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Morgans at Melbourne Summer Royal
Horse owners to attend. Not only is it important to show other
people that we are serious with our breed, in a lovely setting,
My thanks to all who entered and competed at the RASV
Royal Melbourne Horse Show held at Werribee Park National
Equestrian Centre. We had our highest entry numbers ever,
with six pure bred Morgans (including two stallions) and
seven part bred Morgan horses. These horses were very well
presented and drew some very favourable comments from the
judge, Hans Mees. It was a great effort, especially when some
classes, including Western Horses, were cancelled, due to lack
of entries. This show is an important show in Victoria and it
is important to have this opportunity to showcase our breed to
other members of the equestrian world.
Ribbons and sashes, as seen in the results, were well spread around
those participating. In the pure bred field congratulations went
to Kerry Hill’s Mt Tawonga Campbell for the Best Presented
Pure Bred Morgan. He was presented by Linda Brooks, who
will be heading to Western Australia in March to judge at the
National Morgan Show. The Supreme Champion Led Pure Bred
(Conformation Class) was won by stallion Watching Royalty,
presented by MHAA President, Beccara Lloyd. Watching
Royalty has won this class for the last couple of years at the
ANMS, so it was pleasing to see that the judge confirmed what
we already knew: Roy is a wonderful example of the Morgan
breed. The third Pure Bred Class – Ridden – was another
interesting variation for the results. The Champion Ridden was
won by the stallion, Shibui All Black (aka Elton), owned by
Gillian Wooldridge and ridden by Erin Funk. In this class each
of the horses was given a workout, very much like a dressage
test, and Elton did a brilliant job. We hope that Gillian can find
time to train him and take him to some dressage competitions.
Gillian, who had been talked into entering the show by myself
and had then been really busy and hard pressed to get the time
to prepare her horse for the show, had a big smile on her face
with this final result.
with heaps of room in the rings, but I also use it as a learning
time, to see what other people and their horses are wearing and
enjoy having a roam in the retail tents, seeing what new clothing
and bling brow bands are on offer. Even if you cannot present
your horse at this show next year, come along and be our support
crew and you will learn heaps. Next year you can use the 2016
Summer Royal as good preparation for the Australian National
Morgan Show which will be held in Victoria that year.
Kerry Hill
Some comments from other members
on the Melbourne Summer Royal
Michelle
Higgins: “Big
day for Hodgson
Park Telopea at
his first outing.
He was so calm
and relaxed and
made me very
proud. Also great
bonding with
older buddy Red
Bluff Killarny
who was 1st
Pure Morgan
Gelding, Telopea
a respectable
3rd.”
The Part Bred results were equally pleasing. There was a
real mixture of secondary breeds in the part bred field, from
Thoroughbred to Friesian. In Best Presented, Whispering Pines
Ame’us and Kelly Gordan took out the honours. They, too, were
very successful at the last ANMS, so it was good to see these
results confirmed at this show. Kelly’s winning streak continued
with first place in the Ridden Part Bred Morgan Class. Well
done. The Supreme Champion Part Bred Morgan (Led Class)
was awarded to Georgia Hill and Silverline Ember, a mare bred
from Karenza Astra. Georgia has been unwell and it was a real
effort for her to come to the show. Well, this result certainly
boosted up her spirits.
Hodgson Park Telopea & Michelle Higgins
Jessica Mason: “Lovely day out to Melbourne Summer Royal
2015. Red Bluff Nakita was back to her usual lovely self and
had a super first time under saddle. Bunara Crimson Queenie
had her first big outing and the judge loved her! Said she held
her own with the big kids and had beautiful movement and
a big future ahead. Really excited to see how she grows and
to have her as my next riding horse in the future. We got to
catch up with some fellow Morgan people and see some lovely
new horses which we hadn’t seen before. All in all, a good day
out.”
It was a great day for everyone, and a great way to catch up with
all the news. The led classes started at 9am on Saturday morning,
which did involve some early rising, but there was then a good
two hour break before the ridden classes at 1.30 in the afternoon,
so we had plenty of time to warm up (and settle) our horses. We
shared the ring with the Friesian Horses, which meant that the
Morgan Part Bred, Mountain Creek Anton (with Friesian links),
certainly caught the attention of these competitors.
This is one show that I would encourage all Victorian Morgan
Red Bluff Nakita, Jessica Mason & Bunara Crimson Queenie
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