2006 Royal Melbourne Show

Jan Langley and Kristy Sullivan's lovely 'Kookaburra' (his racing name) ridden by Greg Mickan won the Novice 15.2-16hh class yesterday evening and went on be declared Best Novice Hack.

Tegan Young from Langwarrin had an early start on Sunday morning. Her Novice Hack Over 16hh class had an 8am start. It was however worth the effort, as Tegan won riding her 'Exceptional Dreams'.

Darryl Hayes in full ffight with the Vella Family's typey and great working Australian Stock Horse, 'Wingrove Image', winner of the Open Hack 15-15.2hh class.

Shelly Mc Guinness from Devon Meadows, a seasoned Melbourne Royal competitor, took fifth place in the Open 15-15.2hh Hack class with her 'Shirvington'.

Gary Beaton with his and Brian Scholes 'Lenrac's Dancing Poet'. This very successful horse won the Open 15.2-16hh Hack class ans went on to be declared Reserve Champion Hack.

Rebecca Groen from Tarneit was just out of the placings in the Open 15.2-16hh Hack class riding her own 'Gift'.

Kate Brideoake from Somerville looks in perfect harmony with her Burgraaff mare, 'Belle Giselle'. Kate was a successful competitor in the Junior Jumping classes.

Francesca Christie rode Mr P Merry's beauiiful 'LA' to take second place in the Open 16-16.2hh Hack class and the Pope Cup.

Kim Durante "came, saw and conquered" again with the Durante Family and Aaron Woolard's 'Tate'. The 2005 Melbourne and 2006 Brisbane Royal Champion Hack, won the Open 16-16.2hh class and went on to take out back to back Melbourne Royal Hack Championships.

Jess Barton's Barastoc HOTY, 'Highmont' took a particular dislike to the jumping and equipement close to the hack ring, as did quite a few other hacks. He did not perform at his best in the Open Over 16.2hh class as a consequence, and was out of the placings.

Jane Tolson from Londonderry in NSW rode her lovely working, 'Kent' to take third place in the Open Over 16.2hh Hack class.

Smiles all round. Brook Dobbin from Yarra Glen had good reason to smile as, in colaboration with his Section 1 and 2 mount, 'GP Shine' , he took out the award for Most Successful Horse and Rider Combination.

Leanne Donoghue with her own and Charlotte Mitton's beautiful 'Flawless', won the Over 16.2hh class ans the Pope Cup.

Greg Crocker is up and moving with his 'Aktar'. The well-performed pair took second place in the Gent's and fifth in the Pope Cup.

Well-known and succesful rider, Margot Haynes from Adelaide rode her 'Grazier' to third place in both the Pope Cup and the Open 16-16.2hh classes.

Victorian ex-pat, Paul Austin, now resident in Queensland, rode Jacqui Librio's 'Snapshot' to make the final workout for the Pope Cup.

L-R Judge Tom Edwards, Pope Cup winner, 'Flawless' ridden by Leanne Donoghue and David Calbert of Concepetions, presenting the beautiful Garland.

Miss J Lambert's 'Willowcroft Masquerade' ridden by David Warde took fourth place in the Gent's Galloway class..

Simon Deleeuw rode his own, Wells and the Rothwell Show Stables, 'Wundurra Scotsdale' by the Australian Stock Horse Wundurra Schyloe, to win the Gent's Galloway class..

Martina Hewitt rode the Durante Family's 'Regal Regina' to take fourth place in the Lady's Hack class.

Elly Rogers from West Moorooduc was fifth in the Lady's Hack class with her good working, 'Peninsular Park Flaunt'.

Maree Tomkinson just back home from riding and training in Germany, was on hand to present the First Glance Trophy, donated by the Tomkinson Family to the winner of the Lady's Hack class. Seen her with Kim Durante and 'KT Madigan', exhibited by the Durante and Evans Family.

Ben Thompson from Somerville with his impressive 'SI Fantastik' by Meriville out of Frauenberg. With that breeding it sounds as if this lovely moving horse is a Warmblood. They took fourth place in the Gent's Hack class.

James O'Connor from Longford took time out from the athletic track to make an appearance at Melbourne. James rode his sister Sarah's 'Uncovered' to take third place in the Gent's Hack class.

Chris Lawrie has an unusually easy show with just one horse. He rode the Lyndale Stables and Angie Penalurick's 'Kolbeach Magic' to win the Open Galloway 14-14,2hh class and went on to take the Reserve Champion Galloway Award.

Tom and Julie Luxton's Best Novice Galloway, 'Malibu Park Stella' continued her good form and work well for Chanele Hunter, to take second place in the Open 14-14.2hh Galloway class.

Jacqui Devrome rode her own and Emma Richardson's 'Wesswood Vixen' to take fifth place in the 14-14.2hh Galloway class.

Michael Christie rode Michelle and Bruce Chamberlain's 'Sanlirra Just Glitter' to take second place in the 14.2-15hh Galloway class.

No show without Punch! Popular and successful rider and businessman, Bruce Flood, rode the George Family's 'Rathowen Storm Warning' to take fifth place in the 14.2-15hh class.

The Hacks lined up (well in a fashion) under lights for a final inspection before the Championship Presentation.

Champion Hack, 'Tate' ridden by Kim Durante with presenter, 'Mac' Greaves, a former Melbourne Royal Ringmaster and RAS Councilor.

A delighted Bree Petrie with her Champion Galloway, 'Willowcroft Chance Encounter' and judge (and well-known competitor), Lindy Walker.