Judge Mr. Mike Smith, Queensland.

Class 8: Pony 12 hands and under, Ridden by a child 10 years and under.

The 'littlies' did a wonderful job with their Show Hunters. The ponies were all turned out to perfection, with a lot of help from the team of 'show mums' who were all standing by with last minute instructions and words of comfort.  The Championship went to Number 193 Cherrytree Apple Blossom owned by Anne Baker and capably ridden by Amy Cleland (see Di Gatehouse's story). The Reserve ribbon to Dalangle Aladdin ridden by Pip Rounds for his owner Phoebe Lucas.

Class 9: Pony, over 12 and not over 13 hands, Ridden by a child 12 years and under.

The larger ponies certainly showed the same outstanding quality as the previous class, and I would just have hated the job of picking the finalists out of this huge group.   The mostly two extra years experience stood the riders under 12 years, in good stead.  Interestingly nearly all of the kids handled the gallop section of the workout with truly admirable confidence and a 'go for it' approach that really involved the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers.  Unfortunately, I did notice a number of young riders mismanaging the use of the curb rein which caused resistance and lack of harmony in some performances - it is a pity that judges (by their placing's) give rise to the use of equipment that requires much more skill than could, reasonably be expected from a rider under 12 years, and of course the ponies are the ones to suffer.  I do not believe that this is teaching riding skills or a  commitment to correct training and horsemanship.
The Championship was well deserved and went to the grey Number 1069 Hazelmere Quintessa owned and well ridden by Robyn Barry with the Reserve to J.Cleland's   Anderlock Glass Slipper very well ridden by Fran Cleland's grand-daughter Amy Cleland.  I enjoyed ponies being so capably ridden by suitably mounted jockeys   These classes give the youngsters an opportunity to compete on equal terms with ponies that would sometimes have an older, much more experienced rider up.

Class 10: Pony over 13 and not over 14 hands, Rider 16 years and under.

413 owned by Judith Hawkins was Janlyn Lisa-Marie. This large pony was ridden by L. Ellery.   This pony has lovely movement with a particularly nice canter.
Next to go was Number 469 Kingsfred Brigader, A lovely pony and most suitable type to contest this class - he was very obedient and the crowd showed their approval enthusiastically.
Amy Coad was next to go on her own Brown/Brown gelding, Number 216 Coroglen Sebastian.  They gave a pleasing performance but her curb was a right angles to the ground implying either a poorly adjusted chain or too hard hands, either way the pony was uncomfortable and showed his displeasure for a disappointing result.
968 the grey, owned by S. Ritchie - Western Park Poet looked very hot (and I am sure that the rather 'airless' indoor arena was about 50 degrees, so this was quite understandable.  His discomfort made him resistant in his work but he redeemed himself with a perfect final halt (he probably appreciated being able to STOP.  His capable rider was N. Reimer.
Hazelmere Willow - Number 372 was ridden by owner Emily Swaffield.   The lovely liver chestnut with two gleaming white stockings behind is such a versatile pony with lovely conformation.  He was a little lacking in today's gallop phase.
Previous successful in the Working Hunter class was the bay, Number 56 Aura Vale Jacob owned and ridden by young Stephanie McDonald who gave a lovely demonstration of obedience and manners (the ponies, not hers!)
Next to go is the liver chestnut with the flaxen main and tail - Coolbreeze Springtime.  He carries the number 1051 and his owner rider Nicole Saligari through a very pleasing workout the includes a heart stopping gallop.
Another liver chestnut Number  469, Kingsfred Brigader are next.   Owner Charyn Steele must have been well pleased with his polished workout which finished with a very correct, square halt.
Laura Thomas riding her own Number 370 - Hazelmere Uppercrust was another combination to show their versatility having competed earlier in the Working Hunter class.   They really impressed the knowledgable crowd with a change of rein with a perfectly executed flying change and an enthusiastic gallop.
597 was a very softly moving bay ridden by the experienced Katrina Metherall, who no doubt, is trained by the pony's owner and her mum Rosemary.  Mirinda Royal Ascot pleased me with his 'dressage like' workout which ended with a perfect halt, square and still. This excellent workout was rewarded with the Reserve championship.
The Championship sash, garland and rug went to 372, the chestnut Hazelmere Willow, ridden by Emily Swaffield.

Class 11: Galloway, Rider any age.

By now the indoor has become VERY HOT and VERY DUSTY.  Again the job of picking the semi finalists to go into the top ten must have been a daunting job for the judge, Mr. Mike Smith. (who stayed friendly and happy throughout the very hot day)
Proving the popularity of these events is easy when you look at the 53 entries for this class. The first to work from the selected group was Number 267      This lovely 'up in front' bay performed a nice workout that showed his free movement, and they 'let it go' with a fantastic gallop to finish.
Next to go was the liver chestnut No. 603 Miss Fetish ridden and owned (along with wife Francesca) by the very capable Michael Christie.  This galloway has a lovely topline and works in an equally pleasing frame.  They put in a stirring gallop which pleased the crowd, judging by the applause from all over.
Coloured horse Number 387 was Maryanne Pengelly's Ice'N'Fire.  Unfortunately she spoilt the horse's chances by including rider errors.  He does have a lovely canter and performed well at the gallop but got tangled up towards the end and the final work was a little messy.
Number 100 was Lisa Kellock's Belaradah Royal Rose. This lovely galloway took my eye - chestnut with 4 white stockings and a lovely expressive trot.  Most of the work was smooth and to standard, but they did get a little muddled after the gallop and this spoilt the judges final impression.
1106 My Madison ridden by Melissa Benallack.  While this workout contained no real mistakes, it lacked the sparkle necessary to take home the garland.
Karen Fishers Number 721 Prost was next to go.  The Bay, baldy faced Prost seemed a little spooky - but who could blame him in the trying conditions - The final gallop lacked the enthusiasm of the best here today.
Matchablelli Muffet Number 567, owned and ridden by Debby White.   This horse, another to have gone earlier in the Working Hunters but not having jumped to potential, was given the chance to do better without the obstacles.  His work was very controlled and obedient but it lacked the flamboyance of the best on show.
The well deserved champion to emerge from this large group was Number 287 Dianne McDonald's Erindale Discovery and the Reserve went to Number 603, Michael Christie's Miss Fetish.

Class 12: Horse over 15 and not over 16 hands

Another large class - 40 (not quite so big as the galloways) would have the the elimination round a real 'headache' for the judge who would be very keen to see the best horses with the opportunity to progress into the final.  The indoor arena was now very dusty and very, very hot but the enthusiasm kept spirits up.  I was quite amazed at the difference in the way that the junior handled the gallop compared to the 'oldies'!  The larger horses may have found the indoor going and surface a little bit more of a challenge than the smaller, fleeter footed earlier entrants, but the kids seemed to not only cope with .... but enjoy the gallop phase.
Called in to work first was No. 134 Gary Beaton and Brian Scholes Gbreuje Dancer.   The horse was a little fidgety to start, but well ridden by the very experienced 'showman' Gary Beaton, the horse settled and moved out very well to show a great gallop (I guess this means that Gary is just a kid at heart!!)  Gary told me later that the horse raced until November last year and had many starts.  He said that he is a lovely horse to work with and will certainly go on with his show career.
Number 57 Pir Taylor on Austentatious This is a lovely framed horse and was extremely well ridden.  There were no real mistakes and the harmony between horse and rider were apparent.  They went on to become the Champions of this class.
437 Kandos impressed me much more as a Show Hunter than over the jumps.   He came into the ring in such a soft flowing trot with a lovely knee action and clear expressive jump in the canter work.  He did need to extend more in the gallop to best 'the best' of them today, and I am sure that his rider Jackie White will attend to this detail in her training sessions.
Snapshot Number 807 was fidgety when standing for the judges inspection prior to the commencement of their workout.  Sarah Bell who owns and rides this horse did everything right to complete a neat mistake free exhibition that brought them into Reserve placing overall.
877 is Sally Thomas' Tickets.  A lovely liver chestnut who seemed a little overwhelmed by the heat, the dust and the crowd, this caused his work to be hollow and lacking flow.
The bay, Shine ridden by Vanessa Andrew and Number 788 were next to go from this final group of small hunter hacks.  They made a very enthusiastic entry but spoilt the first impression by a reluctant start to the workout.  Overall they lacked the polish of other in the class.
Another bay but this time with one long white stocking behind was Number 131 Boy London ridden by owner Penny Grennhill, this is a lovely type with neat very adequate movement but he became muddled in the canter and the gallop was too conservative.
Myra Paton riding Number 800 Silver Chief were in for their 'go'.   This horse appeared wonderfully kind and obliging, however he lacked in his extensions and other work was modest.  He and rider were not always in balance.
The very pretty bay with a snip on his nose that 'just makes him' were next at Number 180.   He was Georgina Haythorpe's Centennial Park.  He was a little 'above himself' to do his best work and whilst he showed his wonderful trot, he just did NOT want to canter.  The gallop was in fact a strong canter and inadequate.
The white faced bay Number 806 Smokin Santa went kindly for his owner/rider Stephanie Jennison, and although there were no real mistakes there were no real highpoints of their performance.  It lacked enthusiasm and sparkle.
The well deserved champions for this class - Austentatious capably ridden by Pir Taylor and the Reserve went to Snapshot.

Class 13:  Horse over 16 hands, Rider any age.

This is another very large class of entries - 40 and by now (9.30 pm), after a very hot and tiring day, there are a few scratchings. The indoor school is now almost 'foggy' with dust and this makes an individual appraisal of the workouts difficult so I will give you the Champion, which was number 782, Senna, owned by Chad Cuncliff and ridden by Karen Fisher and the Reserve was Valmont Tradition, ridden by Becky Allen.

It was a very long day in the inaugural Working Hunter and Show Hunter classes at the 31st. Barastoc Horse of the Year Show, but the comments from judges, spectators and competitors has been very positive, and I am sure that this part of the program is here to stay.