Preliminary round was judged by:  Mrs. Leanne McDowell,  Queensland.

Top Ten got the attention of all four of the Newcomers classes judges:
Mr. Tom Edwards, Queensland,  Mr. Bruce Flood, NSW, Mr. Darren Telford and Mrs. Leanne McDowell Queensland.

The 31st. Barastoc Horse of the Year Show drew massive entries in all of the show classes, proving that a large number of Australian horse enthusiasts are involved in hacking and show pony classes.  The Preston Motors Newcomers of the year has become a most prestigious event, and many people are now buying and selling ponies - with success at this show being the short term training objective and hopefully the 'springboard' of a bright future in the show ring.    The printed catalogue of entries lists the 32 nominated entries - and while not all started - it was a large class, and included most of the top names - people and ponies!

This mornings qualifying heat was divided into groups - rather like a 'normal' show class, and the judges fancies called in in order to make a class of 'semi finalists' out of which the top ten will be drawn to compete at the final which was judged at 3.00 on Saturday 19th. February.

This years classes of Newcomers events were truly a spectacle, the rings set up on the fabulous expanse of lawn that is usually the 'hallowed' Polo fields - and absolutely 'off bounds' to all other equines.   Several rings were in operation, with the area surrounded by tiered seating hospitality tents, food vans and portable toilets.  Hundreds of spectators were treated to an 'international' quality event (I am told that Barastoc' is in fact the largest horse show in the Southern Hemisphere - what an achievement for Australia, in particular, Victoria).

The workout was printed in the catalogue and the riders expected to have made themselves familiar with the requirements - it looked to me as though some had not really learned the workout, as the ten meter circles were very often inaccurate and in some cases non-existent.  Many of the ponies did not show enough difference between working trot and extended trot    Even in a young horse/pony it is important to show the judge a difference - this may mean a short period where the working trot becomes a little more collected so that a usually modest extension will look to be more expressive.  The more experienced riders seemed to have these points of 'ringcraft' well established in their showing, but others did not give their young horses a chance.

The Judges  expected to see from the lineup - walk away - trot on - serpentine three loops - change rein across the diagonal, extended trot - canter - right circle, 10 meter , canter on - change rein across the diagonal  - change rein through walk - circle left, 10 meters,  change leg, canter right, gallop around the arena, ordinary canter, trot half circle left towards judge, back to walk, halt side on to judges.

Top Ten: 

First to go was Number 821 Stanton Moment in Time owned by R. Butler and A Coxon.

Next in the top ten individual workout was Number 599, Michael and Francesca Christie's lovely grey Mirinda Royal Rose.  The pony mare was very capably ridden by Stephanie Barrington and the work was smooth and flowing

D & S McMahon's Number 504 Leanda Tiger Lily, was very well ridden by Sarah McMahon - who has impressed me with her riding ability. This pony has the name of Alice at home, and I thought that Alice (who is by Keston Royal Occasion) lacked freedom in her paces which diminished the quality and sparkle of this workout. 

Number 276, the liver chestnut with two uneven sox behind and lots of white on his face,  was next.   Merivale Park Celebrity is owned and ridden by Sue-Ellen Crane.  Celebrity is a good fronted pony and put in a terrific gallop in a nice overall performance.

Number 186 Cheraton Renaissance is a Welsh Mountain Pony by Kirreway Rialto .  The chestnut with 3 white sox has the nick name Poppy. The work was neat but lacked star quality.

1127 Tooravale Olivia is owned by Jordan Sassine and ridden today by Katrina Metherall.  Olivia is a section B Welsh by Weston Olympian and has the nick name Libby.  Libby has all of the qualities that I would like to see in a show pony, she is dappled brown with 4 white sox and as cute as ... If I HAD to find a fault, I would like to see more freedom in her movement, but it was a pleasing performance.

Number 53 was next to go Ascot Lisa Marie is APSB and owned/ridden  by Melanie McGuire-Muller. The pony has the nick name Lisa.  There were a couple of small 'faults' I thought that for such a tiny pony she sounded heavy in her footfalls. the work was 'heavy and Lisa seemed reluctant to be forward and light in her response.  It must be difficult to get a competent small rider for such an important show, but I thought that this rider looked too big and this spoiled the picture.

48 Kerry Dunstan from Mirboo North owns Number 548 - Malibu Park Cocoa - A very pretty liver chestnut - cocoa coloured pony with 3 white sox.  Olivia Petty did a superb job as the jockey and the pony stayed round and into the bridle and the work flowed.  Olivia and Cocoa were the eventual winners.

81 Barrington Royal Ensign is owned and ridden by Courtney Powells.  He is nick named Ernie and as pretty as a picture - bright bay with 4 white sox.  Ernie is by Syon Royal Portrait and it was a wonderful workout full of expression, especially in the trot and Courtney should be very proud of herself to make it through to the final at such an important competition.

967 was the last to go in this group (the pony was listed in the larger pony section - so it must have had a change of height!) Weston Park Jag, a chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail with two white stockings behind.  Jag (his stable name) is a Welsh- Riding Pony cross by Weston Jubilee.  He is owned by Helen Leslie and ridden today by Emily Webster.   This pony has a lovely even canter and was very settled and obedient in his work.   Emily did a very good job to show him off.

With the individual workouts for the final ten now completed,  the crowd were very keen to know - and you could almost feel the anticipation - who would be the Year 2000 Newcomers Small Pony of the Year ?  The judges chatted, looked along the line-up, chatted some more, stood back, chatted and finally delivered their verdict to the announcer - The Newcomer Small Pony of the Year is ...

Number 548 Malibu Park Cocoa - the liver chestnut/cocoa coloured pony with three white legs who was so well ridden by Olivia Petty.