Judges: 
Mr. Peter McGlinchey NSW  (Jumping)  &   Mr. James Athanasoff NSW (Flatwork)

Class 17:  Working Hunter 12.2

This class received 14 entries, with a few 'no shows' and overall the littlies did a wonderful job under the pressure of riding in the indoor arena at such a big event.  Even at this time in the morning the heat had started to make things uncomfortable.  Poor little Kali Terracall  had a fall from her ride Rhondda Steady Eddie but bravely climbed back on to complete her flat workout.
The Champion was Malibu Park Royalty very capably ridden by Nicole Meissener and Reserve Champion to Kimberley Park Poppette with Tiffany Greenhill, aboard.

Class 16:  Working Hunter 12.2 and not over 14 hands.

The jumps were raised and the last jump raised again - this one was optional, if the riders felt up to it!
First to go was No 126 the grey Boonahburra Black Magic ridden by Jenna Dexter.  This horse had a wonderful style over the jumps and I am sure this could be attributed to an infusion of Connemara blood. 
Next off 608 the palomino Welsh Pony Mithrill Sandman ridden by Josh Clarke.  This pony needed a little too much encouragement to do the job with great style.
Derlwyn Sareena with Kelly Fitzpatrick  again lacked flow and enthusiasm.
Then came No 919 the program says UPUCKANARA and the announcer said the pony was Mithrill Madelaine. I am sure that someone will tell me the correct version, but I really liked the forward and flowing style over the jumps.  
Next,  the well performed event rider Bill Chystianos on Page Boy ll.   This is a beautiful looking pony and very well turned out.  He really appealed to me as he was in beautiful self carriage.
No. 56 Aura Vale Jacob ridden by Samantha Richardson put in a smooth, obedient jump phase and he took every opportunity to show off his lovely big roomy canter.  They became the Reserve Champions.

No. 202 was tiny little Colac resident Max McKay.  His lovely country manners impressed me enormously as he doffed his cap to the judges.  His very cute pinto pony Cinnamon Spice was a show stopper with a polished and correct workout that nearly brought the house down.  I was sitting right next to his mum and dad, Ros and Peter, who looked as proud as punch of young Max & Cinnamon.  They were eventually awarded the Championship for this class.
Lonely Oak Jive Time No. 523 was very strongly and competently ridden by Melissa Ray.
The grey Kingsfred Brigader No. 469 was not forward and his performance was not very convincing.
No. 456 Keppler is owned and ridden by Samantha Richardson.   Who says that Keppler is her VERY favourite pony.  It was easy to see that the pair really get on well by the forward and confident work over the jumps and on the flat.
372 was Hazelmere Willow, the lovely liver chestnut is owned and ridden by Emily Swaffield.  They had a disappointing round knocking a jump which affected the pony's confidence which put them out of contention.

1028 Yarrayong Zephyr ridden by owner Carly Thomas.  Zephyr refused the first jump and then the second making it a ride that poor Carly would have only imagined in her worst dreams.  The pony lost all confidence and the pair retired.
Hazelmere Uppercrust was number 380, a chestnut ridden by Laura Thomas.  It was a mostly flowing exhibition but one refusal is one too many in this quality of competition.
The liver chestnut Mighty Sandy number 588 is owned by Jo Ann Warnock and ridden by Natalie Davies.  The work lacked smoothness and timing and they put in a huge leap over the last optional jump.
The Championship went to the polished performer and junior showman Max McKay on Cinnamon Spice (Number 202) the Reserve Championship to No 56 Aura Vale Jacob.

The flat work judge Mr. James Athasanoff from NSW, was very enthusiastic about how the Working Hunter classes would fit in to the Australian equestrian calendar.  He said "These are outstanding classes for the encouragement and development of the principals of good riding.  All shows should have these classes for kids".  Mr. Athanasoff  also thought there would be some merit in restricting the age of riders on these smaller ponies.

Class 15 Working Hunter over 14 and not over 15 hands

It was lovely to see such a good quality field of galloways in this class and the first to go was number 1005, Penny Barnard-Brown's Wingara Playfair.
Next to go was Number 240 Derlwyn Joshua put in a lovely smooth workout and too the Reserve Champions sash home with him.
Number 910 ridden by his owner Kate Hassell was Tudor Park Travesty. He did not show smoothness and confidence over the jumps and as a result knocked down rails for a disappointing result.

No. 697 was the bay Pazzaz of Rosewood owned and ridden by Abbie Hughes.  While the beginning of their work was just a little shakey the pair really 'got into it' and finished well with an enthusiastic round.  Their efforts were well rewarded with the Championship.

The chestnut Number 100 Belaradah Royal Rose was next to go.   Owned and ridden by Lisa Kellock.
Sirocco, Number 803 ridden and owned by Sandra Knox started in a less than convincing fashion refusing the first jump and further refusals caused their elimination.
Lovely brown galloway Ultimate was next. Number 916 he is owned by Linda Lambden and ridden by Laura Dunk.  He was not forward enough for the job and rider did not appear at home over the jumps (her stirrups were much too long).
1035 was the dapple grey Zenith. Owned by Robert McKay and ridden by Sunday McKay.  Zenith landed awkwardly after the first and this appeared to upset his balance over the next couple.  His rider did a great job to stay on after the huge leap over the second last jump.
Last but not least was Number 567 Matchabelli Muffet ridden by is owner Debby White.  Muffet did not appear to have his jumping style right today and stood back too far with an almighty leap then necessary.  He was probably a little overwhelmed and this fault put them out of the serious placing's.
The Champion was Pazzaz of Rosewood with a very worthy runner up Derlwyn Joshua , Reserve.

Working out at the inaugural Barastoc HOTY Working Hunter Classes
Class 16	Class 16
Class 10	Class 9

Class 14 Working Hunter, over 15 hands.

I was unable to get any clear pics from the last session, due to the dusty conditions and bad light. First to go in the larger class was the very well creditialled Becky Allen, on Number 924 Valmont Tradition who is owned by S Allen and B Cox.  The grey gave a flowing 'foot perfect' workout which could be directly attributed to Becky's skill as a jockey.  The horse appeared to need a little more ground in his flat work.
Touchstone Number 894 was ridden by owner Torina Allen and their work over the jumps was very polished.
1025 was the first of the two rides for Mona Lisa Baldwin.  Yarrabee Cameo is a lovely moving chestnut mare with some warmblood pulsing through her veins.  She did appear nervous which caused her jumping style to be tentative and too big - I am sure the pair could do better without the atmosphere created by the indoor, the crowd and the heat.  Their flat work was not forward enough and the horse was hollow throughout.
The Bay/Brown owned by Melissa Beldi and ridden by Rick Hiole were next.  No. 152 Burnt Sienna was unable to demonstrate correct style over the jumps as every attempt was a hollow leap with the head far too high.  This untidy style gave them little opportunity to make the top placing's.
Katrina Bolmat riding her own bay/brown Number 485, Kirtling.  He is a very bright horse that did quite well until an awkward approach spoilt the last for them.
Next to go was Number 140 Brilliant Choice who is owned by Steven Boulton and ridden by Richelle Boulton,  The baldy faced chestnut that has a very springy trot was just not forward enough but seemed otherwise comfortable with the job.
Weavers Tale Number 954 was ridden by his owner Susan Bufton. The horse appeared hot or tense and a couple of unbalanced approaches caused a disappointing ride for Susan.
Warmblood breeder Julie Conti owns the next horse Number 654, Nightcap. The rider was Catherine Ferguson.  This pretty fine horse appeared distracted and nevertheless managed to clear all obstacles.
246 Discoholic ridden and owned by Steven Gibbons.  Steve's ride was part of a 'family affair' as his wife Libby and daughter Charlotte also rode at the 31st Barastoc HOTY.  For Steve it was not the best ride as the horse's tension caused him to catleap on more than one occasion.
Allyduras Number 20 is owned and ridden by Jessica McMahon. As the horse entered the ring, his noisy gear was quite disturbing.  The horse appeared very fractious (and it seemed that he too was worried by the noise that he was making!)   His distraction and nerves caused the pair to finish without completing their round.
Cindy Morrison riding her own Number 838 Swish, were next to go.   Their performance was as he is named.
1067 Good Tidings is my kind of horse - a pretty chestnut with 4 white socks.  Unlike the previous horse he was not able to deliver to his rider/owner Jan Myers, a namesake ride.
Duke of Battingham No. 566 with owner- rider S. Pelly aboard were next to go.  The horse appeared to be hot and was not listening to his rider which made the job rather too difficult.  Again conditions may have been a factor.
Kylie Penny riding her own Voss, a very pretty brown horse.   Kylie had a few slightly awkward moments but rode very well indeed to keep her mount on track for a Reserve Championship.
Warmblood breeder Leonie Quick rode her own and husband David's Holsteiner bred gelding No.  Isle of Anderson.  This horse appeared a little green, but I am sure that Leonie would not be inadequately prepared, so one must put this down to the heat, the atmosphere and other outside influences.  It would have been a disappointing round for them.
Number 215 Cool Cash with owner Sally Russell aboard was next. The small liver chestnut did not really get into the swing and became unbalanced.  Poor Sally had to make a quick decision about where the horse was headed after one awkward landing and she unfortunately got it wrong and landed heavily.  Jumping riders need to have lots of courage, and that Sally showed by climbing back up, but the horse had his confidence shaken and the pair were eliminated after refusals.
Kandos Number 437 was the one that I would have loved to take home.  A beautifully marked black with 4 white stockings and an attractive blaze.   He can move as well!  But todays jumping round was not flowing forward and this caused some awkward steps and refusals which meant their early departure.
Tracy Lloyd rode Julie Wood's Number 204 Civil Court.  The stylish grey was reluctant from the first jump where they had rails down and refusals.   A similar display on jump two and further refusals meant that they too were eliminated.
878 Time Gallery is owned by B. Young and ridden by Lindy Young who proved herself to be a very good jockey with todays great ride, however she did have her work cut out as the horse was reluctant to go forward and this allowed errors to creep in.
Katrina Bolmat having her second ride, this time on Number 891, her sister Anna's attractive chestnut warmblood by Wunder. Torlea Evaluation demonstrated his dressage training for a lovely workout, but unfortunately a rail down.
544, the second ride for Mona Lisa Baldwin was last to go.  Magnum 2 gave her a smoother and more obedient ride that her Chestnut mare Cameo.  Magnum is a coal black warmblood cross that really showed some talent when he was ridden forward.
The championship went to the excellent ride of Becky Allen on Valmont Tradition and Reserve to Kylie Penny on Voss.

The Jumping Judge was the very experienced Mr. Peter McGlinchey from NSW.  Mr. McGlinchy is one of only a dozen or so Australian International Showjumping Judges.  He gained his qualifications in 1989 and has taken a leading role in the sport of Sowjumping for many years.  Now he role is less of judging and more towards course building.  He was involved with the NSW Pony Club movement for 12 years and was the Chairman of Chief Instructors from 1972 - 1977.
Mr. McGlinchey brings a wealth of experience to the inaugural Working Hunter classes at the 31st. Barastoc Horse of the Year Show.