Riders of all ages converged on the Armidale Showground to participate in the Armidale Riding Club’s annual Open Hack Show over the weekend of January 19 and 20.
The show began at 2pm on Saturday and ran right through Sunday and included an all-breed led program and working show hunters competition on the Saturday, and a full ridden program on Sunday. The working show hunter classes – where horses must jump a course as well as do a more traditional ‘workout’ for the judge, was a new addition to the program this year.
Both local and visiting riders were featured amongst the winners on the day. A number of expert judges were in attendance, from across the region, to judge the various classes over the weekend.
Supreme Champion Led Exhibit was awarded to Kimberley Taylor-Campbell’s Illusion.
Champions awarded were: Champion Small Galloway Hack – Carleen McPhie’s Curio. Champion Large Galloway Hack – Sophie Wood’s Baringa Bravedance. Champion girl riders were Giorgia Power on Koorana Desert Chim (under 13) and Lucy Hurbert on Black Pepper (under 17). Champion small pony hack was Emma Selby on Tucker. Champion lady rider was Kimberly Taylor-Campbell on My Illusion. Champion Gentleman rider was Archie Fletcher on Lil Mel. Champion small hack was Showna Campbell’s Showbell Scandalous. Champion large hack was won by Many Sozou’s Flowervale Ferro Eve. Champion small show hunter pony was won by Georgia Power and Koorana Desert Chimes. Champion large show hunter pony was Michelle Power on Namoi Valley Christoph. Champion small show hunter galloway was Lucy Herbert on Freddo. Champion large show hunter galloway was Kate Hamm on Yoorana Apachie Kid. Champion small show hunter hack was won by Amy Want on Intermediate. Champion large show hunter was Wendy Fahey on Oak Glen Chocolate.
Sponsors for the event were: Gosh Hairdressing, Burton’s Saddlery Armidale, Impact Browbands, Regs Rug Repairs, Dr Show Horse Products, Horseland Armidale, Grazag Produce, McDonald’s Armidale, and Furney’s Stockfeeds Tamworth. Many volunteers also helped out on the day.
The Armidale Hack Show is held annually in Armidale in late January as part of a yearly calendar of training days and competitions throughout the year. Visit www.armidalerc.equestrian.org.au for further details.
