SHOWING horses is not all pomp and ceremony, writes ANNIKA SMETHURST
They paraded in jewels, with braided hair and expensive make-up for the southern hemisphere's biggest equine breed show last week.
And that was just the horses.
Owners, trainers, riders and support crews were there too, grooming, plaiting and polishing their mounts for competition.
Held at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the four-day Royal Melbourne Horse Show showcased more than 40 breeds and 30 new classes.
Riders in tweed jackets, dun and banana-coloured breeches, and bowler hats sweltered as the mercury hovered above 35C.
But it was all about the horses, with equine make-up, painted hooves, bridle bling and shark teeth brush marks across their flanks all part of the preparation for a royal show.
From the outside, horse showing with all its pomp and ceremony seems like a hobby for the rich and famous.
But in the stables, everyday people work hard for the love of their horses.
One of Australia's most talented horsewomen, Jackie Long, grew up with horses and dedicates at least six hours a day to working them.
Fitting this in around part-time jobs and family time, Ms Long's story is not dissimilar from many involved in showing horses.
She has won more than 100 champion titles, but her success has come at a cost.
The bill for preparing a horse for a royal show can run into tens of thousands of dollars, but the vast majority of competitors are not rich, or elite.
Many work more than one job and often put horse costs ahead of domestic costs.
"The prize money is almost zilch; at big shows such as the nationals you can win a few thousand dollars plus saddles and things, but it's not huge money," Ms Long said.
"I often ask myself why I do this, but it's more than money, it's a great challenge."
After weeks of specific feeding regimes and training schedules, horses are like primed athletes at the peak of their fitness, but the risk of injury is high.
"It can be disappointing when a lot of time and effort goes into preparing a horse before it is then pulled out," she said.
"When you travel a lot of things can go wrong."
But the hard work again paid off for Ms Long, who showed her star stallion Heza Star as well as clients' horses Kallenia Jessica II and Kirala First Impressions.
All received placings for Ivery Park Stud.
Kyabram rider Jess Williams said despite the hours of hard work she couldn't imagine life without horses: "I've been doing this since I could walk," Ms Williams said.
"It's really a family thing, there really wasn't a lot of choice, but the thing is, I really enjoy it."
Ms Williams said it would be impossible to compete without family support - everyone has their role, whether it's braiding manes, driving the float or helping fund the costly entry fees.
"It's easy to spend at least $10,000 on the horses preparing for an event, but you do it because you love it," she said.
This year the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria added classes for Riding Pony Stud Book Society over-height Show Hunters and Show Hacks, Open Breed Show Hunters under-14 hands, Fell Ponies, Champion Gypsy Cob Derivative and Saddle Horse Championships Champion Shetland.
The 2012 Best of Show Championship was won by DP Destiny, exhibited by the McMaster family of Locksley.
The bay mare, led by Simon De Leeuw, qualified for the Best of Show after victory in the Supreme Champion Led Show Hunter class.
