Ava Halloran aboard ‘Good Time’ after claiming reserve champion senior rider 18-25 years at this year’s EA Show Horse & Rider Championships. Ava and ‘Santa’ as he is affectionately known have fast become a competitive combination in the show ring as well as the dressage scene, taking out a number of accolades at the National Youth Dressage Championships earlier in the year.

Tia Rose McKenzie had an incredible show with Mirinda Jackpot, claiming the National Champion Childs Show Hunter Galloway, 'Jack' was also third on count back in the Small Open Show Hunter Galloway. Tia also rode the McKenzie family's 'Lady Ashberry' to win the National Champion Childs Show Hunter Hack.

Rhys Stones stepping in for wife Jess certainly put on a show and completed his Nationals win saluting the crowd in true show jumping style! Verdict by Direction started his career as a very successful young jumping horse before being purchased by Mel Schenk and it would be an understatement to say he has converted over to being a show horse nicely as he is now the National Champion Small Hunter Hack & current EA and SHC HOTY champion.

Successful SA breeders Charlie and Andrew Hunt of 'Argyle stud' certainly have had great success and a close bond with both 'Roxleigh Frederica' and her owner Julie Payne pictured after their win of the very strong Large Hunter Hack National championship. 'Ava' as she is known at home was runner up last year to Melissa Harding and her multi national champion 'Dakoda' going one better this year doing so wearing her 'DQ saddlery' bridle who was worn by the Hunts legendary hunter hack 'Gryffindor' who won the same class at the Nationals in 2004.

Shae Latimer’s beautiful new mare ‘Antoinette CSH’ are continuing to develop their partnership nicely competing at the 2020/21 EA Nationals Large Show Hunter hack just a short time after winning the Barastoc HOTY Large Show Hunter Hack 2022 championship, also held at Werribee National Equestrian two weeks prior.

Talented rider Kate Kyros and the Kyros family have had a wonderful 7 year partnership with Chris & Vicky Lawrie’s mare ‘Kolbeach Holly’s Diamond’ who is a multi EA National and Royal Show Champion - finishing her career on top with yet another national title. Kate rode beautifully to also be the runner up national champion rider in the huge rider 15-17 years class.

Tyler Kelly & his mum Michelle extended a massive thank you to Courtney Larard and Matthew Birch for not only the loan of their magnificent horse but for everything they did to help Tyler get into the ring and achieve his dream of winning his rider class at EA Nationals.

Tyler was honoured the be named National Champion Rider in the 15-17 years age group at the 2020/2021 EA Australasian Show Horse & Rider Championships riding 'F1 Sweetest Taboo'. As always Tyler was relaxed as ever after his big win & happy to give me his tips for that day's Group 1 races in Sydney, thanks mate!

The hot new girl on the block 'Royal Opera' (Kolbeach Holly’s Gold x Amazing Grace) who was bred by Jenny Evans & ridden to perfection by Brynie Lee was the

Reserve Champion Galloway at this year's EA Nationals.

This beautiful mare is owned by Victorias 'Whitmere Stud's Greg Gerry & Darren Telford who have had an incredibly successful 2022 season with this mare winning Barastoc and SHC HOTY Champion, they also took the double at Canberra Royal of Novice and Open Galloway.

Madeleine Gaden from country Dunedoo, NSW made the big trip to Werribee to represent her state riding her galloway 'Xtra Riches of Sefton' and did NSW proud as the winners of the National Champion Junior Rider Under 12 Years. This was one of the largest classes of the weekend and certainly one of the strongest, our sport is in safe hands with such terrific junior riders coming up through the ranks that's for certain.

'Revelwood Stedfast' by the beautiful 'Stedinger' ridden and owned by Georgia Greeenwell showed just how much nationals meant to her with happy tears did Team Vic proud pictured on their way to winning Reserve Champion Large Show Hunter Hack at the Equestrian Australia Show horse and rider nationals 2020/2021. Georgia and her elegant big moving hunter gelding were also reserve champions at the Vic State titles 'Barastoc' two weeks prior.

Representing Team NSW, Jacinda Smith and her 'Merivale Park Remembrance' ( Syon Serenade IMP / Myscal Encore ) followed on from their successful run of shows and recent reserve champion pony at Canberra Royal to also be sashed Runner Up Medium Pony at the EA Nationals

Victoria’s Bec Gerbers pure delight was evident pictured on her 'Loriot Breaking Dawn' discovering they had taken out the open large hunter pony 13h ne 14h.

Stephanie Barrington and (Royal Highness) who raced as 'Palace Lyric' were both looking very pleased with themselves taking out the win in the Racing Victoria OTT Fashions in the Field at the EGO Sunsense EA Nationals. The best ridden thoroughbred championship was the lovely partnership of Natalie Mckay and her quality large hack gelding 'St Andrews'.

'Royalwood West End' pictured trotting out on his lap of honour after taking out the National championship in the Small Hack Section. This blue blooded gelding is by 'Royalwood Boy Soprano' x 'SunSmart' (TB)

Joanne was very emotional during her speech after her win and paid tribute to her prolific stallion and all those involved in her incredible breeding journey, a legacy in the show ring I'm certain will be unsurpassed anytime soon.

Coming off the back of their Canberra Royal success was Rhiannon Hart riding at her first Nationals on board the highly successful Queensland Childs Small Hunter Hack 'Extatic GHP" to win the National Champion Childs Small Hunter Hack. 'Eli's partner in crime Rhys Stanley took back the reins for the open and worked foot perfectly to also add the Reserve Champion Small Hunter hack to his ever growing list of achievements after leaving showjumping.