Equitana 2013

Popular Queensland professional rider and trainer, Clem Smith makes a super jump aboard his own and Leanne Bruggemann's, 'Guru' during the Equitana Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final warm up class this morning conducted in the Dome.

Jamie Kermond looked all class today aboard Des Russell's talented stallion, 'Killeter Park Caracas' that jumped clear in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up class A2 competition to take third place.

In Horseball one has to be prepared to let go of the reins as this Team Member form Great Britain demonstrated. Australia won the first of the AUS vs UK test matches.

The super competitive and talented, Tom McDermott raced around the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up class riding his 'SL Limerick' to post the fastest time by an amazing four seconds. Unfortunately a fence down saw them finish sixth in the A2 one round class.

Number 7 for GB has the ball in this photograph and means to keep it despite being under some pressure from Australia. The ball is encased in a form of leather frame to make it easer to catch as one team mate throws it to another and also for ease of picking it up from the ground. It is interesting to note that the Australians are in stock saddles and the UK in flat saddles.

Number 2 for Australia has possession of the ball and is looking to pass it to a team mate in the first of the Horseball tests between Australia and Great Britain.

Always popular, Pat Parelli gives a well attended demonstration on "Transitions and Lead Changes".

Kate Elliott from Glenburn in Victoria rode the Whizzle A Melody gelding, 'OP Whizzle Do' to win the Reining Australia WEG Qualifier.

Well known Reining Professional John Wicks earned a WEG qualifying score aboard the Taylor Bleu stallion, 'Snippin Cash' in the Reining Australia CRI 3* WEG Qualifier.

Billy Raymont's 'Stardom' jumps in a style not unlike Bill Steinkraus' Mexico Olympic Gold Medallist, Snowbound. Billy's gleaming and beautifully presented Thoroughbred by Grosvenor kept his paws off all the wood to win the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up A2 class.

Dan Steers one half of the popular Double Dans is recovering from a broken hip, the result of a horse falling on him just a month go. Despite the crutches Dan was still able to entertain the crowd with, 'Double Image' who looks quite imposing in this photograph.

US Champion Horseman and trainer, Al Dunning gave a wonderful and informative Horsemanship Clinic this afternoon. Al is pictured riding Errol Thomas' 'Docs Fancy Roy'.

Showing superstar, Jess Stalling is establishing a great reputation in the showjumping arena as well. Both Jess and her Vivant gelding, 'Diamond B Vermont' are relatively new to this level of competition and jumped well in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up class for the addition of just four jumping penalties.

Jamie Winning and her wonderful stallion, 'Wirragulla Nicklaus' are both in a beautiful position over this oxer during their round in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up class this morning.

Olympic Team Dressage Gold Medallist, Carl Hester is one of the popular headliners at Equitana this year. The dressage fraternity was out in droves to listen to his hour long lesson with 2013 NSW State Medium/Advanced Champions, Katina Smith and 'Just Dance'. Carl will conduct an extended Masterclass on Saturday morning.

Victorian tax accountant, Tim Clarke and his super Contango II mare, 'Caltango' both look all stylish business in this photograph. The careful mare was not entirely at home in the Dome indoor for and uncharacteristic eight jumping penalties.

Happy shoppers on their way home laden down with purchases.

Dan James of the Double Dans is pictured aboard, 'Bobcat' during a spectacular burning stockwhips display prior to the Australian Reining Championships, the feature of the first night of Equitana Sydney 2013..

Victorian professional rider and trainer, Russell Johnstone is clearly on the form that saw him take out the Victorian Senior Showjumping Championships last Sunday riding his talented and careful, 'Borealis Centurion'. The gelding by Collins jumped clear to take fourth place in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up A2 class.

Well known and successful Reining rider and trainer, Shaun Saunders opened the Australian Reining Championships with the Kalins Quarter Horses, 'Whizz Peppy'. The highest money earning Reining horse in Australia finished third with 214.4 in what was his official retirement run.

Warren Backhouse is a master of the art of Reining. He is pictured tonight riding Erin Neylon's 'Lilmissknowitall' to sixth place in the Australian Reining Championships.

Sixteen year old Bayley Lowe impressed the knowledgeable audience, but a small technical error saw him with a score of zero riding Karen Lowe's 'Micro Chip'.

Queensland rider, David Goodwin from Warwick has been turning heads for the last 12 months with his home bred 'Warrego Jericho'

Errol Thomas stepped aboard his , 'wonderful, 'Docs Fancy Roy' after All Dunning had ridden the horse earlier in the day. They claimed fourth place in the Australian Reining Championships tonight with a score of 214.

Graham Cooper is pictured aboard Nils Euren's, 'Tassa Golden Oak' during the popular Australian Reining Championships on the first Western themed night at Equitana Sydney 2013.

Robert Lawson is pictured with Jozette Hazeldene's beautifully coiffured, 'Topsail Wimpy' during the Australian Reining Championships.

Merrick Ubank has his eyes fixed on the next fence as he and 'Aladino' jump the first in the Be The Influence Equestrian Grand Final Showjumping warm up class. The 2013 Caboolture and Melbourne World Cup winners did not have the best of rounds today, but the big class is tomorrow night.

Popular and successful Non Pro Reining rider, Peter Bartolo is pictured aboard Victoria Mc Clenaughan's , 'Onya Wozza' during the Australian Reining Championships.

As so often happens, Warren Backhouse finished at the top of the line tonight riding Anita Ganzer's, 'Rockin On The Ranch' with a score of 218.5.

Last to go in the Australian Reining Championship, Shaun Saunders rode Scott Glover's charismatic 12 year old stallion, 'Ruf Major' to score 216 for second place.