2008 Melbourne Royal

Shae Hanger and War Wind, winners of the prestigious Garryowen.

Linda Hayes rode Sophie Coleman's 'Top That of Astral' for third.

Margot Haynes and her beautiful 'Grazier' placed second.

The Garryowen judging panel. Courtney Midson (Riding), Robyn Barry (Costume), Pam Davey (Saddery), Mrs. A. Hooley (UK) (Mount), Mary de Crespigny (General Appearance) and Eric Musgrove (Conformation).

Dating back to 1934 the Garryowen is a memorial to the bravery of Violet Murrell, an outstanding horse woman who died after trying to save her three-time Royal Melbourne champion saddle horse, Garryowen from a stable fire. This is the mush sought after trophy.

Anne Hibberd rode Karen Fisher's On Cue.

Jessica Williams rode her own Louis Vuitton.

Carey Bizzard rode her successful Sydney ex-race horse, Smart One. Unfortunately the Smart One saw his double life size imagine heading towards him on the big screen and he exited stage right and left poor Carey on the ground. As former Garryowen winner Bev Gardner explained, "it is not easy riding in a turnout saddle trusted up like a turkey"

Kerryn Golder rode in her first Garryowen riding her ex-race horse Go With pride.

Sue Thompson rode her well performed thoroughbred Concerto.

Nicole Guillot rode her Sydney Royal Pope Cup winner, Regal Outline.

Rebecca Groen rode her Gift.

Brianna Poustie rode her new mount Loyalty.

Kim Durante rode the former Sydney Royal Champion Hack, KT Madagan to sixth place.

Emma Miller-Olsen rode Deeplake Stud's, English.

Tammy Lee Notman rode the successful ex-race horse by Zabeel, MP Galveston.

Stacey Oakley rode WS Adelante by the successful race horse, Naturalism.

Becky Allen really epitomizes the Garryowen tradition as Viollet Murrell was famous both on the flat and over jumps. Third in the World Cup showjumping a few days ago, Becky stepped aboard her own and B and F Craig's Jacky Winter to produce one of the best marks for riding and take fifth place.

Rachael Triffett rode her SLM Thrill.

Alexander Berwick and her Charming were declared Best First Year Competitor.

Eighteen year old, year twelve student Alexa Ward did not feature in the the ribbons but she looked to have a good time riding her Sheik in their first Garryowen.

Fiona Course rode the Flanders and Burslem's nomination of Kooyong Carousel.

Susanne Pedersen rode her WS Applause.

First year medical student, Sophie Doake rode the former champion hurdler JHB Marlborough, who is the only jump racer to win the Australian Triple Crown.

Shae Hanger was emotional about her win. "Winning the Garryowen means the world to me. I have been working towards this since I got my first pony at ten years old. You need to be 18 to enter the competition so I have been sitting on the sidelines for years hoping that one day I could win it."

Fiona McIntyre rode her Crown Street, who as a race horse known as Rio Del Mar won half a million dollars.

Jane Tolson rode her Kent to fourth place in the 74th Garryowen competition.

Violet Murrell's saddle.

Long time Garryowen and RASV steward, Mary de Crespigny was delighted to be asked to judge the General Appearance section of the Garryowen.

A very pleased Shae Hanger and War Wind. Shae is the great great niece of Violet Murrell, for whom the Garryowen is a memorial.