2012 EQUITANA Melbourne

David Lever of Lever Equine conducted an interesting and informative mini class on Training A Young Horse For Showjumping. David put Savanna Hopkinson and her Darco mare through some interesting jumping basics.

An always busy Corey Holden rode Mike Smith's Who's Top Cat mare, 'Top Cat Blue' to fourth place in the Equitana Open Cutting Championship.

Teresa Russo is pictured aboard her own, 'One Roan Peptos' by Peptos Stylish Oak in the Equitana Open Cutting Championship.

Scott Campbell and 'Highbrows Scarlett' were really on the job during the Equitana Open Cutting Championship on the first day of competition at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Klaus Schiller's Highbrows Doctor mare won the Open class with a score of 149 points.

Amelia Tonkin is a young woman making a big name for herself in the Cutting world. Well known to Horse Deals readers, Amelia rode her 'Tramps Destiny' by Acres Destiny to win the Non Pro Cutting Championship and take equal sixth place in the Open Championship.

Very well known in the Cutting world, Rob Hodgman is pictured aboard J and J Farley's 'Under Covergirl' by Peptos Stylish Oak, during the Equitana Open Cutting Championship.

The Royal Melbourne Showground is a successful place for newly graduated Bachelor of Commerce, Stephanie Barrington. The 2011 Garryowen winner and Champion Lady Rider was declared Equitana Supreme Champion Rider during the Show Horse Competition on the first of four full days of equestrian competition.

Keeping the success in the family, Dale Plume rode his very well performed, 'DP Amazing' to win the Hack class and take out the Equitana Reserve Champion Ridden Exhibit award.

Briony Payne and 'Sanlirra Talk of the Town' put their best foot during the Supreme Ridden ride off. Cherrie Uchtman's well performed Galloway went on to take out the Equitana Supreme Ridden award.

Ava Halloran from Modewarre in Victoria rode her beautiful, 'Karlana Opening Night' to win the class for Large Ponies on the first Show Horse morning of Equitana 2012.

Zoe Murray rode Libby Greshner's well performed, 'Beauparc Exquisite' to win the class for Show Hunter 14hh and Under.

Rebecca Richards rode her mother, Beverley Richards' well performed Thoroughbred, 'Dymondz' to take out the class for Show Hunter 14hh and Over.

Early on the first morning of the 2012 Equitana conducted at Melbourne Showgrounds, the line was a long one to get in to see Ken Faulkner give his presentation on 'Balancing and Shaping Newly Started Horses'.

The Horse Deals stand was up and running early complete with their new range of clothing, Diaries and of course back issues of the Magazine.

Famous US horseman, John Lyons described as "America's most trusted horseman", lends a hand during the popular Behavioural Clinic conducted by his son, Josh Lyons and Richard Winters.

Josh Lyons heads up the John Lyons Certification Programme which is one of the world's most sought after educational schools and runs in six countries.

US horseman, Richard Winters encourages some good behaviour during the popular Behavioural Clinic conducted in the Grand Pavilion Indoor Arena on the first day of Equitana 2012.

"Come early and come often!" The trade stands were doing good business early on day one.

Dressage legend and Equitana guest star, Kyra Kyrklund is pictured singing autographs at the Horse Deals Stand. Each day of Equitana, a guest star will be at the stand to meet and greet.

Well known Cutting rider and Judge, Richard Prew gave and entertaining and enlightening Cutting Training Clinic, complete with mechanical cow, in the Hy Gain Arena.

Danielle Gilbee's beautiful, 'Termar Adalita' was declared Champion Junior Pure Arabian Filly at the Arabian Horse Breeders Australasian Cup conducted on the first day of the 2012 Equitana. The judge declared this filly to "move well, have an elegant front and a beautiful big dark eye".

Doyle Dertell did the honours with the Temar Arabians, 'Temar Mahavee' that was declared Champion Pure Arabian Colt at the Arabian Horse Breeders Australasian Cup.

Naomi Schofield led her own beautiful, 'IBN Picasso', described by the judge as, "a combination of beauty and utility as befits an Arabian Stallion". Picasso won the Purebred Arabian Stallion Championship and was the overall High Point winner.

Jamie Winning from Ebenezer in NSW jumped a super four penalty round aboard Angela Beale's talented Animate gelding, 'Alpha Centauri'. Luck was against the pair in the second round of the EA Grand Final World Cup Qualifier when Alpha Centauri lost his footing and fell on the flat between fences. Both looked unscathed.

2012 Reserve Champion Australian Showjumping Champions, Sharon Slater and 'CP Ulixes' jumped four and clear to take second place in the EA Grand Final Equitana World Cup Qualifier. Sharon and the Lux gelding are now one of the premier jumping combinations in the country.

Twenty year old Sarah Isbister from WA is a member of the WA Showjumping Squad and did them proud tonight by jumping eight and four over David Sheppard's tough indoor track, to take fifth place in the EA Grand Final World Cup Qualifier riding her big hearted and talented Wondaree Dreamtime gelding, 'Little Britton'.,

Tim Clarke's wonderful Contango II mare, 'Caltango' won the Shepparton World Cup last weekend and tonight took sixth place in the EA Grand Final Equitana World Cup Qualifier.

Jamie Kermond in pink jacket made an attractive picture with Des Russell's beautiful grey stallion, 'Valhalla 3'. The imported Quattro B stallion jumped well for four penalties in each round to take fourth place in the EA Grand Final World Cup Qualifier.

Alison Rowland jumped the only double clear to win the EA Grand Final riding her own and Nicol Taylor's super, Premier des Hayettes mare, 'Bickley Brook Bella'.The win makes it three World Cup victories this season for the exciting pair on the cusp of great achievements.

Daizi Plumb from Cardinia had a great morning in the Show Horse competition on the first day of Equitana 2012. She rode her Dad, Dale Plumb's lovely, 'Royal Secret' to win the Small Pony class and the talented youngster also took out the strong class for Junior Riders.