Local riders show stoppers

Young’s showing community certainly held their own against travellers from as far as Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, producing some impressive results.

Fourteen-year-old Tahlia Wells rode her “Daydream Believer” to win Champion Pony Club Girl Rider 13-17 years.

She then competed against riders much older than her to claim the Supreme Champion Pony Club Rider of the Show.

This lovely combination also won the Open Girl Rider 13-15 years, second in the Ridden ANSA and sixth in the Working Hunter (jumping) event.

Tahlia’s other results include second JR Novice Dressage, third JR Elementary Dressage, and fifth in both the Warmblood Gelding and Ridden Warmblood.

Jessica Crea also had success in the Pony Club Girl Rider 13 years claiming second in a strong class aboard her “Bannerman Bronson”.

Karen Crea rode “Bronson” to place in the top eight in the Open Show Hunter Horse 15.2-16h event.

National champion rider Bridget Sell was successful in a strong class for Open Lady Riders, claiming top two aboard her well-performed “Universal Law”.

Bridget competed to a high standard in other hack events.

The McClelland family and Mrs Diana Boyd were successful with their homebred “Murrabong Touch of Colour” (with handler Matthew Hall, who also was top six Open Gent Rider), winning the Led Pinto Mare or Filly and runner up Best Marked Pinto Exhibit.

Bronwyn Parker’s “Midwave Resistance” performed well to receive top eight in the strongly contested Novice Show Hunter Galloway class.

A few more junior riders were successful, including 13-year-old Patrick Scorse who claimed Reserve Champion Palomino Male with his lovely “Aratahnes Graphic”, amongst strong competition.

Eleven-year-old Tori Wall had a busy show riding Penny Gibson’s “Bamborough Prunella” winning the Ridden Welsh Mountain Pony, Ridden Australian Saddle Pony under 12h and Reserve Champion Ridden Welsh Exhibit, as well as fourth in the Novice Pony Hack under 12h.

Tori also competed on her “Lydena Realm” to place top eight in the Pony Club Girl Rider 11-13 years out of 30 riders, whilst mother Leanne rode “Realm” to top five Novice Galloway 14-14.2h.

Keeping Tori busy, she also rode “Avlon Erian” owned by the Smart Family of Forbes to place second novice and third Open Show Hunter Pony under 12h, as well as coming eighth in Pony Club Rider 11 years to 13 years.

Penny Gibson and “Concept” gained fifth place in ANSA Mare or Gelding under saddle over 15hh-16hh.

Six-year-old Bridey Gibson rode “Bamborough Prunella”, expertly assisted by David Hall, to place top six in of the most hotly contested events of the show; the Leading Rein Pony class.

Bridey also placed fourth in her Rider under seven years class.

Brooke, Christine and Alex Stevenson of Stevenson Family Show Stables had a successful event with their team of three horses.

Brooke Stevenson rode the family’s homebred “Marbuck Tuqiri” to win the Champion Novice Show Hunter Horse and top two in the strongly contended Open Show Hunter Horse 15.2-16h.

“Tuqiri” has only been competing for six months, so this was a huge achievement against seasoned horses.

“Bamborough September Song” also had success claiming Reserve Champion Part Welsh Mare, first Led Australian Saddle Pony, and top two in four ridden events.

“Bamborough Memorize” also did well winning the Led Partbred APSB class and placing in all his events.

Heidi Stevens from Wombat enjoyed success with her Welsh Cob “Rockfire Cardi”, who claimed second in the Led Welsh Cob and Led Buckskin.

Brooke rode “Cardi” to claim first Ridden Buckskin and second Ridden Welsh Cob, whilst Heidi also won Reserve Champion Led Hackney with her “Ellmore Black Velvet”.

Local dressage star Sue Walker won the Official Advanced Dressage with her “Noble Monach”, who also claimed the Led Sport Horse Stallion and Ridden Sporthorse classes.

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the Royal Canberra Show; in doing so they have represented the local area with much success.

In particular, the younger members of the team have done themselves, and the Young Pony Club, extremely proud.

Of course, all the hard work behind the scenes cannot go unnoticed; thank you to all the helpers, grooms, workers and families who make getting into the show ring possible.

This event has proven even more so that the showing community in Young is up there with the best of the best in the country.