2011 Sydney Easter Royal Show

Course Designer, John Vallance dressed for the weather. Sadly the arena has not coped well, as it has in the past, with the heavy rain and was sloopy and slippery. However. the proposed redevelopment of the stadium to cater for the Greater Western Sydney AFL team will rectify the problem. No self respecting footballer plays in the mud any more!

James Mooney rode his own and Sue Knox' s imported mare by Contendro, 'Yirrkala Cortina' to jump two good clear rounds in the tough conditions to take second place in the Section 3 jump off class this morning.

Sharon Slater was placed in the first Section 3 class yesterday and again jumped two super clear rounds aboard her, 'CP Ulixes' to take third place this morning. The gelding by Lux out of a Voltaire mare was imported to Australia by George Sanna and Charles Blinkworth as a stallion. With less to worry about , the gelding is looking an early pick for Champion Section 3 horse.

Merrick Ubank from Queensland jumped a dashing round in difficult conditions to win the Section 3 jump off class this morning riding Maryanne Kidston's Alimo gelding, 'Aladino'.

Despite the heavy rain, Jamie Kermond makes a super jump aboard his own and Julia Battams' Indoctro gelding, 'BWS Lincoln' to take fourth place in the Section 3 jump off class this morning.

Courtney Robinson rode J and C Young and the Cedervale ASH Stud's 'Cedervale Jillaroo' (Smiths Stockman/Omorale Dawn) to take third place in the Working Mare class and won the class for Working ASH ridden by a Rider Under 18.

Dale Olsen from Wauchope in NSW rode his well performed, 'Doongara Power Repeat' (Yallatup Regal Remedy/Abbagail) to win the class for Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding.

Col Moxey from Camden won the Working ASH Colt/Filly/Gelding Under 4 Years riding his 'Quiera Cassie' (Arundle Cadman/Quiera Silhouette) and the lovely mare that also won the Ridden Junior Horse class upstaged her older peers to claim the Champion Working Australian Stock Horse title, and with it the David Archibald Memorial Perpetual Trophy.

Loretta Lawson has had a huge show with Terry Blake's mare, 'Coquon Holly' (Rosebrook Sabre/Coquon Copy Cat). The mare was awarded the RM Williams Trophy Saddle for the Most Versatile Australian Stock Horse. Loretta and Holly are pictured with RM Williams representative, Terry Goodear and the saddle.

Stephen Dingwall from the ACT got the jump off up and running by posting the first clear round in the soggy Section 3 jump off class this morning, riding his seven year old Rotspon gelding, 'Cavalier Bryn'. They finished the class in fifth place.

Jenny Mason is pictured in action with her 'Tocal Cecil' (Dr Jekyll/Tocal Toward) during the Working Australian Stock Horse class. Due to the almost torrential rain the Working classes were all conducted under cover in the marshalling arena.

Bruce Moxey is pictured in action with his 'Rainwood Park Bebece' (J Star Challenge/Shades Radiant) during the Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding class.

Pat Lacey rode his 'Lacey's Coorumbena Callum' (Dr Jekyll/LC Charisma) in to fourth place in the class for Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding.

Michelle Wilton puts the Wilton/Cowley Partnership nomination, 'Taronga Billabong Bruce' (Arramlu/Comara Quail) through his paces for third place in the class for Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding.

Christopher Ware really set his jaw during the Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding class riding his beautifully presented and conditioned, 'Wungum Citizen' (Glencoe Abstract/Wungum Roulette).

Corrina Adams is pictured with her 'Coxon Sundowner' (The Echo Rivoli Relic/Kidjar High Society) during the class for Australian Stock Horse Working Gelding. They was plenty of interest in the competition from the hardy show crowd who gathered around the arena.

Paul Davidson from Huntley in NSW had a busy day in the thankfully under cover Australian Stock Horse ring. Paul is pictured with his Working ASH Gelding, 'Camelot Gold Dust' (Greyhavens Ace/Kingatha Haley)

Eden McDonnel puts the McDonnel Family's 'I'm For Real' (Currawong Ima Rivoli Oak/Egos Bella) through his paced during the judging of the Working Australian Stock Horse Gelding class.

Successful ASH exhibitor and competitor, Warwick Lawrence rode the Lawrence and Miles nomination, 'Cedar Downs Minimax' (Conductor/Terlings Alpine II) to second place in the competitive Class for Working Australian Stock Horse Mare.

Craig Main was being watched carefully as he rode his 'Mains Charm' (Mains Reason/Korak Ganya Girl) in the class for Australian Stock Horse Mare.

Successful young rider, Erin Hodges rode the Hodges Family's 'Arakoola Harmony' (Nabinabah Easy Gun/Arakoola Melody) to fourth place in the strong class for Working Australian Stock Horse Mare.

At least Clem Smith and 'Florina' jumped clear, which is perhaps some consolation from their drenching. The jumping conditions were particularly unpleasant, but Clem and the imported For Feeling mare went on to take second place in the Section 2 class behind Amanda Madigan riding Oakes Altes. Today Sydney recorded its wettest April day in ten years.

Teena Bridge is pictured aboard Claire Mourant's 'Kirala Lyric' (Oaks Banjo/Jindaria Ringlette) during the Working Australian Stock Horse mare class. Earlier in the day and mercifully under cover, a delighted Teena claimed the ASHLA, always a tough class at Sydney.

Madalyn Watchirs rode Robert Watchirs' 'Watchirs Star' (Lindsay/Shinnok Chess) with plenty of dash to claim fourth place in the class for Working Australian Stock Horse Stallion.

Paul Wardell rode his own and wife Julie's home bred, 'Silverthorn Shogun' (Montcalm Luke/Haydon Avril) to third place in the Working Australian Stock Horse Stallion class. Paul was also second riding his super, 'Knights Jugaby'.

Bill Peadon rode his own and wife Julie's very successful,. 'Bibbenluke Selena' (Tassas Robin Hood/ Hannaford Stud Freedom) to win the class for Working Australian Stock Horse Mare.

With Paul Dehnert now in the saddle, the Supreme Led Australian Stock Horse, 'Royalle Heartacre' (Acres Destiny/Royalle Nightingale) won the Working Australian class and was declared Reserve Champion Working Australian Stock Horse.