From the AWHA Victorian Branch President ...
I would like to express my thanks to our Victorian Committee Kylie Stephenson, Mary McBurnie, Rayne Lindsay, Sheree Scott, Sam Marshall and Robyn Jones for their hard work in putting together a wonderful Show. We enjoyed a great spirit of camaraderie as we worked until after 1.30 am on Saturday night to decorate the arena in readiness for the first class on Sunday morning. The decorations looked sensational in the distinctive yellow and gold theme that is unmistakably the AWHA.
Mary McBurnie asked me to pass on an extra special thankyou to Lilly and Taryn who were 'angels' staying up on Saturday night to help with the decor and then helping all day Sunday. Mary said "I was so busy that I did not get their surname or other details, they were absolutely wonderful and I hope that they know how much we all appreciated their help."
From left - Former AWHA Vic. President Kim Martin (neeThurling), Mary McBurnie, Georgia Calvert (President)
and Rayne Lindsay
Thank you to our Judges Mr Gerhard Thele (Oldenburg Verband, Germany) Anne Smith (Sunbury Lodge, and Eva De Richebourg (4 Aces). Competitors and spectators alike valued the Judges' expertise and the transparency of the judging system where the marks for the various components of the class are revealed on a card and then totaled to find the class winner. Everyone can follow the progress of each horse and the system is fair, impartial and transparent to all.
Eva De Richebourg, Anne Smith and Mr Gerhard Thele
Thankyou to Kees Wientjens (Flowervale Stud) and Lauren Robson who judged the Material Classes. Thankyou again to Dr Barbara Burrows for her tireless efforts to make the Dressage events possible. Barbara accepts the entries arranges the judges and finalises the draw then works to make the day flow ... almost single handed. This aspect of our show creates a lot of organising, but, like Barbara we all recognise that this is an important opportunity for Victorian breeders and enthusiasts to showcase their future 'performance' stars.
Avril Williams headed up the scoring team, without them there is NO competition so a big thankyou to everyone who helped behind the scenes.
Without our Sponsors and Volunteers, the day would not be possible so we sincerely thank them for their participation and interest in Australian Warmbloods.
Finally I would like to thank the Breeders/Owners for bringing their beautiful babies along for they are what the show is all about. We hope that more and more people will make this the chance to get their young horses, breeding stock and performance horses out and show them to others who are interested in comparing bloodlines and the characteristics which are being produced in the breeding programs of our members. More so than ever before, we are using frozen semen stallions and the best way to assess them is to see what they produce! We would hope that our members and all Warmblood horse enthusiasts will make our Gala Day a highlight in their event calendar and the perfect place to show us their lovely horses and keep in touch with the trends.
I would like to make special mention of the winners of the "High Point Awards" - these special prizes are for horses registered with other breed societies and recognises not only quality but the spirit of co-operation that we feel benefits the breeders and owners in Australia.
CJP Donnerkohl and Jenny Bray won the highest scoring ridden horse. Jenny had a very successful day and her outstanding ridden performance served to remind us all that the training is as important as the breeding - well done Jenny.
The beautiful chestnut mare Kingsvale Bella Donna, owned by Sally Ferber won the highest scoring led AWHA-registered horse. Congratulations we were very proud to see this quality being presented and shown under the AWHA name.
Flowervale Ferro Lena bred, owned and shown by Kees Weintjens was the highest scoring ISSA registered horse.
Willi Knauss' lovely Klassik Amaparo was the highest scoring Hanoverian (HHSA) registered horse.
Finally I would like to congratulate all competitors on the quality of their horses and the effort that went into their beautiful presentation. Many positive comments were directed to the officials and committee and we are gratified to see the quality getting better each year.
I have a feeling that it will not be too far away that an Australian bred Warmblood will be placed in the top 10 at an 'international' event. Then the rest of the world will sit up and take notice of the outstanding horses from 'down under'!
Good luck to all, we look forward to seeing you all at our next show in October.
Georgia Calvert
AWHA Vic. President.
