Ridley AgriProducts Pty. Ltd., manufacturers of Barastoc horse feeds, is proud to have been associated with the Barastoc Horse of the Year Show for 31 years. and I am confident that this year will set an even higher standard for successful BARASTOC'S into the new millennium.

It is a source of justifiable pride to every competitor simply to have qualified for "BARASTOC" and I trust that everyone will enjoy a wonderful weekend's competition.  I look forward to congratulating those competitors who are successful in winning a place in this 31st. Anniversary BARASTOC Horse of the Year......Mr. John Aird,  General Manager -  Ridley AgriProducts Pty. Ltd.

BARASTOC'S Equine Nutritionist, Elizabeth Owens had a very busy three days in the RidleyAgriProducts tent answering thousands of questions about horse nutrition, and giving out samples from the wide range of BARASTOC and STABLMASTER horse feeds.  She said that she cannot remember so many people attending a BARASTOC Show, and it was a true testament to the popularity of the event, as Melbourne endured scorching temperatures near 40 degrees on the Friday and Saturday.  She also felt that this event allowed people to come in to the Ridley stand and ask questions about modern feeding and equine performance.

Liz is certainly extremely well qualified to advise from a professional and practical viewpoint as Liz is also a Grand Prix Dressage competitor riding her beautiful Trakehner stallion Legal Tender.  Legal Tender won the Australasian final of the FEI International Challenge in 1997, and he has gone on to compete very successfully at the highest level.

...............................

The organisation and hours work that goes into an event such as BARASTOC Horse of the Year is absolutely huge, and it requires people who have 'done it before' and are not afraid of the three months of mayhem that lead up the running of show of this enormity.

The Victorian Branch of the EFA are indeed fortunate to have President Reg Cleland and his 'powerhouse organiser' wife, Fran take on the BARASTOC 'baby', as their own, and bring the hundreds of people needed to turn the event into clockwork organisation, together.

This is my first BARASTOC as a helper - I have had the pleasure of involvement as a competitor, and I would never have guessed just what it takes to get the 'show on the road'.  By the end of three days, I was absolutely exhausted,  and it seemed that every time throughout the three days that I looked up Fran was rushing about ensuring that competitors who were carrying dressage whips (against the rules laid down in the program) were informed before they were eliminated.  Reg seemed to have been able to take on a couple of 'clones' as he seemed to be in the indoor school on the microphone, one minute, and almost simultaneously over at ring 1 (the polo field) taking care of some organisation detail.  They are the backbone of the BARASTOC Horse of the Show.

Fran and Reg are both extremely grateful to the sponsors who support the show, and this extremely comprehensive report has been done as a first, in order to give all sponsors but in particular BARASTOC an on going benefit for their support.  The Internet is a truly unique medium in that it allows a virtually limitless reporting style and so we are able to give a detailed account of many of the classes and many more photographs than the conventional show reports, and the 2000 BARASTOC Horse of the Year Show will remain in our Results archive for many, many years.   We know that people interested in participating future year's events will access the 2000 report in order to learn more about the requirements, standards, workouts etc.  

It would be remiss not to mention the wonderful venue for the 31st. Anniversary BARASTOC Horse of the Year Show - The National Equestrian Centre, Werribee Park.  It would be difficult to imaging a more suitable or well appointed showground and riders were treated to the very rare privilege of 'a go' on the beautifully manicured Polo field.  The huge expanse of green turf set of the beautiful horses and ponies and made for many wonderful 'photo opportunities' for the many pforessional equestrian photographers and hobbyist looking for album memorabilia.  The whole expanse of the Werribee Park Equestrian facility had a competition ring set up on it from the Polo field to way over the other side which is usually reserved for the Werribee Pony Club.  The 'off bounds' lawn between the indoor arena and the old stable block became the spot to see the cutest collection of miniature horses and ponies.  The equines appeared to be very much a part of the human families and were seen tethered to picnic tables with their noses in very close range of the salad bowls. 

The show had something for everyone, the first Barastoc for the new millennium has two new sections which are sure to gain popularity.  Firstly a full program of hunter classes and owner/rider classes which ensure that the hundreds of non professional riders enjoy an 'equal playing field' in these events. With the innovative programming that has been initiated by Fran Cleland, future BARASTOC HOTY shows will continue the development of the 'legendary' Australian horsemen and horsewoman.

If we have missed some classes, we do apologise,  it has been an enormous job and man(woman) power did get the better of our very best intentions to cover absolutely everything!