Darwin Royal Show 2009

Kellie Faulkner and IDH Ipse trot past former NT resident and judge, Lesley Sullivan in the 4B Open, in which they took third place. It is too hot for judges to sit in cars in the Top End show shade cloth huts are used.

Kim Watkinson rode Twinkle Toes to fifth place in the 1D Official.

Isabelle Florance and Dusky Belle competed in the Open 1B. Today in Darwin the temperature was about 32C with an over night temperature of about 22C.

Danila Muinos rode Diyandi on a High to second place in the Official 1D.

Sally Shaw and her new pony, Willowcroft Blackjack won both the Pony 1D and 1C.

Kelli Clark rode her colourful Thoroughbred, Loud, in the Open 1B.

Rachael Pen-Dennis removed her Pony Club uniform worn at last week's National Pony Club Games and replaced it with this very elegant outfit. Rachael rode her Dilettante, to win the 4C and 5C Official and 5B Open.

Jamaica Bissett O'Shea, formally of the NT and now residing in Cairns, returned to Darwin to ride Gazelle de Gwaihir in the 1C and 2C. Jamaica did a great job riding the horse.

Vetran Darwin Royal competitor, Val Thomas rode Theyona's Maddona to win the Official 1D.

Meggan Bain rode the well turned out Giacomo in the 2C and IC.

Melanie Ward rode her Australian Stock horse, Stoneage Stitch to second place in the Intermediate 1C.

Brooke Bond rode Artello Coalminer to fifth place in the 3C Senior. The arena at Darwin Royal, with its perfect footing, is the envey of every show society around Australia.

Sam Charlton rode BV Touch of Class in the large Open 1B section.

Jodi Bell rode Doc's Early Bird to third place in the 1B Open.

Sophie Cleveland rode her good looking 3/4 Welsh Cob/ Percheron, Bloomfield Kalinga to second place in the Open 1B and 1C.

Alyce Breed rode Pacman in the 1C.

Rain Smit gave Bouncing Sam Jago a nice ride to place third in the Senior 3C.

Well known NT combination of Teressa Cunnnington and TC Warrior were placed second in the 2C.

Michala Dempster riding the good moving Charade won the Open 1B.

Kirsty Naga riding Minachant Model won the 1C Intermediate.

Jodi Luke rode her good working, Perrivale Darken to win the Novice 2C.

There are currently millitary exercises being conducted in the NT and the noise from the fighter jets taking off in formation over the showgrounds in extremely loud and caused some of the riders some stress. However, maybe not as much stress caused to the girl casually riding past the truck housing the racing pigs, when they all suddenly shot out!

Lisa Mutimer had a bad floating accident last week that destroyed her float. Thankfully the accident did little damage to her on board showjumping horse. Today Lisa stuck to the dressage riding El Gems Toby Lerone to win the Senior 3C and Open 3B.

Local vet, Jenny Watts combined elegantly with Joan of Arc to take second place in the Open 5B, 4B and Official 4C.

Vanessa Lines rode her Irish Sport horse, Irish Town to third place in the Official 2D.

Jenny Jones and Aslan's Gold took second place in the Official 2D.

Well known Alice Springs resident, Faye Hatch and PS Loftin made the long trip up the Stuart Highway again this year. They claimed the Champion Hack award at Alice Springs and Katherine shows along the way. When asked how many times she has made the 1500 km trip, the reply was, "I have lost count". Faye made the most of the Darwin Royal Dressage Day, winning the 4B Open.

The Shaw Family have again made the long trip to Darwin Royal from their large, isolated cattle station just across the Western Australian border. Jane Shaw rode her successful hack, Story, to fourth place in the 2D Official and third in the 1D Official Dressage tests.

Madina Hayman rode Kiana Blue Murder to third place in the Official 4C.

Chloe Kleine rode Jokara Chantel in the 1B Open. This year the Dressage Day at Darwin Royal (held the day before the show officially opens) had record entries with lots of keen new faces.