2012 Melbourne Royal Show

The riders walk the course on the first day of showjumping at Melbourne Royal. The now small Melbourne arena is showing signs of wear and tear after seven days of competition and entertainment.

Out early on the chilly Grand Final morning, Russell Johnstone from Whittlesea jumped a first round clear in the first Group C class of the show.

Sarah Beale from Duffy's Forest in NSW is pictured aboard, 'Briar Rose' the first of her two rides in Group C.

Rory Hovell from Margaret River in WA has been having a successful trip east. Rory is pictured riding his own and D Franceschi's, 'Yalambi's Waltzing Matilda' in the first Group C class of the show.

Popular rider and trainer from the ACT, Stephen Dingwall jumped a first round clear in the first Group C class of the show aboard his , 'Cavalier Cudose'. They finished just out of the placings in sixth position after the jump off..

Breeder, rider and trainer, Shane Davidson from just out of Toowoomba in Queensland must be feeling the chill Melbourne winds. Shane is pictured riding his home bred, 'Fairbanks Lulu' in the first Group C class of the show.

Dairy farmer and jumping rider, Andrew Lamb from Gippsland is pictured making a stylish jump aboard his, 'CP Argento' (Vivant/CP Argentina) during the first Group C class of the show this morning.

David Goodwin from Warwick in Queensland is pictured during the Group C jump off class this morning riding his, 'Warrego Jericho'.

Successful young rider, Clint Beresford from Bega is pictured making a lovely jump during the first round of the Group C jump off class this morning riding his , 'Emmaville Jitterbug' by highly regarded jumping stallion, June Bug that was campaigned by Jeremy Inglis.

Stephen Hill from Clunes in Victoria had a successful and impressive beginning to his 2012 Royal Melbourne Show. Stephen won the Group C class with a fast jump off riding his talented 'Bellini Star' (pictured) by the imported and exported, Conquistador, and was third with his Vivant gelding, Valiant Star.

Queensland rider , Robert Moffatt is having a good trip south with his own and Gabrielle Brown's, 'AEA Orox', winner of the Stars of The Furore class at the Australian Championships last week and second placegetter in the first Group C class of the 2012 Melbourne Royal.

Popular and successful Queensland rider, Clem Smith took fifth place in the first Group C class of the show riding the Hargreaves' , 'Copabella Tattiana'.

Western Australian rider, Pascale Young makes a beautiful jump aboard her Collins gelding, 'Barabadeen Halifax' during the first round of the Group B jump off class today.

Yet another stylish Western Australian, Sarah Isbister, who is travelling with Rory Hovell and Alison Rowland makes a scopey jump aboard her ,'Little Britton' during the first round of the Group B Jump off class today.

Brook Dobbin won the Mini Prix at the Australian Championships last Saturday riding, 'Silvo' and backed that up today with two super rounds aboard the gelding imported from Canada to win the Group B class.

Apprentice farrier, Clint Beresford from Bega is pictured during the Group B class on a very cold and windy day riding his , 'Belcam Atlantic'.

Former WA rider and now resident in Sydney, Evie Buller has had a super start to her season in Queensland with her, 'Yalambi's Landor. They are pictured during the first Group B class of the show.

The cold and very gusty conditions played havoc with the showjumping course, with fences being blown over. A halt was called to the Group B class whilst the worst of a cold front passed over.

Russell Hearn's talented,'Luxenburg' looks a picture of concentration during the Group B jump off class today.

Well known and successful Sydney rider, Andrew Inglis is pictured aboard his own and A Ramsay's, 'Black Marlin' during the Group B jump off class today.

Victorian rider, Jess Barton jumped one of just three clear rounds in the Group B class today riding her newly acquired and super experienced, imported Indorado mare, 'Alondra'. Jumping clear and four, they took second place in the class.