2011 Melbourne Royal Show

Familiar and successful Melbourne Royal competitors, Fiona McIntyre and 'Crown Street' won the class for Novice Show Hunter 15-16hh on a blustery Melbourne morning.

Rachel Lawrie from Ungarra in South Australia, who went on to win the class for Lady Rider Over 30 is pictured riding Jo Gale and Charlotte Scott's, 'About Town' in the class for Novice Show Hunter 15-16hh.

Julia Soldatos from Campbells Creek in Victoria took fourth place in the class for Novice Show Hunter 15-16hh riding her 'Kingstone'.

Megan Cheeseman from Healesville in Victoria rode her splendid, 'Gleneagles Giorgio' to take second place in the class for Novice Show Hunter Over 16hh.

Adam Oliver, fresh from his victory at the Queensland HOTY came back to Melbourne for a couple of days riding. Adam is pictured aboard Karen Fisher's 'On Cue' that won the class for Show Hunter Over 16hh and went on to be declared best Novice Show Hunter Over 15hh.

A elegant Shelley McGuinness has grown up at Melbourne Show having competed here since she was a very young girl. She is pictured riding her impressive, 'Roxleigh Liberty' by the European Warmblood, Londonderry that took third place in the class for Novice Show Hunter Over 16hh.

Claudia Martin from Bairnsdale in Victoria is pictured during the class for Novice Show Hunter Over 16hh riding her well named, 'Nice'.

Nellie Evans from Wyong in NSW rode the Walker and Evans nomination, , 'Marena Macquarie' to measure up and take fourth place in the class for Novice Show Hunter Over 16hh.

Successful young showing rider, Demi Morrison rode Barb Begley's 'Marena Brave Dance' to win the class for Novice Show Hunter 14-14.2hh and take out the Best Novice Show Hunter Galloway award.

Danielle Blundy from Clyde in Victoria rode her, 'Allure Park Swift' to second place in the class for Novice Show Hunter Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Matthew Snell from Arcadia in NSW backed up his recent Adelaide Championship with the Melbourne Royal Gentleman Rider Championship.

Rebecca Farran had a wonderful Adelaide Royal and she began her Melbourne assault with victory in the class for Novice Show Hunter 14.2-15hh riding Ms K Mc Pherson's 'Montrose Etched in Silk'.

Lori Saunders from Bunbartha in Victoria rode her own and Julie Conti's, 'Rainga Blaze of Glory' by Gumbanero to fourth place in the class for Novice Show Hunter 14.2-15hh.

Morgan Lane from West Leeederville in WA rode the Lane and Graetz Family's 'Redline Classic' to second place in the class for Novice Show Hunter 14.2-15hh.

Well known veterinarian, Narelle Cribb from Gembrook in Victoria rode her very well performed, 'Issy Miaki' by Arundel House Amaani to third place in the class for Novice Show Hunter 14.2-15hh.

Rachelle O'Connor from Garfield North in Victoria rode Natalie O'Connor's, 'Coniston Dark Secret' to fourth place in the class for Novice Galloway 14.2-15hh.

Nicola Burgess from Nutfield in Victoria is pictured working out in the class for Novice Galloway 14.2-15hh riding her well performed, 'Willowcroft Annie's Lane'.

The beautifully presented pair of Mark Kenzig and his 'Wesswoods Supercaste', out of the great Show Galoway, Pure Caste, won the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh and went on to claim the Best Novice Galloway award.

Well known and successful young Victorian rider, Abby Heffer from Wallan rode Vienna Smith's, 'Elite HT Extravaganza' to second place in the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Successful showing trainer and exhibitor, Di MacDonald from Pearcedale in Victoria rode her own and Tony Bayley's, 'Kolbeach Rosewood' to third place in the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Successful young showing professional, Greg Mickan rode John De Marco and Georgia Grenwell's, 'Langtree Royal Applause' to fifth place in the class for Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Heidi Pickstock from Cardinia in Victoria rode her own and Dale Plumb's beautifully presented, 'Yindala Park Picture' to take sixth place in the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Sophie Fox from Merton in Victoria did a super job riding her 'Gordon Park Chorus Line' to work her way up the line and take fourth place in the class for Novice Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Well known and successful South Australian showing exhibitor, Leanne Donoghue rode her own, 'Donlea Share the Moment' to win the class for Novice Galloway 14.2-15hh.

Oaklands Hunt Club Joint Master, Richard Cameron-Kennedy is pictured parading the Oaklands hounds on the second and final day of the traditional Melbourne Hunting competition.

The Murray Valley Hunt Club Trio of L-R, Melissa Wilson, Joanne Stubbs and Philippa Davison looked pleased with their round over the panels as they come back to the line up. They took second place in the Peter Ronald Memorial Hunt Club Teams competition and Philippa Davison's horse, 'Kilwarran Errant' was declared Reserve Champion Hunter.

Oaklands Hunt Club Joint Master and team member, Darren Green rode Kathleen Cust's 'Brocklesby' to take out the Champion Hunter award. Oaklands were fourth in the Peter Ronald Memorial Teams competition.

Almost triple vision. The beatifully matched Tocumwal Hunt Club Number 2 Team, L-R Kate Fremlin, Cheryl Bunting and Brittany Ray.

The Tocumwal Hunt Club Number 1 Team of L-R Carolyn Grinter, Amy Herbert and Lynn Haynes won the Peter Ronald Memorial Hunt Club Teams competition and with it the Joan Pearson Memorial Shield presented by well know equestrian personality, Gladys Grentell. Tocumwal Number 1 also took out the Ulysses Shield supported by Ian Rough in memory of the great hunter, Ulysses that "competed in 12 consecutive Hunt Club Trio events and was placed first in 10 of them".

In 40 years of Melbourne Royals the show has never been stopped; that is until today. Due to the heavy rain, thunder and lightening the Melbourne Royal Show was closed at 5pm, just about the time the Novice Hacks were due to grace the arena. A real case of "all dressed up and nowhere to go". Just when we will see the Novices remains to be seen.