2012 Melbourne Royal Show

Lynda Hayes rode her own and Daria Vella's lovely, 'Wingrove Fine Line' by Syon Royal Portrait to take sixth place in the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.

Bronwyn Williams from Hawthorndene in SA rode her, 'Rosevale Design' to fourth place in the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.

Ben Laupert from Lethbridge in Victoria rode his , 'Euphorian' to third place in the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.

Courtney Christie made a welcome return to the show ring with her beautiful and very well performed, 'Magnifique' that took fourth place in the class for Open Hack 15.2-16hh.

Kristen O'Connell from Whittlesea in Victoria rode her, 'Claim To Fame' to take fourth place in the class for Open Hack 16-16.2hh.

Dale Plumb is pictured with his beautifully conditioned and hugely successful Hack, 'DP Amazing' that took second place in the class for Open Hack 16-16.2hh.

Successful professional Queensland showing rider, Karen Shaw rode her her, 'KT Montecito' on a wet and cool Melbourne day to sixth place in the class for Open Hack 16-16.2hh.

Alice McEvoy has been having a wonderful time riding 'Grazier' that has carried her sister Rose to great success. Grazier took third place in the class for Open Hack 16-16.2hh.

Rebecca Farrow always makes a beautifully elegant picture riding her own and Roz Lipp's equally elegant big Thoroughbred, 'Kholo,' to take third place in the class for Open Hack Over 16.2hh

Well known and successful Victorian showing rider, Clint Bilson rode the Christie and Carnegie nomination, 'SLM Poker Face' to sixth place in the class for Open Hack Over 16.2hh.

Bettina Stanton from Bletchley in SA is pictured aboard her lovely 'Vienna Night Devine' that took second place in the class for OpenHack Over 16.2hh.

The Lee Family's nomination, 'Tudor Park Gilded' ridden by Sherrie Lee took fourth place in the class for Open Hack Over 16.2hh. Sherrie went on to take second place in the prestigious Esquire Equestrienne Turnout class riding the big chestnut.

Ben Laupert stepped aboard Kim Joblin's, 'SLM Skyte' by Rancho Ruler to win the class for Gentleman's Hack.

Rhonda Strafford rode her well performed, 'Christmas Day', so called I think because he was born on that day, to take second place in the class for Lady's Show Hunter Galloway.

In years gone by the numerous Melbourne Royal covered grandstands provided welcome protection from the variation of the Melbourne Spring weather. Sadly now it is a case of BYO umbrella.

Miss R Gambold from Wangaratta in Victoria and her , 'Dunwood Brilliance' are making the most of a bad weather situation during the judging of the class for Lady's Show Hunter Galloway and they are doing it side-saddle.

There will always be at least one day at Melbourne Royal when the skies open and it was today, and we hope only today. Fiona Kittson-Walsh is pictured carrying on regardless aboard her 'Oakdown Tina's Hallmark' that was fourth in the Show Hunter Galloway 14-14.2hh and sixth in the Lady's Show Hunter Galloway.

Sally Shaw had a very busy morning. She is pictured riding Jodie Van Breugel's well performed, 'Salisbury My Guy' that was third in the Child's Show Hunter Galloway and fourth in the class for Show Hunter Galloway 14.2-15hh. Meanwhile in the Hack ring, Sally rode her , "Overseer' to take fourth place in the class for Child's Hack.

Brianna Duncan-Coward from One Tree Hill in SA rode her well performed, 'Corndale Kiss and Tell' to take second place in both the Open Show Hunter Galloway 14-14.2hh and the Child's Show Hunter Galloway.

Sienna Vasilopoulos from Kangaroo Ground in Victoria rode her , 'Langtree Class Act' to win the class for Child's Show Hunter Galloway and take second place in the class for Show Hunter Galloway 14.2-15hh.

Sheridan Hammet stepped aboard Nicole Riemer's, 'Meteor Showers' to take fourth place in the class for Child's Show Hunter Galloway.

Demi Morrison rode Mrs J Kellock's , 'Marena Brave Dance' to win the class for Show Hunter Galloway 14-14.2hh.

Holly Ticehurst from Bronia in Victoria, rode her 'Terra Felix XL' by Rathowen XL to win the class for Show Hunter Galloway 14.2-15hh and claim the Sow Hunter Galloway Championship.

Daniel McNamara rode Miss K McCarthy , 'Hibrie Xclusive' also by Rathowen XL to be declared Best Novice Galloway Show Hunter two days ago and today, they won the Gent's Galloway class and went on to take out the Show Hunter Galloway Reserve Championship.

Susanne Pedersen from Strathfieldsaye in Victoria and her , 'WS Coast' has a super day at the show today. They were second in the Open 15.2-16hh, won the Lady's Hack class and took out the Esquire Equestrienne Turnout .

Hack judge, Roy Davies justifiably has a proprietorial hold on the COL AV Pope Cup as he has won the event for "horses Showing Thoroughbred Qualities" five times. The first time in 1983 "as a boy" for an indisposed Vicky Lawrie and twice with both Carrington and Trent Nathan.

Stephanie Barrington was delighted with her beautiful 'LA' that won the class for Open Hack 16-16.2hh and even more delighted when her much loved equine partner took out the Prestigious COL AV Pope Cup. On the strength of his good performances, LA was awarded the, 'Picasso Perpetual Trophy' presented by Vicky Lawrie and awarded to the Most Successful Saddle Horse Of The Show.

Alex Berwick backed up her Garryowen Trophy today by claiming the Melbourne Royal Reserve Hack Championship riding her own and Sarah McMaster's, 'Xlerate'. The super handsome Zabeel gelding won the Over 16.2hh Hack class with Mark Kenzig in the saddle.

Mark Kenzig is pictured riding Louise Barton's gleaming and beautiful, 'Mascara' that won the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.

'Smashing' is a great name for Joh Bailey and Michael Christie's beautifully put together hack by El Moxie that won the class for Open Hack 15.2-16hh and much to Joh's delight was declared the "Mac" Greaves Memorial Champion Saddle Horse Over 15hh.