2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show

Dan Steers from Western Australia earned 65.50 riding his 'Taunton Vale Zinnia' in the first round of the World Championship Campdraft. The competition is conducted over five days with the combination scoring the highest declared Champion.

Robert Neville did not have the best of days in the first round of the World Championship Campdraft riding his 'Soda Tory'. However, it is early days yet.

Seventeen year old Ben Maytom got his World Championship Campdraft hopes off to a great start. He rode 'Maytom's Gem' for a great run and a winning score of 86.50.

Unfortunately Mark Barton did not have the best of runs with his 'Wallabie Milo' during the first round of the World Championship Campdraft. They hope to improve their position over the forthcoming four rounds.

Mick Alchin and 'Cass' were up on the pace but well into the run the beast gave them the slip for a score of 20.50 after the first round of the World Championship Campdraft.

The 2008 World Champions, Warwick Lawrence and 'Conductor' really kept their hopes alive for back to back titles. They scored 86 after a super run in the first round.

Allan Young earned a respectable 70 riding 'Acres Liberty Beau' in the first round of the World Championship Campdraft.

Troy Palmer is up there with the leaders scoring a good 82 riding his typey 'Binna Impressive Destiny' in the first round of the World Championship Campdraft.

Veteran Campdrafter, John Stanton earned a respectable 64 riding his 'Stanton Stud Cooper' in the first round of the World Championship Campdraft.

Sarah Smith from Beaudesert in Queensland is pictured with her own and Damien Smith's, 'Rosemount Gossip'. The 2yo colt by Warrawong Magnum out of Royal Opera won his class and went on to be declared Reserve Champion Australian Stock Horse Stallion/Colt.

Emily Blinkworth got her show off to a good start by jumping two super clear rounds riding her 'CP Romantic Dream' to take second place in the first Section 2 class

Linda Dobson and 'Argyle Stables Indigo' from Western Australia look set to have a good Section 2. The winners of the 2008 Brigadoon World Cup had one down against the clock to take fourth place in first Section 2 class.

Mrs Louise Crump from Ettalong in NSW won the Australian Stock Horse Led Mare Four Years and Over, Over 15hh class with her 'Rosebrook Shanggrila'. The typey mare by Booerie Creek Flying Star out of Rosebrook Willow went on to be declared Champion Mare/Filly and Supreme Champion Led Australian Stock Horse.

Jono Berry is pictured riding Jamie and Kerrie Winning's imported Quick Star stallion, 'Quincy Z', in the first Section 2 class of the Royal.

Amanda Madigan rode the Diamond B Farm and Australian Sporthorse Breeder's nomination, 'TP Gifted' to take third place in the first Section 2 jumping class of the show.

Last to go in the four horse jump off, Jenny Sheppard rounded up the opposition with Andrew Inglis and Paul Kelly's super mare , Licara R, to win the first Section 2 class of the show. Interestingly the first three in the class were mares ridden by girls. (Just a statistic, nothing more.)

Kerry Barlow is pictured driving her own and R & W Barlow's 'Nagero Flash Dancer' (Bamborough Heroic/Karlamia Flirt) that took fourth place in the class for Non Hackney Pony Stallion/Colt.

There were some really lovely ponies in the Non Hackney Pony Stallion/Colt class. Amanda Ragg is pictured with one of them, the Ragg and Proctor Show Team nomination, 'Krystal Park Limited Edition' .

Allan Brown is pictured with his successful ,'Keral Izon' (Caringa Pegasus/Kandawarra Katinka) that won the class for Non Hackney Pony Stallion/Colt.

Michelle Barrera has a determined look on her face as the Australian Sporthorse Breeders' Indorado mare, 'Alondra' looks to be floating over this big oxer during the first Section 1 class.

Colleen Brook is in full flight with Peter Carcary's Thoroughbred, 'Poets Corner' during the first Section 1 jumping class. Clear in the first round and first out against the clock, they jumped a super clear to finish in third place.

It was good to see Paul Athanasoff with his and Charlie Hooke's wonderful stallion, 'Wirragulla Nicklaus' back in the jumping arena. They jumped and impressive double clear to fourth place in the first Section 1 class.

Queensland combination, Tim Amitrano and his World Cup Finalist and Olympic horse, 'Mr Innocent' looked good during the first round of the Section 1 class today. One fence down kept them from the jump off, but doubtless we will be seeing more of this talented combination during the show.

Many viewers have seen Queensland jumping rider, Merrick Ubank, but may not have realised it. Merrick was the riding double for Hugh Jackman in the film Australia. Merrick is pictured with his talented Thoroughbred, Dover Street during the first Section 1 class.

The super 'Ashleigh Drossel Dan' in typical pose, well above the fence and calmly attentive. Laurie Lever and his Olympic Team Member jumped two easy clear rounds for second place in the first Section 1 class.

Paul and Julie Waddell's successful stallion, 'Knights Jugaby' (Warrenbri Romeo/Kasavina) strides out confidently on his way to claiming his second Champion Australian Stock Horse Stallion Award at Sydney Royal.

David Dobson captained the victorious Trans Tasman Team in a recent trip to New Zealand and jumped a super fast round against the clock to take first honours in the Section 1 Jumping class this afternoon riding his stallion, 'Argyle Stables Pico Bello'..

Bryson Bensley drove his 'Stillbrook Tabitha' (Calypso Candyman/Pen-nant Melody) to win the class for Non Hackney Harness Horse 14-15hh and drove on to claim the Non Hackney Harness Horse Championship.

Shane Keir drove the Keir Family, Canberra Park, Stepalong Lodge and Springfield Stud's nomination, 'Canberra Park Velvet Queen' to second place in the Non Hackney Harness Horse 14-15hh. The home bred mare by Canberra Park Senator out of Canberra Park Velvet went on to claim the Reserve Non Hackney Harness Horse Championship.

Well known harness exhibitor and driver, Max Pearce won the Non Hackney Harness Horse class with his own and Rick Jones' 'Cherry Farm Golden Maid'.