A FINE showing of Australia's own riding horses paraded for Queensland judge Brett Welsh at the Royal Melbourne Horse Show.
Welsh chose Jason Fry's Condamine Liberty Belle as his supreme led horse.
A classic type, bay with a big white star, she was also reserve champion working horse to Chantelle Layton's grey stallion Cunnoo Destiny's Blueprint
In the ridden section, Mrs S Davidge's Jindalee Casanova was champion.
In the riding pony ring, which always attracts the biggest number of spectators, supreme champion led show pony was Kolbeach Stud's Kolbeach Contata, ably shown by Robert Cockram for Angeline Penalurick and the champion ridden show pony was Gordon Park Supanovia, shown by Abby Clark.
Show hunters continue to grow in popularity, and with so many of these showing their versatility in dressage and performance as well as the show ring, they are no longer considered the poor relation.
Rocky Hill Stud's Langtree Masterpiece was victorious with some fine work, and the winning newcomer was Nirelle Somerville's Kolbeach Bells, who added the award to his growing collection in what has been a super season for him.
The Australian National Saddle Association has a huge following in NSW and this was its first major showing in Victoria. While numbers were not huge, it will no doubt grow.
The ridden ANSA champion was Jindalee Casanova, owned by the Davidge family.
And Vancouver Park Cardeau was another multi-section winner, taking out the supreme led sash for this section.
Arabians are always a pleasure to watch, and those of us old enough to remember Jean Luckock's wonderful stallion Rami always look forward to the judging of the Rami challenge sashes awarded to the best young colt and filly of this lovely breed.
The Rami Sash for colts was won by the Malabu Partnership's Challs Charm, and in the filly section, Ms D Gilbee's Temar Adalita was the winner.
