According to Tracie Wells the showdown between herself and her daughter Tahlia was a history-making moment, although the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) was unable to verify the claims at the time of going to press. 

Tracie is no stranger to competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show (SRES), having competed in the ring for the last 17 years.

But this year will be one she remembers after being named Reserve Champion Lady Rider. An extraordinary achievement for Tracie on her horse “Showman” who was competing against five riders, some more than half her age.

And what made it even more memorable was the fact she rode into the arena with her 17-year-old daughter Tahlia by her side.

“The first time I competed at the Easter Show, Tahlia was nine months old,” she said.

“I would never have thought, nearly at 50, that I’d compete in such a prestigious event...with my daughter... I wonder if this would ever happen again?”

Tracie was full of praise for the number of competitors from the Young district who competed in the SRES, saying Young always holds its own.

“We have a strong showing community which only breeds strength again,” she said.

“Strength breeds strength - once competition is strong you push each other in a healthy, competitive mindfield.”

Tahlia, riding “Jaybee Giorgio” - generously lent to her by Deanne Benton of Murrumbateman - won her Novice 17-21 years Lady Rider event which made her eligible for the championship class, and second in the Open 17 to 21.

Once again the Owen and Bronwyn Parker-owned “Midwave Resistance” excelled in his classes, winning the Australian National Saddle Horse Led Gelding 14-15hh.

He also took second in the Ladies Show Hunter Galloway, and fifth in the Open Show Hunter Galloway. 

Bridget Sell took a step down from last year’s judging duties to get back in the saddle at this year’s show.

Bridget rode “Calvin Park Dark Knight”, owned by Laura Ryn of Sydney, to third place in his Open Galloway Class.

He went on to be ridden by 14-year-old Tori Wall who did an instrumental job in placing third in a strong Childs Galloway class.

Tori competed in six classes during her time in Sydney, and earned herself a second place in her Novice Girl Rider 12-17 years and a fourth in her Open Girl Rider 12-15 years.

As Tori came second to the champion winner, she was eligible to contest for Reserve Champion Girl Rider.

“She coped with the pressure - it was invaluable for her experience at that level in a major championship, not riding her own horse, instead that of the Wells family,” fellow competitor Tracie Wells said.

Tori wishes to thank Bridget and Laura for allowing her to ride Calvin, as well as the Wells family for lending her “Daydream Believer” for her riding classes.

“It was an amazing opportunity to ride such a gentleman,” she said.

Stepping up from behind the scenes to compete this year was Alex Tout who competed on a horse of his own, Shorae. 

Alex earned himself a third in his Novice Hack 16-16.2hh, a second in his Novice Gentleman Rider Over 17 years, and a second in his Open Rider 17 to 21 years.

Understandably earning a ribbon at the Sydney Royal is something all competitors aspire to do, and local Ann McCleland has done just that on a horse she prepared for mother and son duo, Diana and Tim Boyd of Young.

The pinto mare, “Murrabong Touch of Colour” was named Reserve Champion Pinto Mare. She also took a second place in the Pinto Mare Over 14hh, and second in the Best Marked Pinto.

“It’s one of the ultimate things to get a ribbon at the Sydney Royal, it’s one of the things people really aspire to do,” Ann said.

Competing in the Area 5 Pony Club Showjumping class was 14-year-old Charlie Eason who competed in the Under 17s.

Charlie was among a team of four competitors representing South West NSW.

“The Area 5 team was running second after the first round, and unfortunately ended up coming sixth after a not very good second round,” Charlie’s father Rob said.

The Bribbaree Pony Club had a strong presence at the show with three members competing in the Pony Club class.

Lucy Hunter of Bribbaree competed in the Area 5 Pony Club Sporting class made up of a team of five, including Lily Walsh of Forbes, Paige Gready of Leeton and Sophie Welsh of Eugowra.

Despite being somewhat outmatched the team reached several finals and finished fifth.

Alice Hayes and Tessa Watson represented Zone 2 Pony Club Show Riding where they secured themselves an eighth position in the pairs event.

The duo also competed in the individual riding event of which Alice made the finals.

“It was a great experience for them - it’s a long way from Bribbaree to the Royal Easter Show,” Alice’s mum Anna Hayes said.