2010 SPPHAWA Horse of the Year Show

24th October 2010 - Judge: Wendy MacDonald (VIC)

 Toyboy - Champion Reserve Stallion/Colt

Lights Of Wembley - Reserve Champion Gelding

Angostura - Reserve Champion Mare/Filly

Devil's Choice -  Reserve Champion Led Partbred Male

Adina Park Phedora - Champion Mare/Filly

Rumble Hill Dipped In White - Supreme Led Partbred

Admiral's Christmas -  Champion Stallion/Colt

Devils Choice - Champion Ridden Partbred

Presidents Excuse - Champion Show Hunter

Lights Of Wembley (Catherine Macey) - Champion Rider; Reserve Champion Ridden Gelding & Reserve Champion Show Hunter

Adina Park Phedora & Kristie Morrone - Supreme Ridden Exhibit; Champion Show Horse & Ultimate Standardbred

Colonial Salute (Jess O'Meagher) - Reserve Champion Rider; Champion Ridden Gelding; Reserve Champion Show Hack

 Adina Park Darcy Woods - Supreme Led Exhibit & Champion Best Presented Exhibit

USA Legacy - Reserve Champion Ridden Mare

Adina Park Phedora & Kristie Morrone - Supreme Ridden Exhibit; Champion Show Horse & Ultimate Standardbred

Twenty three entries were received for judging at the 2010 Horse Of The Year Show in beautiful conditions at the Wallangara Horse and Pony club grounds.

The Best Presented events were the first classes contested with the winners Rumble Hill Dipped In White (P/Bred) Adina Park Phedora (Mare) Adina Park Darcy Woods (Gelding) and Toyboy (Stallion) contesting for Champion and Reserve. The Champion was awarded to the immaculate Adina Park Darcy Woods over the equally striking Adina Park Phedora for Reserve.

The two year old Partbred colt Rumble Hill Dipped In White executed a beautiful workout to be awarded Champion P/Bred Male and Supreme Exhibit over Carly Hockridge’s Devils Choice for Reserve.
The gelding and mares classes were very well patronized with the Champion and Reserves in each section coming from the over 15.1 height classes. Adina Park Phedora was victorious in a close decision over Angostura in the mare class and Adina Park Darcy Woods saluting in the gelding class over Lights Of Wembley.
Veteran and partially retired stallion Admiral’s Christmas made a cameo appearance to be awarded Champion stallion to make it a real family affair in the Supreme ring. Father, son and daughter were judged on side profiles with the judge using an elimination process to select her winner. The gelding and the mare were left standing with the judge stating that most would not consider a gelding “as a breeding prospect” but she could not go past the impressionable stature the gelding displayed and today he would be her selection for supreme. Adina Park Darcy Woods was called forward to be presented the 2010 Horse Of The Year Led Exhibit.

The ridden classes were evenly contested with the top echelon horses having the edge on their rivals throughout the classes. Adina Park Phedora and Colonial Salute worked beautifully throughout their respective classes with the mare crowned Grand Champion HOTY Ridden along with Champion Show Hack. Colonial Salute was duly awarded R/up Ridden Exhibit and Reserve Champion Show Hack and also accompanied his rider with a Reserve Champion Rider award.
The Show Hunter classes always provide interesting entertainment with some exhibits enjoying the in hand gallops often asked for. Presidents Excuse and his mount Erin Parker provided a well executed and forward workout and were rewarded with the Champion Show Hunter. Catherine Macey and Lights Of Wembley capped off a very successful day with a Reserve Champion Show Hunter to accompany her Champion Rider and Reserve Champion Ridden Gelding award earlier on in the program. Lights of Wembley also was sashed Reserve Champion Led Gelding and Champion Handler in the morning classes.
The Ultimate Standardbred is judged on a set ridden workout with the horses then stripped down and judged on confirmation and a Led workout. The well decorated mare Adina Park Phedora rounded off a splendid day for the Adina Park team when she posted outstanding scores in both sections to record a resounding win. The stunning gelding Colonial Salute was awarded R/Up Ultimate.

The judge kindly passed on the following comments:

“Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for allowing me to have the opportunity to judge at your show. It was a friendly and very well organized run event.
I was astounded by not only the quality but also the depth in the morning classes. The Partbred classes even though only having two competitors was still very enjoyable to judge with my prediction that the winner will have a very bright future under saddle.

The Best Presented Classes were incredible with the Champion and Reserve both being clear standouts. Remember in these classes every fine detail must be attended to. Quite a few horses had dirty bits and bridles that did not fit perfectly. My three Champions in the Led classes were all truly amazing animals. It was quite amazing that when judging the Champion Mare I was convinced that there wouldn’t be anything better on the day but to my astonishment along came the Champion Gelding who was equally as impressive. Not to be outdone my Champion Stallion who I had not seen tucked away entered the ring for judging. I was absolutely gob smacked by his whole presence and boy could he move! I must say this was going to be one of the most impressive supreme line-ups I have ever had to judge regardless of any breed. Whilst judging the three it became evident to me that the stallion was a little soft in condition compared to the well toned body of his younger counterparts. I know most judges sometimes are hesitant in considering geldings as breeding prospects but the structure of the gelding had me totally mesmerized. This horse’s stature is equal to any Anglo I frequently judge. All three of my Champions I would happily put up in any Open Breed ring.

The ridden classes had a few really well schooled and ridden horses. I did unfortunately witness a few riders that were not in total harmony with their horses. The winner of the Grand Champion Ridden was a very lovely going mare with lovely even paces and beautiful transitions. The rider/horse combination looked calm and enjoying the moment. The R/Up, a gelding was also a lovely going horse but sometimes looked a little edgy compared to the winner. Both horses looked a picture under saddle and are a credit to their riders and your breed.

Once again I wish to thank the committee for a most enjoyable time in Perth and your hospitality on Sunday night was wonderful."

All photos courtesy of Perfect Pony Photographics