Show Horse Nationals Wrap-Up

Letter from Show Horse Nationals WA Team Manager - Peta Gallagher

"A huge congratulations to all riders and supporters at the EA National Show Horse Championships! It was an absolute honor to attend as the Team Manager for the WA Team. This year our entire team not only performed very strongly in the competition flying the flag for WA, but they also came together with a team spirit as never before.

Ramsay's Horse Transport kindly provided us with a marquee, a barbeque, and everything we required to make our time at Werribee an awesome experience. Team members made use of the marquee whilst enjoying barbeque lunches and breakfasts provided with funds from our raffle. Much fun and mayhem was had in the evenings, and it was a comfortable place to rest and interact with other team members during the day! Thank you Paul and Ramsay's for your support. You have been there for our WA Team for many years and we hope for many years to come!

Our results over the two days of competition are no less than spectacular when you consider how small our WA Show Horse community is compared to the likes of states on the east coast.

Excitement was building from the first class on the Friday with young Taylor Williams and her lovely 'Yartarla Park Mannequin' led by Fiona Graetz gaining the Runner up award in the Lead Rein Pony National Championships. Not to be content with that, Caprice Albonetti and the delightful 'Wyann Cock Robin' led by Mel Versteegan nailed 2nd Runner up for EWA in the same class.

We went on over the show to receive two first Runner Up sashes. The first one went to Large Show Pony 'Gordon Park Time Piece' Anna Duffy and Peta Lassey, the other to rider under 12years Chloe Versteegan, ' Bevanlee Greetings' was unlucky to have a small bird fly out at him at the beginning of his workout which caused him to have a prop, however he and Jessica Marsh went on to produce a superb workout and finished with 2nd Runner up! Our ultimate success was the deserved win of the National Title for Richard Rice and his beautiful 'Burnbrae Park Talisman'. Every member of our team was a worthy competitor, and all our lovely horses performed beautifully and we are very proud of them.

To top off a wonderful few days, the team was awarded the National Championship's Team Award which is awarded for the team demonstrating the best team spirit, sportsmanship and pride in their team - which we certainly did!

I wish to thank all the riders and their connections for making my job so enjoyable. Marlene Kinder for amazing efforts with the stable decorations, Jan McQueen for her help with the stable banners, Fiona and Oscar Graetz for organizing our fantastic uniforms, and Oscar and Neryl Simmons help with fundraising. Thanks also to everyone that got involved before and at the show putting up decorations, cooking on the barbeque, ordering items, donating goods etc. You know who you are and deserve a big pat on the back! Thanks also to my EWA Show Horse Committee for their support!

Once again, thankyou all and congratulations!"

Richard Rice & Burnbrae Park Talisman (2013)