It was great to see the numbers returning and the quality of horses on the improve!  This is the first year since the 1980's that the spectators out-numbered the exhibitors and this trend created a great atmosphere and room for optimism about the interest in breeding and bloodlines.

At the 2006 event,  we saw four of the breed societies combine to make it a bigger and better show ... and this year it would seem that people got behind the spirit of goodwill and bought their horses and friends out to enjoy the beautiful horses on display. The Gala Day has coincided with the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia tour and the pro-active HHSA President Cheryl O'Brien facilitated the inclusion of the delightful (and knowledgeable) Dr Jochen Wilkens to form part of the judging panel for the day.  Dr Wilkens was the Breeding Manager and General Manager of the Hanoverian Verband for 24 years and is a stallion licensing judge, mare performance test judge, mare show judge, and foal selector for both foal shows and auctions, and it was a wonderful opportunity to gain some insight into what we should be looking at when breeding Hanoverian horses.

Axel Wright attended the event for the ACE Group and Kees Weintjens, the President for ISSA was present showing horses.

The hardworking Committee of the AWHA (Vic Branch), in particular Mary McBurnie must be congratulated on a job well done and giving all Warmblood breeders, owners and fanciers the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful horses in Australia.

Pictured right is Mary McBurnie and Sam Mitchell - AWHA (Vic) Committee members.

It was pleasing to see the spectator numbers well up and this shows that the attention to a comprehensive program, interesting and well planned arena decor and good media coverage have all started to make a difference to the interest in breed classes.  This is where the future stars are likely to be first seen and it is a great day for enthusiasts.

The classes did not cater for stallions specifically and perhaps this was a prudent decision as so many of the lovely young horses coming up the ranks are by the best stallions in Europe, via frozen semen,  I always enjoy seeing the boys and the demonstrations by Axel Renz with his outstanding PSI import - Royal Hit and also Samantha Bartlett on her wonderful chestnut stallions, Gershwin E and Weltwunder E. 

Axel is a master at handling horses and we were wowed and dazzled by the power and grace of the Royal Hit - who is a half brother to the 'man of the moment' Sandro Hit and closely related to Diamond Hit. Royal hit is only in Australia for two years and after that he will return to his owner Paul Schoekemohle at PSI in Germany.  Axel and his partner Kerry operate Bloomfield Park in the Gippsland area of Victoria.

Above and right - Royal Hit
Axel invited people to come down onto the arena and take a close look at Royal Hit.  I am sure the insurance companies would have taken a deep breath ... however, the stallion was a perfect gentleman and would have won many fans.  I could hear conversations about mares visiting this lovely boy in the coming breeding season - Well done Bloomfield Farm.

Sam Bartlet did a great job with her stallions and confirmed her respect as a rider and expert trainer.  It is a real juggling act to manage a busy life as a wife and mum (Sam has a toddler named Olivia) along with the demands of coaching, instruction, horses in work and her own riding and competitions ... and then standing two stallions at stud.  She certainly confirms that when you want to get a job done, ask a busy person to help!

Above - Samantha Bartlett and Gershwin E, a stallion who has made his mark in breed classes and in open Dressage competition.
Above and right Weltwunder E
Samantha Bartlet and Weltwunder E  (by Weltmeyer) wave goodbye to the appreciative and knowledgeable crown who loved their performance and recognised the training involved.

I spoke to very successful competitor Judy Smith about her feelings on the format running of the event.  She said ...

"Well of course, I could not be more pleased with Tess (Comtessa, her imported State Premium mare who has a great day and really impressed Dr Wilkens, pictured above receiving her Hanoverian Highpoint Award)." 

"Basically, I want to thank the AWHA for running such an important event. Our breeders need this opportunity not only to show their youngsters but also to give these up and coming sporthorses exposure in a relaxed atmosphere. With competitions like this we are giving young horses a good grounding to be able to reach their full potential as competition horses. The same principle which we are applying to our young riders.

Judy said "The sponsors were fantastic.  Flora and the other owners came around the evening of the show and commented on the lovely trophies and prizes - it was not expected, but much appreciated and goes to making the show very special!"S

The judges, Dr Wilkens, Michelle Hicks and Colin Gronn, were always professional and approachable, despite  a very long day. Cheryl O'Brien did a wonderful job volunteering as ring steward at the end of a long Hannoverian classification tour. Bruce and Debbie Williams  put in a sterling effort. Also Dr Barbara Burrows, Mary Mc Burnie, Marion Warren and Julie Smout with all their helpers. They all made the day a friendly relaxed day. The atmosphere was enhanced by having hard working photographers, including Berni Saunders, present throughout the day.

As a follow on from Judy's comments, I would like to acknowledge the spirit of teamwork that made the day possible.  The catering was sensational and special thanks to all those who made the judges and officials feel welcome. Julie Smout and her husband Andrew backed up committee person Robyn and Julie's mum was a breath of fresh air with her wonderful 'country hospitality' (sorry that I did not catch her name and also apologies for the bad picture, she was snapped as I focused on a horse parading by the hospitality area!

As mentioned by Judy, Bruce and Debbie Williams were a great team keeping the commentary and information flowing.  In particular Bruce sense of humour and knowledge of the subject matter made him a perfect man for the job on the microphone - I would expect more engagements of this nature to come his way.  Without the concentration and efforts of the score keeper - the day would be meaningless - Caroline is pictured here hard at work.

Julie & Andrew Smout helped committee person Robyn ... and had fun!!!