It is really remarkable how this show comes together for this very hard working committee of eleven who excel with everything that has to be done to make the event a pleasure for competitors and spectators. Held over two days, this years South Australian Horse of the Year was a huge success on levels, the judging panel was perfect, those of us ringside were treated to seeing a clear and level rewarding of quality work and type of horse or pony, as it should be when you have judges like Anna Duffy of WA; a breeder of pony and galloways,  national level competitor and champion at Royal show level, Gaylene Lennard of NZ; with a record of wins including consecutively 7 times hack of year plus 5 time galloway of the year, Gaylene’s direction is now towards top level dressage and Nicole Jamieson of Qld; well known showie with wins across the board from royal, state and national level, currently campaigning her own galloway with two horse of the year awards plus a royal win to their credit.  These three ladies judged the HOY classes and Newcomer classes over the two days.

Local judges from SA saw to the judging of the Owner Rider and the Grand Slam events, Helen Degenhardt with a passion for the showring, Helen has competed successfully with major wins in many levels, Pam Barratt has shown a number of successful horses over the year including royal and a Pope cup winner, both were delighted to be judging within their home state.

Of course here follows the sponsors and with Barastoc, Horseland and a list of many others this show gets the ability to run, but a new sponsor on this year and may I say a popular one at that was Haigh’s Chocolates .. judges were presented with the most spectacular baskets of chocolates, see the photo later on in report, which was just so unfair to someone who just loves chocolate … we did try and convince NZ judge Gaylene that she could not take chocolate back into NZ with no luck, so I am pretty sure I saw a shop on the way out that I could stop in and get a Haigh’s choccie fix when I fly out tomorrow. That said we always will encourage exhibiters and spectators support all those that make these events possible so please review the sponsors list further in report and support were you can.

On with the show, and its with sadness I bring the news the master of the show ring Flawless who again took the Charlotte Scott SA Large Show Horse of the Year  will be retired after he competes at the Nationals in December, I think it will be a long time till we see another so electrifying and exciting like Flawless, Leanne Donoghue has taken this horse from a pretty unruly character into a true showman, she worked tirelessly with his over the top enthusiasm bringing together a horse that when he works it is pure magic to watch, congratulations to Leanne on what she has accomplished and even though a Victorian I will be cheering this combo on at the Nationals as it would be lovely to see Flawless go out the champion that he is. Runner up large Hack was the new kid on the block Chicago and Tess Hughes, a sweet combination that was a pleasure to watch.  Third was M Higginbottom’s Mentome Alabama still fresh from his win of the Newcomer yesterday, 4th was Melissa Karutz Byalee Millions [did I mention this was one tough class ..!]   5th was Rachel Lawrie’s Bond, and 6th  was CK Secret Affairs owned and ridden by Cassandra White.