2009 Melbourne Royal Show

Jessica Bates from the Melbourne Hunt Club is pictured over a panel with her, 'Nigel' during the SA Greaves memorial Hunters' Plate.

Jeff Bates representing the Melbourne Hunt Club took sixth place in both the SA Greaves and the Noel Mason Hunters' Plate riding his , 'Guinness'..

Well known eventer and hunting enthusiast, Darren Green is pictured riding, 'Winstay' for the Oaklands Hunt Club in the SA Greaves Memorial Hunters' Plate.

Carolyn Grinter representing the Tocumwal Hunt Club took second place in the SA Greaves Memorial Hunters' Plate and fifth place in the Noel Mason Memorial Plate riding Bernie Rice's, 'Punch'.

Melissa Wilson is pictured during the Noel Mason Hunters' Plate riding her 'CP Gulliver' that went on later in the day to win the Heavyweight Hunter On the Flat, and take out the Reserve Champion Hunter on the Flat award.

Another eventer who enjoyed a day in the hunting field, Ken Jelbart, is pictured riding Penny Ward's, 'Scarteen', for the Melbourne Hunt Club in the SA Greaves Memorial Hunter' Plate.

Beautifully turned out, Melbourne Hunt Club stalwart and occasional whipper in, Cheryl Bunting rode her 'Guess' to take third place in the Noel Mason Memorial Hunters' Plate.

Melbourne Hunt Club representatives, Isabella Walsh and, 'Kris Kringle' again gave a super display to win both the SA Greaves and Noel Mason Hunters' Plate, plus Lightweight Hunter on the Flat.

Fiona Kittson-Walsh has a good hold of the wall, aka, 'Dunelm Looking Glass' as Humpty Dumpty, aka Alexandra Walsh, risks a fracture.

Not good weather for Little Mermaids. Although with the weather, Tamika Merlo-Dawson did not risk drying out as she contested the Fancy Dress class for Girls and Boys 14 Years and Under.

Olivia Hovers was having a seriously "bad hair day" during the Fancy Dress class this morning.

The splendid winning Fancy Dress entry, the Wizard of Oz from L-R, Wizard, William Brooks, Scarecrow, Stephanie Brooks, Dorothy, Chloe Brooks, The Lion, 'Glengwin Material Boy', Tin Man, Georgia Appleton and the Wicked Witch, Linda Brooks.

Tweetie Pie' and Sylvester The Cat aka Ebonie Lee and Alice McEvoy fairly obviously entered in the Fancy Dress class.

Remember the days of sitting in the AG Hunter stand covered in rugs, eating donuts and complaining of the cold? "Sheer luxury! This is a picture of the only and very popular today, covered stand around the Melbourne Show Main Arena.

Ship ahoy. Pirates, L-R Blake Gallagher and Tate Wardle aboard the good ship, 'Tra-Shif Mariah' took second place in the Fancy Dress class this morning.

Well known Hunting exhibitor, Cathy Emmett representing the Melbourne Hunt Club rode her wonderfully named, 'The Milkman' to second place in the class for Lightweight Hunter on the Flat.

Well performed, Boy Rider, James Moloney took second place in the class for Boy Rider 10 and Under 12 Years and went on to be declared Reserve Champion Boy Rider Under 12.

Blake Paulston from Wee Waa in NSW won the class for Boy Rider 10 and Under 12 Years and went on to be declared Champion Boy Rider.

Advice from the best. Riding judge, Lindy Walker explains the workout to Daizi Plumb, who went on to take third place in the class for Girl Rider 6 and Under 8 Years.

Delta Wardle from Brim in Victoria was delighted to take second place in the class for Girl Rider 6 and Under 8 Years.

Brooke Pearse from Shepparton was just out of the money in the class for Girl Rider 8 and Under 10 years, but her 17 year old, 'Lincott Pepe' was the envy of many.

It was wonderful and somehow reassuring to see long time Melbourne Royal Stewards, L-R Margie Whyte and Libby Webb back in action on the main arena today.

A family tradition. Brynie Lee from Eden Park won the class for Girl Rider 8 and Under 10 Years and went on to be declared Reserve Champion Girl Rider Under 12.

Holly Dennison from Pakenham is pictured working out in the class for Girl Riders 10 and Under 12 Years riding Ashleigh Reid's lovely, 'Weston Park Cointreau'.

Rochelle O'Connor from Garfield North took fifth place in the class for Girl Rider 10 and Under 12 Years.

Laura Show is pictured during her workout for the Girl Rider 10 and Under 12 Years on a very wet and cold Melbourne afternoon.

Kira Lee Newman from Noosa in Queensland did not seem to feel the cold this afternoon. Winning does give you a warm feeling and the talented young rider won the class for Girl Rider 10 and Under 12 and went on to take out the hotly contested Girl Rider Under 12 Championship.

What a show! Sara Love capped of a dream show with her Clydesdale/Thoroughbred, "Australian Warmblood" 'Tulloch Ard' by taking out the Hunter On the Flat Championship.

Tori Fair from Drysdale rode well to win the class for Girl Rider 6 and Under 8 Years.