The
Melbourne Summer Horse Show is now established as part of the post
Christmas holiday activities of horse loving folk from all over Victoria
... and a few from further a field. The event is growing in
popularity and has been conducted at Werribee Park for the past few
years - I understand that this was initially because of the building works which
were taking place at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds in Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.
The 'improvements' to the showgrounds have involved taking some of the
main competition arena to build a 'food court', and demolishing many of
the old (and in need of repair) stables, it seems unlikely that the
original
venue will ever again be able to accommodate the huge entries and meet
the stabling requirements that are needed as part of the
infrastructure for such a horse show.
As a media
outlet, the task of
comprehensive reporting on the many breed classes at this show is not
possible, unless it is just a few highlights.
I have concentrated on a full report on the Warmblood ring rather than
random selection from the many rings that were in progress. I hope that my
report helps to share the experience with those who did not attend.
The classes were judged by Melbourne Veterinarian and
performance horse enthusiast Rohan Luxmore (pictured below).
Rohan is an
accomplished and successful 3 Day Event rider and would have some well established ideas about conformation
and temperament that are likely to facilitate a successful training
program and allow the
horse progress up the grades of their rider's chosen discipline.
His professional involvement was quite obvious in
the way he assessed the horses that were up for consideration. Rohan carefully looked at their conformation, legs and acceptance of
what was going on around them. He would be very aware that serious
conformational faults should be avoided in breeding stock. Most vets
would advise their clients to avoid buying young horses with obvious faults and Rohan seemed to apply this criteria to his selections
for the class winners.
There was a
stand out at this year's Melbourne Royal Warmblood classes - the winner of
the Led Mare Class went on to win the class for Ridden Mares and Geldings,
the imported mare Betty Blue, by Brentano ll from the
Weltmeyer mare Whoopy. Betty was purchased by Judy Smith and Susan
Herbert a couple of years ago when they went to Europe to look at horses
following the tragic loss of their wonderful black gelding Ramazotti.
This beautiful horse left 'very big shoes to fill' and now, with the passing
of some time, the delightful dapple chestnut mare seems to have done it!
Well done to all concerned.
Betty Blue
looks set for a fantastic career in Dressage and maybe she will be
Australia's Brentina, who will take us up the International leaderboard.
Betty Blue - the
outstanding imported Hannoverarian mare by
Brentano ll and out of a mare by the incomparable Weltmeyer.
A delighted Judy Smith from
Clyde (near Berwick) in Victoria
Shows cannot hide her delight when Rohan Luxmore sashes Betty.
Betty impresses as she does
her lap of honour after being awarded
the Championship sash for the 2005 Ridden Warmblood.
Above - the fantastic
Brentina ridden by Debbie McDonald - they were in the USA"s Bronze
medal winning team in Athens --- perhaps Australia has another Brentina?
There is a great deal of similarity in these lovely mares.
If you
are interested in purchasing a photo from this class
or some of the pony pics ...
e-mail Berni for proofs
© Cyberhorse 2005 Berni Saunders
