2011 Sydney Easter Royal Show

The Munzenberger and Richardson Families' nomination, 'Dorman Park Harmony' puts her best foot forward during the judging of the class for Non Hackney Pony Turnout early on the first morning of the 2011 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Just home from a successful tour of New Zealand, Billy Raymont got his Sydney Royal off to a good start by winning the Section 2 class this morning riding the French bred New Zealand owned, 'Cortaflex Nicilette NZPH'.

Western Australian rider and breeder, Rory Hovell got off to a good start aboard his impressive 'Yalambi's Val D'Isere' in the Section 2 class this morning. Sadly the lovely jumper, still quite green at this level was a little overawed by the surroundings. It is to be hoped and expected that they will improve as the show progresses.

Kelly Constable is pictured on the run with her 'Hamiltons Captivate' (Warrenbri Roman Oak/Hamiltons Capulet) that took second place in the class for Australian Stock Horse Mare Over 4 Years 15hh and Under.

Colin Parkinson's 'Rosebrook Sophia' (Rosebrook Shantung/Rosebrook Anika) is sticking close during the judging of the Champion Australian Stock Horse Mare. The shy Sophia won the class for Filly 2 Year and Under.

Loretta Lawson did the honours with Terry Blake's 'Coquon Holly' that won the class for Australian Stock Horse Mare 4 Year and Over 15hh and Under and later claimed the Australian Stock Horse Mare Championship.

Amy Mannix is pictured with the Mannix Family's 'Gooderah Aussie Gem' (Gooderah Kates Aussie/Condover Tina Arena) that won the class for Australian Stock Horse Mare 4 Years and Over, Over 15hh and claimed the Reserve Champion ASH Mare award.

Brett Warren from Queensland makes a good jump over Sydney Lamps during the first Section 1 jump off class riding his well performed nomination, 'Cheezy Z'.

Paul Athanasoff cancelled his trip to New Zealand and looks to be intent on having a super Sydney with his and Charlie Hooke's home bred sensation, the stallion, 'Wirragulla Nicklaus'. Out first in the jump off, they set a pace just fast enough to hold off the opposition to win the first Section 1 class this afternoon.

Vicki Roycroft's relatively new import, the Quidame de Revel gelding, 'Kartoon de Breve' jumped very well to take third place in the first Section 1 class this afternoon. It will certainly be interesting to watch their progress.

Jamie Kermond was second in the Olympic Cup at the New Zealand HOTY just a couple of weeks ago riding Jackie and Bob Cox's talented mare 'Colthaga'.. The effort earned them a London Olympic qualification. They are pictured during the first Section 1 class. They did not place but they are sure to be amongst the major prizes as the show progresses.

Michelle Lang-McMahon is back aboard the imported and much travelled Animo stallion, 'Animate' during the Section 1 class. Animate will be another to watch as the show progresses.

Regular and successful visitor from Victoria, Maureen Pengelly drove her delightful Welsh Pony, 'Owendale Apricot' to fourth place in the class for Non Hackney Pony Turnout.

Grant Hughes from Canberra has had a super jumping career and he doesn't look like stopping any time yet. Grant is pictured in full flight aboard 'Emmaville Ricochet' that took fourth place in the Section 1 jump off class this afternoon.

Paul Dehnert is pictured with Amanda Lennan-Dehnert's stallion, 'Royalle Heartacre' (Acres Destiny/Royalle Nightingale) that won the class for Australian Stock Horse Stallion 4 years and Over and went on to be declared Champion Stallion and Supreme led ASH Exhibit.

Jackie Boyd from Adelaide drove her charming part Fresian 'Shepherds Hill Mr Boyd' to win the class for non Hackney Horse Over 14hh Sulky Turnout. Apparently the vehicle is a "Drop Sided Lady's Sulky".

Amanda Blakeley is pictured at the reins of the Blakeley Family's 'Keville-Lee Fallon' that looks as if he has all four feet off the ground. They took fourth place in the class for Shetland Pony Show Vehicle Turnout.

Anne Oakford from Somerville in Victoria drove the charming Oakford, Reeve and Gorton nomination, 'Millbrae Medallion' to win the class for Shetland Pony Show Vehicle Turnout.

Christine McGregor from Freemans Reach in NSW drove the Mc Gregor Family's nomination, 'Judstan Lulu' to win the class for Novice Non Hackney Horse Over 14hh.

All the way from South Australia, Andy Cusack drove the Holberton and Cusack nomination, 'Makari Vitality' to second place in the class for Hackney Pony 10-12.2hh Show Vehicle Turnout.

Young Lachlan Ware pulled off and impressive double by taking out the Best Australian Stock Horse Gelding award with the Ware Family's 'Wun Gum Loan Oak' (Red Oak/Wun Gum Roulette), an award they claimed in 2010.

Jan Young from Queensland drove her well performed, 'Fernshaw Penny Lane' to take second place in the class for Non Hackney Show Vehicle Turnout 12.2-14hh.

Richard Bensley took the reins of the Bensley Family's super Welsh Cob, 'Pen-Nant High Flyer' for fourth place in the class for Non Hackney 12.2-14hh Show Vehicle Turnout.

Janet Exell from the Horsham area in Victoria is a relative of the WEG Driving Champion, Boyd Exell. Janet is pictured driving her 'Yanina Keep A Secret' in the class for Non Hackney Show Vehicle Turnout 12.2-14hh.

Jess Brown makes a lovely jump aboard her own and her father Rod Brown's lovely imported stallion, 'Higgins' by Heraldik during the first Section 2 class of the show. The jumping this year is spread throughout the show and set at prime time for the enjoyment of the show visitor.

Well known and successful international rider,David Dobson from Western Australia jumped a good clear in the first round of the Section 2 class this morning riding his, 'Argyl Stables Akon'. They finished just out of the money.

Amanda Madigan makes a beautiful jump aboard the Oaks Sporthorses and Diamond B Farm nomination, 'Oakes Altes' during the first round of the Section 2 class this morning. They continued on to finish third in the strong class.

Andrew Inglis, despite an injured elbow rod the impressive Darco mare, 'Amira' to second place in the Section 2 jump off class this morning.

Popular and successful Queensland rider, Clem Smith rode the imported For Feeling (by For Pleasure) mare, 'Florina' to fourth place in the Section 2 jump off class this morning.

Merrick Ubank's nomination, 'Hue and Cry' makes a perfect jump during the first round of the Section 2 class this morning. Unfortunately they were not all quite so good and the combination finished out of the money.