2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show

The McMahon and McCormick camp from Victoria would be well pleased with the day's work today. Chanel Hunter rode the beautiful home bred, 'Leanda Hello Dolly' (pictured) to win the class for Open Ponies 12.2-13hh. Later in the day Grace Hill rode the sensational small pony, 'Silkwood Angel Wings' to win the class for Open Ponies 11.2-12hh.

Martine Duncan rode her own and Joan Paculan's 'Rathowen Saxony' to take second place in the class for Open Ponies 12.2-13hh.

Courtney Herd rode the De Leeuw, Withers and Richardson nomination, 'Hibrie Symphony' to sixth place in the class for Open Ponies 12.2-13hh.

Ryan Johnson worked his way up the line riding the Johnson and Johnson McNeil nomination, 'Westlake Star Appeal' to fourth place in the class for Open Ponies 12.2-13hh.

Chantelle Gehrer is pictured working out in the strong Open Pony 12.2-13hh class riding her own, 'Langtree Gigolo'. Despite a good workout, they finished just out of the money.

Greg Shepherd is pictured with his, 'Harmony Hill Anakin' (Arundel House Amaani/Harmony Hill Imagine) that was declared Reserve Champion Led Arabian Derivative Stallion/Colt. Greg went on to also take out the Reserve Champion Ridden Arabian Derivative award with his typey stallion.

Elise Douglas won the Open Pony 13-13.2hh class with her super well performed, 'Mirinda Touch of Mink'. This wonderful pony, bred at Peter and Robyn Barry's Mirinda Stud in Victoria has won this class at Sydney Royal for the last three years.

Chelsea Morelli rode Ermond and Cherie Morelli and Joanne Prestwidge's 'Falconhurst World Class' to third place in the class for Open Ponies 13-13.2hh.

Tiffany Greenhill from the Mornington Peninsular in Victoria rode her own and Denise Burgoine's 'Glyndebourne Monopoly' to take fourth place in the class for Open Ponies13-13.2hh.

Trina Crawford rode Rebecca Brown and Hillview Thoroughbred's 'Westlake Hampton Court' to sixth place in the class for Open Ponies 13-13.2hh.

'Miranda Royal Emblem' has been National Large Pony of the Year twice and even though that was some time ago he can still manage to work a treat to place in an Open Pony class at Sydney Royal. Exhibited by the Wells Family Royal Emblem is being ridden by Annie Wells.

Jenna Maas rode the Redlands Stables and Karen Shaw's lovely Victorian bred pony, 'Ascot Scarlet O'Hara' to be just out of the ribbons in the strong class for Open Ponies 13.2-14hh.

It is good to see Katrina Metherall back in the showring and back in the winners circle. Katrina from Victoria rode her own and Rosemary Metherall's, 'Kolbeach Carnival' to win the class for Open Ponies 13.2-14hh.

Kaycee Wallen measured up from the 13-13.2hh class to the Open 13.2-14hh class with her, 'Kolbeach Classic'. The young rider from Queensland earned a work out, but was just out of the ribbons.

Greg Shepherd is pictured on the move with Sarah Adam's super 'EBL Juliett' (Jive Magic imp/Stirling Scarlet), that was declared Champion Led Arabian Derivative Mare.

Andrew Buckley won the Arabian Derivative Mare Three Years and Over, Over 15hh with his 'Lush' that went on to claim the Reserve Led Arabian Derivative Mare Championship.

Sracey Oakley rode her beautiful Naturalism gelding, 'WS Adelante' to take fourth place in the class for Open Hacks Over 16.2hh.

At the RAS NSW Horse Industry lunch today, RAS Councillor and Chairman of the Horse Committee, Graham Davey presented veterinarian, Derek Major with the annual RAS Contributor of the Year Award. Dr Major has been Chief Veterinarian of the RAS for ten years and made an outstanding contribution during the 2007/2008 Equine Influenza outbreak.

Stephanie Barrington is at the beginning of a great partnership with the sensational hack, 'LA'. Stephanie won the Lady Rider 17-21 Years earlier in the day, but finished in sixth place in the Open 16-16.2hh Hack class due to an incorrect workout.

Tammy Notman's Zabeel gelding, 'MP Galveston' looked in absolutely beautiful condition and today he produced work to match. Third in his Novice class yesterday, Galveston was on top form today and claimed the class for Open Hacks 16-16.2hh.

Sixteen year old Rose McEvoy produce a lovely workout with her own and Margot Haynes' 'Grazier'. Rose from Strathmore in Victoria managed what many of her more senior peers could not and took third place in the Open Hack 16-16.2hh.

David Warde from Victoria had a super show with Helen Burns and Maryjane Mitton's wonderful, 'Uhavta Country Charm' (Urubula Regal Promise/Rejina Niki). The typey stallion has it all. He was declared Champion Led Arabian Derivative Stallion, Supreme Arabian Derivative and (pictured) took out the Ridden Arabian Derivative Championship as well. David tells us the horse will now retire from the show ring, if so it was a great way to go.

Andrew Buckley stepped out with his, Elizabeth Howard's and EB Lodge's newly imported, 'What's Colour' imp (Samber/Orayah). The eye catching horse was competing in the Arabian Derivative classes.

Called in first, Courtney Christie and Stephen Merry's National Champion Small Hack, 'Magnifique', was reluctant to leave the line up. Despite going on to work well, she paid dearly for the early misdemeanour, to be awarded fourth place in the Open 15-2-16hh class.

Courtney Midson made the most of her opportunities with Sidney Anning's, 'Gillespie'. Called in third, they worked a treat to win the Open 15.2-16hh class and with it the Tony Haynes Memorial Trophy.

Dale Plumb was at short odds to win the Open 15.2-16hh hack class with his newly crowned Grand National Small Hack, 'DP Mayfair'. Another a little reluctant to leave the line, the beautiful horse finished the class in third place.

South Australian rider, Samantha Kennedy was second in the Novice 15.2-16hh class yesterday with her 'Suave', but finished just out of the ribbons in the Open class this afternoon.

A busy Mark Kenzig finished just out of the money in the Open 15.2-16hh class with his own and Neil Carpenter's 'Grandeur' (pictured) .However, Mark made it a Novice/Open double with Belinda Scanlon's 'Alkyra Elegance' that won the Open 15-15.2hh class this afternoon.

Courtney Christie rode her own and Christine Frost's lovely 'Elmdale Park Precision' to take second place in the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.

Georgina Wadsworth from Sydney rode her own, 'Solitary man' to third place in the class for Open Hack 15-15.2hh.