article & photographs supplied by Michelle Kelcey

The Hygain Masters is the first of Victoria's season’s “big-time” shows and organisers pulled out all stops to make it an enjoyable occasion for competitors and officials. As well as the horse competitions, the riders and owners enjoyed a Saturday night free barbeque with guest speakers, event rider Georgia Cullen and show rider Francesca Christie.

The show received it’s highest ever entries and perfect weather over the two days at Werribee Park, and managed to finish exactly on time.

The Debutante section for inexperienced animals produced some nice new faces.The winning pony 12.2hh or less was the elegant, little Langtree Gemima, shown by Christy O'Sullivan and Clint Bilson, and Lynda Hayes showed Kolbeach Promise to win the Debutante over 12.2 hh and not more than 14 hh Promise has already had a successful career as a led pony.

The winner of the Galloway Debutante class had everybody commenting on her quality, English Rose, ridden by Michael Christie seems set for a top line show career. Michael Christie collected another Debutant sash in the hack section, riding Rule, owned by Caroline Reid.

The Show Hunter section is always popular, and the lovely, powerful and well-mannered horses provided their riders and the crowd with handsome performances. The small pony hunter winner was Melinda and Erika-Grant’s Dalgangle Hunterway and the big pony title was won by Sally Belcher and Lisa Kellock’s Belaradah Fantasia .
The champion Galloway hunter award went to Shelley Penny’s Sheldene Turn the Page, and Shae Hanger’s giant grey, War Wind is no stranger to winning hunter titles, having won champion show hunter at Sydney. He added the HyGain sash to his collection here.

In the open saddle section, another that is no stranger to winning wide sashes is the champion ridden Shetland, Narelle Munday and Kara Woolcock’s Bojinda Little Kimbo, a classic Shetland, beautifully educated, he headed a line-up of very good ponies. It would possibly be easier to say when the McCormick and McMahon Families’ Silkwood Angel Wings hasn’t won, and the dainty little bay mare was the winner her in the championship for ponies 12.2hh and under. Susanna Burt’s elegant young mare, Castleton Velvet Rose worked out for champion pony at the recent Royal Melbourne Show, but was overawed on that occasion by the hullabaloo of a busy arena, but at Werribee Park in quieter surroundings, she settled well and showed her lovely movement to perfection to win the champion pony sash up to 14hh.

Christine Frost and Francesca Christie showed a lovely, brown homebred mare in Elmdale Park Ambiants to win the 14.2 hh Galloway championship, and C Kuhn and Michael Christie showed Mirinda Eyeliner, winner of last year’s Debutante class to win the over 14.22h to 15hh class.  Michael Christie finished off a big day with a win in the small hack titles with Caroline Reid’s beautiful Flirting, and Steven Merry And Francesca Christie repeated last years’ open win with the big Thoroughbred, L.A.

The Leading Rein championship, for tiny ponies ridden on the lead and piloted by little riders seven years or less was won by Tarragon Park Tuxedo, shown by Jo Cash.

<<<Open Judges Jo Sach, Joanne Prestwidge, Robyn Barry & Melissa McCauley

full results

Intermediate Galloway winner Nu Vogue & Elly Rodges

Langtree Gemima owned Christy O’Sullivan & Clint Bilson winner of the Metherall Family Debutante Small Pony

Rebecca Farrow winner of the Champion Senior Rider with Hankook sponsor

Michael Christie winner of the Hygain small Hack riding Andrew & Caroline Reid’s Flirting

Simone Pearce received the Joanne Orchard Memorial Trophy

Francesca Christie ring Stephen Merry’s L.A. in the final of the  Hygain Open Large Hack

Raleigh Picture Perfect & Sarah Fraser

©2006