2015 Royal Melbourne Show

Ava Halloran rode her mother, Alannah Halloran's, 'Gem Park Socialite' to win the class for Child's Show Hunter Galloway 14.2-15hh and go on to claim the Child's Show Hunter Galloway Championship.

Stephanie Barrington is getting in to the successful swing of things early at Melbourne Royal this year. Steph rode Lucinda Laird's well performed, 'Allambie Park Staccato' by Royalwood Boy Soprano to win the class for Novice Galloway 14.2-15hh and claim the Best Novice Galloway award. Steph has a big two days ahead of her.

Luke Hooker rode Jodi Dalgleish's beautiful, 'Monrose Park Music Man' by Royalwood Boy Soprano to win the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Successful exhibitor, Libby Greshner rode her, 'Beauparc Glitteratti' to win the class for Novice Show Hunter Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Jackie Hill rode her own and Matt Bourke's Thoroughbred, 'The Squirrel' to win the class for Novice Show Hunter Galloway 14.2-15hh and go on to take out the Best Novice Show Hunter Galloway award and an impressive double by also claiming the Champion Show Hunter Galloway award with the former racehorse.

Sarah McMaster stepped aboard the Benton and Benton-Hall Family's well performed, 'Moniceito Park Royal Flush' to take out the Child's Galloway Championship.

Hannah Bufton rode her, 'Gordon Park Masquerade' to make it an experienced Child's Galloway Championship. Hannah and the Child's 14-14.2hh winner claimed the Reserve Champion award.

Well known and successful Melbourne Royal exhibitor, Michelle Paynter rode her lovely, 'Grandeur Heart N Soul' by Janevelyn Hearts On Fire to win the class for Novice Hack 15-15.2hh.

Chelsea and Sophie Koostra's, 'Rosevale Design' took third place in the class for Novice Hack 15-15.2hh.

Riley Kent as always is having a great show. He rode the GC Equestrian and Sarah Ryan, 'Dicavalli Royal Gianni' to win the class for Child's Show Hunter 15-16hh and go on to take out the Child's Show Hunter Horse Championship. Riley was declard Champion Intermediate Rider 15 and under 18 years yesterday

Rachelle O'Connor rode her own and Natalie O'Connor's, 'DP Cobolt' to win the class for Novice Show Hunter Horse 15-16hh and claim the Best Novice Show Hunter award.

Alexandra Jones from Wyong Creek in NSW rode her delightful and good working , 'MP Toystory' by Rothwell Toy Town to win the class for Child's Hack 15-15hh.

Laura Shaw rode her, 'Daly Downs Trend' to win the class for Novice Hack 15-15.2hh.

Abby Heffer's, 'Set In Diamonds' was one of the nicest Novice Hacks to contest the classes today. The mare took third place in the class for Novice Hack 15.2-16hh.

Francesca Christie and Jillian Russell's, 'Eye Of The Tiger' NZ is the most impressive Novice horse we have seen at Melbourne Show for some time. The gelding by Anabaa raced as Relentless Lad and was very successful on the track, winning about nine country Cups. Francesca has had the horse for about two years that had a brief but unsuccessful run at Canberra Royal in February.

Vienna Smith had a good day in the ring with the Habel, Smith and Van de Pavert nomination, 'Varekai'. The Kingston Rule gelding was second in the Novice 16-16.2hh Hack class and later in the day claimed the Child's Hack Reserve Championship.

Chelsea Bamford rode Genevieve Saunders', 'Triage' NZ to win the class for Child's Show Hunter Over 16hh and take out the Child's Show Hunter Horse Reserve Championship.

Owen Marchant rode Francesca Christie, Melinda Williams and Margo Metters', 'Throne NZ' to second place in the class for Novice Hack Over 16.2hh.

'Da Vinci Code' owned by Clint Bilson and Rachael Cunningham won the class for Novice Hack Over 16.2hh.

Remember all the covered stands at the old Melbourne Royal Showgrounds? This is what passes for under cover these days; it is a case of BYO Shelter. After a fine morning the day turned wet and cold. Of course it did, it is after all Melbourne in September.

Rain, no matter how hard will not keep Briony Payne from posting a winning ride. Briony rode Jeremy Robert's, 'KP Melody' to win the class for Open Lightweight Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Is Simon Deleeuw popular, or is it the umbrella? Of course the successful rider is popular, but it was raining etc.

Poor Fiona Kittson-Walsh copped the worst of the afternoon rain, but it could not keep her from riding her own and the Romsey Park nomination, 'Langtree Royal Affair' to win the class for Open Heavyweight Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Michael Christie had a wet introduction to the 2015 Royal Melbourne Show. The very successful rider and producer of horses rode Joh Bailey and M & J Bowden's, 'Royalwood Looking Glass' to second place in the class for Open Heavyweight Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Sue Thompson rode her own and the Romsey Park nomination, the super successful, 'Royalwood Opening Night' (by Royalwood Boy Soprano) to win the class for Open Lightweight Galloway 14.2-15hh. They went on to claim back to back Melbourne Royal Galloway Championships.

As the weather cleared a little, Michael Christie was back in the ring, this time with the Daisy patch Stud and Joh Bailey's nomination, 'Daisy Patch Toy Story' by Rothwell Toy Town to win the class for Open Heavyweight Galloway 14.2-15hh.

Adam Oliver rode the GC Equestrian and Barbara Barr nomination, the beautifully presented, 'Toleia Park Night Devine' by Turberry Tom Kitten imp. to second place in the class for Open Heavyweight Galloway 14.2-15hh. They went on to win the Gent's Galloway class and from there they took out the 2015 Melbourne Royal Galloway Reserve Championship.

Briony Payne rode the splendid, Burns and Banks nomination, 'Wesswoods Magic Caste' to win the always hotly contested class for Lady's Galloway.

Sarah Ryan rode hr own and the GC Equestrian nomination, the beautiful, 'Holly's Galaxy' to second place in the class for Open Lightweight Galloway 14.2-15hh.

Nicole Riemer's very well performed, 'Meteor Showers' claimed the Show Hunter Galloway Reserve Championship