Geelong is the biggest regional agricultural show in Victoria and it’s a royal to boot.
This year saw a new horse committee bring new ideas and energy to the event, with fresh faces including horse section chairwoman Sarah Mathews, horse superintendent Lisa McLennan, showjumping superintendent Ella McCann and general members Bree Kellas, Bec Shute and Kate and Leanne Wingad.
The program catered for every possible competitor, with open and breed classes complemented with pony club, interschool showing and jumping and off-the-track sections, and owner rider classes throughout.
There were also, importantly, district classes where the led champion was Jessica Byrne’s Peterlouise Park Royale and the ridden champion was Taya Kellas’ MT Miss Dior. Taya was also named champion district rider.
In the show hunter rings, Warmbloods dominated. The champions were Brooke Wheeler’s Jenjan Furst Arrival in the novice, Jessica Dertell’s Yondella Davinci in the small show hunter hack and Madelon McDonald’s F1 Soliloquy in the large show hunter hack.
In the show hack section, Madeleine Tabak’s MT Flirt was best novice and was also winner of the open small hack championship. Alexa Ward’s EBL Empower was the large champion.
In the pony section, Daizi Plumb had a great show with DP Party named champion small pony and DP Victoria Secret the champion large pony.
Sienna Wright’s wonderful Owendale Beesting carried his rider to a win in the small show hunter pony championship and Taylor Shute’s Cimeron Poprock took the large pony hunter sash.
In the showjumping ring, the important contribution Ernie McCann and his wife, Edna, made to the society in the late 1930s when the society was in ruins is recognised every year.
The McCanns managed to keep the show going as World War II arrived and with the showgrounds being used for army barracks, shows were still held in places like Geelong West Oval and Corio Oval.
This year’s winner of the EW McCann memorial future stars championship was Kaylee Stephens riding Corocat Xtreme.
Phil Stephens riding Tulara Carrico won the Ryan McCubbin memorial newcomer championship.
Geelong provided a good list of classes for Australian Stock Horses where Michelle Gorton’s Michelle Gorton’s Oakton Lodge Sudden Impression took supreme led.
Michelle also showed Oakton Lodge Sudden Empress winning champion working ASH with Jane Allen’s Asar Collusion the reserve.
Montana Dickerson’s Bushdrift Fleetwood was the supreme ridden Stock Horse and took the young rider to a win in the junior class.
In the Standardbred section Will Cocks’ Sky in Oz was the winner of the Alabar Hero Series, and was also the best led male. Stacey Butcher’s Miss McBurn was best female and Sebastian Bellamy’s Mazza’s Delight was champion ridden Standardbred.
Geelong held a large harness section with some beautiful vehicles on display.
Christine Anderson’s Kilpara Park Mighty Mouse was champion harness Shetland and Esther Goodwin’s high stepping Viscountshill Cadillac continues to thrill the crowds, taking out the champion Hackney sash and supreme champion harness horse.
Elsa Avery is a long-time supporter of harness horses and her Crosswynds Our Brenin was champion harness horse.
Melissa Benallack’s Rochdale Twilight took out the championship for non-hackney ponies
In the Clydesdale and heavy harness horse section, Timothy Southern showed Lady Jay-Low to win supreme champion.
The champion pony club mount was Chloe Winter’s Bonsai Chantilly, with Mietta Lumsden the champion senior rider and Emmy Meyer the junior.
Full results
View and purchase ANDREA DUNN images from this event
See the whole gallery at The Regional.
This article appeared on The Regional on 8 November 2023.
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