious Gallery Equine Grand National Championships.

520 horses and riders, representing the best in Australia, were entered in the different events that included Saddle Horse, Galloway and Pony; Show Hunter Hack, Galloway and Pony; Leading Rein; and Rider Classes.

All horses had to qualify previously to be eligible to enter, by having won a Champion or Reserve Champion at a Horse of the Year, Royal or Grand National Qualifier Show.  Qualifying for the Grand National Championships is a major achievement in itself and competitors travelled from all over Australia with entries coming from Tasmania, Western Australia, Northern Territory, as well as Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.  It took several people five days just to get to the Show!

Judges for the Grand National Championships, Ms Stephanie Turner and Mr Edward Young both travelled from the UK and were very impressed with the quality of horses presented, saying that Australian horses are generally more refined and elegant than English horses and that the level of presentation shown here exceeded that in the UK. They also noted that our child riders are far more accomplished and involved with their ponies, helping with their care and training and not only riding them in shows.  High praise indeed for our Australian horses and riders!

There were record numbers of spectators in attendance who were treated to a wonderful show, where the horses were ridden not only by their usual riders, but also by the judges!  Ms Turner and Mr Young, both very accomplished riders, picked out horses from each Galloway or Hack class and then rode them to see if they felt as good as they looked.  They then stripped the horses of their saddles and assessed their conformation and movement as a led horse.  Basically the judges were looking for horses they enjoyed riding and liked the look of - a horse they would want to take home!  Following this intensive assessment, the judges picked the Winner and Runner Up, plus elected a Top 10, for each class.

Organiser Leonie Roberts said that there had been positive feedback from competitors about the judges and the show overall, adding, "the competitors liked the fact that the judges are very knowledgeable and come to Australia without preconceived ideas about the competitors - it makes for a very fair show that anyone can win!  We had good numbers in all classes this year with the largest class - 48 entries - being the Rider 12yrs and under 15 yrs (they're so keen at that age!) and the Saddle Horse over 15 n/e 16hh class was also very popular.  The Small Hunter class was well represented and a lot of fun! In addition to a wonderful showing program we also held a very enjoyable buffet dinner on Saturday night, which attracted plenty of people and SIEC were very impressed with the way we decked out the arena for this special event."

Congratulations to all the winners, placegetters and those chosen in the Top 10 of their classes.

CLICK HERE for full results from the show and HERE to view the Horsezone photo gallery.  For more photos visit the Official Photographer's site at www.swdimages.com.au