2009 Royal Melbourne Horse Show and VASL Saddle Horse Championships

There is little doubt that Alexa Ward from Coldstream enjoys showing, and why not? Alexa rode her 'Sheik' to take out the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Rising Star Hack Championship.

Michael Christie could almost walk on water at VASA this year. He claimed the VAS Ltd Large Galloway Championship with Caroline Kuhn and his own Mirinda Eyliner. It was the first VAS Ltd title for the very well performed mare that has already claimed seven Horse of the Year Titles.

As always Helen Heageny put on a splendid show and riding display. Helen is pictured in the Small Hack Final riding her 'Ballydoyle'.

Sue Thompson claimed the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Small Hack Championship with her well performed 'Concerto'. They are pictured with VASL committee member and well known showing personality, Gladys Grentell.

Michael Christie closed the VAS Ltd show by taking out the Large Hack Championship with Pam Ahern, Warren Coyle and Howard Morris' 'Surely'.

Some readers may remember seeing Georgia Cleeland and her 'Invermay Striking' on the Gallery from the Geelong Royal Show last October. She claimed the Supreme Ridden Exhibit award at Geelong and amidst quality company was declared Reserve Champion VAS Ltd Large Hack today.

Raymond Butler had a super show with New Zealander, Lynn Hodgkin's' outstanding 'Keira Park Cascade' (Karlana Say Farewell/Kiera Park Amber). Today the pony was declared Supreme Led Palomino and went on to be declared Best Of Show from the collected Breed Supremes.

The Surrey Springs' wonderful, imported Gipsy Cob stallion, 'Paladin' looked as if he were floating on air. The charming horse, shown by Michael Baker, in Australia for just 12 months, was declared Champion Gipsy Cob.

Miranda Bourke was delighted with her 'Langtree Ladybird' that took out the Rising Star Small Pony Championship.

Michelle Green from Mt Gambier and her 'Shanlin Regal Beau Tie' really warmed to their task on the second day of the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Championships. The good working gelding was one of the Rising Star Galloway Finalists.

Talented young rider, Taylah Arnott is pictured with E & H Murray's eye-catching, 'Moongalba Dolomite' during the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Ridden Shetland Championship Final.

Mark Brown puts the Arnwood Stud's stallion and Supreme Champion Mountain and Moorland, 'River Valley Tip Toe' (Erinsky Peveril/River Valley Lightfoot) through his paces during the lap of honour.

Carla Box rode her 'Karlana Royal Watcher' to take out the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Small Pony Reserve Championship.

Demi Morrison was in the thick of it during the 2009 VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Championships. Today Demi rode RG and JG Kellock's 'Marena Brave Dance' to take out the Rising Star Galloway Championships. A little later, Demi rode her very well performed, 'Lemrac's Dancing Poet to claim the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Small Hack Reserve Championships.

The McMahon and McCormick Family's 'Silkwood Angel Wings' and Grace Hill are proving an unstoppable combination. The 2008 National Champion Small Pony claimed, not surprisingly, the VAS Ltd Small Pony Championship.

Fiona McIntyre made the VAS Ltd Small Pony Final with her very well performed, 'Roseagle Maestro'.

From as always a great line up of Shetlands, Georgie Cameron rode the Cameron Family's 'Otway View Windermere' to take out the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Shetland Championship.

Diane Maywood is pictured with her Champion Stallion and Supreme Champion Quarter Horse Exhibit, 'Our Risky Business' (Tashmere imp/Exciting Lightening).

The Mc Mahon and McCormick Family's beautiful show pony, 'Leanda Hello Dolly' by the resident stud stallion, Kirreway For All Occasions provided Chanel Hunter with her first VAS Ltd Championship title, when the good working pony was declared Champion Large Pony. It was certainly an impressive pony double for the connections, as they also claimed the Small Pony Championship.

Maddison Zammet made the Rising Star and Open VAS Ltd Small Pony Finals with her charming 'Waterford Park Premier' By Owendale Salute.

Well known and successful rider and trainer, Briony Payne is pictured with Ashley Reid's VAS Ltd Small Galloway Reserve Champion, 'Wesswood Royal Caste' by Bolagamy Valour out of the legendary, Pure Caste.

Marcia Beard claimed the 2007 (no 2008 due to EI) Rising Star Galloway Championship with her 'Kolbeach Circus' (Syon Splendour/Waverly Festivity) and the lovely pony was foot perfect today to claim the Open VAS Ltd Small Galloway Championship.

Leanne McDonald claimed the Supreme Led Paint Exhibit with her 'Merribinda Kiowa' (Boston Bootscooter/Fabros Borderlace). They are pictured with Western judge, Peter Belden from Queensland.

Robert Ronzio is pictured with his own and wife Thelma's Champion Mare and Supreme Clydesdale Exhibit, 'Jendalyn Annabelle' (Murroka Challenge/Jendalyn Kate).

Sarah Rochester took out the Reserve Ridden Fresian Championship with her 'Royal Ebony' (Lepe TJ/Charmant).

Leonie Jordan claimed back to back Summer Royal Ridden Fresian Championships with her 'Barnham' (Othelo S/She's In Gear).

Laura Shaw from Terang claimed the VAS Ltd Weight Lifter Rising Star Large Pony Championship with her 'After Midnight of Astral'.

The Kahean Stud's well performed 'Glenormiston Ciara' (Doma Cavallo/Glenormiston Dulcinea) was declared Champion Led Connemara.

Elisa Surinow's 'Monsview Miss Monroe' (Deveron Di Maggio/Monsview Montanna) won the class for Yearling Palomino Fillies.

Scott and Mhairi McGregor took out the Highland Pony Championship with their impressive imported mare, 'Steffiedene' (Rory of Balinoe/Staceydene).