THE first round of the Interschool Showjumping Series was held at Ayr Hill Equestrian Park and hosted by Hillcrest Christian College.

The series is conducted over four rounds during the year in turn by Hillcrest, the Peninsula School, Toorak College and the National Centre for Equine Education at Cranbourne.

It was set up to promote the sport of showjumping to school children by ensuring many more competition opportunities on courses designed by professionals.

In the all stars section, Tori Loriakos riding Arctic warrior was champion.

In the advance, Lauren Halstead riding Mr Presley jumped consistently to take out the title.

Jasmine Dennison and Lakevale Stylish Century won the progressive championship and Tiffany Sweet riding Billy swept the board in the improvers.

Ella Pusterla on Brooke was the winner of the freshman section.

Toorak College's team of Magenta Hornsey, Charlotte Townshend, Jasmine Dennison and Molly Morrison won the teams championship from Hillcrest Christian College's Alex Benson, Hayley Purcell, Tameisha Kelly and Gabrielle Lovett.

Despite having just three on their team, St Margaret's School Berwick riders Alice Kludass, Laura Breen and Pip Sampson did a super job to place third.

Australian Halter Showcase success

THE Australian Halter Showcase for 2010 was held from March 3-7 at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

Safe inside the big indoor away from the inclement weather that heavily affected many of the state's equestrian events, judges for this year's show were husband and wife Bob and Debbie Kail from Arizona in the US, who dealt efficiently with big classes of good horses.

The debutante two-year-old western pleasure is for two-year-olds that have never previously been shown under saddle.

Heats were held on Wednesday morning and the final in the evening was won by Winderadeen Chardonnay shown by Kelby Hutchinson.

The night program also featured the go-round of the youth western pleasure, with the eventual winner being Rebecca Boyd on Breezy Come Breezy Go.

On Thursday Holly Johnson, from Tamworth on board Liberation won the limited Hunter under saddle.

The All Age Trail showcase went to Annlee Wait N Cee ridden by Annette Boyd and Thursday's evening program featured a $2000 four and five-year-old western pleasure showcase.

Hez da One was the unanimous champion under both judges, with Gene Redwood from Berwick riding.

This combination was also the champions in the junior western pleasure the following morning.

The evening program was completed with the limited western pleasure.

Classically Rich, ridden by David Pearce for owner Paula DiCandillo from Western Australia was the winner.

The DiCandillo family were also very generous sponsors of the show.

On Friday, the Elite yearling halter showcase champion was Sirreal Kiss, owned by Julie Peterson.

The final of the amateur western pleasure was won by RQH Who's UR Daddy for owner Lyndal Dauth.

The super horse was completed and presentations made at the completion of the evening program.

This event is run over five legs, trail, halter, hunter under saddle, western pleasure and reining with the events being held over two days.

The winner was David Norbury from Kinglake with Hez Radical Two.

On Saturday evening with the storms battering Melbourne there was a very full program. The $3000 all-age non-pro halter showcase with Sirreal Kiss again the champion. The two-year-old halter showcase went to Nareeb Nareeb This Is It and Melinda Roffey.

The $6000 three-year-old western pleasure was won by Winderadeen Havalilfaith, who had previously won the three-year-old hunter under saddle class.

The $2000 open-reining champion was well-known trainer Glenn Browitt from Pearcedale on board Yugilbar Request a Melody.

The highlight of the evening was the invitational pink pleasure.

This event was run as an official fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation.