THE hardy ponies in Wales may be up to their necks in snow but the Welsh ponies of Victoria showed that furnace-like weather wouldn't stop them putting on a great show.
The occasion was the Victorian All Welsh event at Tatura, on one of the hottest weekends for years.
Nawarrah Park Ursula, the champion Cob mare, owned by the Howe family, was the supreme exhibit, winning the Eileen Bartram Perpetual Trophy.
She was shown by Megan Howe in her classes, paraded after the presentation first by young handler Trent Forge, then by judge Owen Jones, of Nebo Stud, in Wales.
In addition to showing his own animals in the UK, Owen prepares and shows animals for local and overseas clients.
The mare gave a fantastic show for him that was hugely appreciated by the crowd.
Another to get an enormous round of applause was Indi Pavarotti, the champion section C Colt and Best Section C Youngstock. The youngster, owned by Mark and Denise Brown, is a real showman.
Sue Coughlan had every reason to be thrilled with her winning best youngstock Cob, Abergavenny Archilles (Imp).
He is newly imported, having arrived only in November.
Cataraqui Shadowfax, the champion Cob stallion, owned by Kevin, Jan and Shaun Brennan, caused a sensation in more ways than one.
A flick of his head had his handler standing with bridle and no horse as the class started.
The stallion spent 10 minutes playing free before being recaptured, then going on to win his class.
Rhadlon Arddel White, shown by Laurie and Dee White, was top junior section C Welsh Pony of Cob type filly. She is a daughter of many times supreme champion mare Acheron Awel.
Teresa Townsend had a great show, winning the Section C stallion sash with Cataraqui Hasufel and champion section C mare sash with Meithrin Chantilly Lace.
Dainty yearling filly Elargee Plumberry was junior champion Welsh Mountain filly for Elargee Stud, Best Youngstock of Show, and finally, supreme Welsh Mountain Pony.
Gordon, Chris and Lana Gray, of Elargee, had a great show, with Elargee Tobruk judged the junior champion Welsh A colt.
Alcheringa Pocket was champion Welsh Mountain stallion for Michael and Lyn Paterson, while Avlon Jenny Wren was champion Welsh Mountain mare for Alice Austin.
