WA Riders Over East The last couple of months have seen a number of Western Australian show horse and rider combinations travel east, and several prestigious events being attended. Louise Fraser reports: “Alison Laycock and myself had a fantastic trip across to the Grand National Championships in Sydney this year. Impello had qualified for the Open Show Hunter Hack 15 - 16hh and the Child’s Show Hunter over 15hh. He was also being used for two rider Show Horse it is a testament to her skills that he went so beautifully for her. Ron’s Open Show Hunter class was Friday and it was a huge class of 34 beautiful show hunters. To qualify for the Grand Nationals you have to be either a winner or runner up at Horse Of The Year, the Royal or one or two other qualifying events in each state of Australia, so the horses are all champions in their own right. In the open classes the horses are first judged in heats of 10 or 12 on the ring, then each horse does an individual workout (2 minutes long). The English judge then chooses the top 10 and rides each of the horses. They are then all stripped and trotted up (like a led class). Ron went beautifully for me and gave the judge a lovely ride as well, and was called forward as the Runner Up Show Hunter Hack to the beautiful mare Diamonds (also a WA horse!) We then stayed on for the Sydney Royal Show which was also a fantastic experience. Impello, ridden beautifully by my sister Linda Above: Elizabeth Laycock and Impello. Lorelle Mercer Photo. Right: Chris Lambert on Bevanlee Folklore with Sophie Veccia and Lancefield Park Rajah. (Photo taken at the Australian Arabian Championships by S. Veccia). Below: Emilee Indrizzi and Owendale Wizard of Oz. Angie Rickard Photo. Anna Johnson and Bramley Cartell, owned by Cheryl Pateman. Photo courtesy Anna Johnson. classes so we felt it was well worth making the trip with Impello and Prowl across to Sydney ourselves. The horses travelled really well and we have definitely ticked that road trip off our bucket list! Impello won the Open Show Hunter Hack 15 - 16hh at the Grand Nationals with me in Louise Fraser and Impello. Lorelle Mercer Photo. 2011 and Elizabeth Laycock had qualified him (aka Ron) for the Childs Show Hunter class by winning the qualifying event at the Gosnells Masters in 2012, so of course I asked her to ride him in Sydney. The Childs Show Hunter was the first class on Thursday and Liz and Impello were eventually called forward as the winners. Liz had a total of about 30 minutes practice on Ron before going into her class so WA SHOW SCENE June/July 2013 - Page 14 Brenzi placed 2nd in the prestigious Ida Buring Turnout Class as well as placing in the Child’s Show Hunter Hack with Liz on board again.” Shannara Beresi and GB William owned by Caroline Mcleod attended the Rug Rack National Pony Show winning the Show Hunter Hack 16-16.2hh, Show Hunter Hack Medium/Heavy Weight and Champion Large Show Hunter Hack. At the Gallery Equine Grand National Australasian Championships they were were finalists in the Top 10 Large Show Hunter hack and Top 10 Rider 17yrs and under 21years. These results were followed by 3rd in the Show Hunter hack 16-16.2hh and 3rd in the Rider 18-24years classes at Sydney Royal Easter Show: Bramley Cartell, owned by Cheryl Pateman and ridden by Anna Johnson attended the Gallery Equine Grand National Australasian Championships and were finalists in the Top 10 Small Show Hunter Hack and Top 10 Rider 21yrs-30yrs. At Sydney Royal Show they topped this off by winning the Show Hunter Hack 15-15.2hh. Emilee Indrizzi and Owendale William of Oz were the winners of the Child’s Show Hunter