2013 REPORT AND PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS

2013 marked the 21st Grand National held by The Show Horse Council of Australasia, and what an amazing growth this event has seen during that time. The popularity of this event is due in no small way to its unique format. This year three UK Judges presided over four days of competition-Ms Loraine Homer, Ms Shelly Perham and Mr Leon King alternated between 28 classes, where each competitor had the opportunity to present their horse in an individual work out, the Judge then assessing the horse or rider under saddle. In the horse classes the Judge then took control of the reins and riding selected horses before they were stripped for running out, their conformation then coming under the keen eye of the Judge, all aspects being taken into account to come up with the eventual winners. These UK Judges come to Australia with no pre conceived ideas of what to expect, they give every competitor 100% of their experience and honest opinion on the day. There can only be the winner & the Runner Up from within the Final Ten, the standard of entries was so high this year; everyone who comes to compete at the Grand National is already a winner in their own right and I congratulate all competitors for their enthusiasm and professionalism during the events. The plain patch of dirt in the arena was transformed into a Show arena that would stand up anywhere in the world. To Anna King, Steve Simpson and a few very talented helpers, on behalf of the GN committee I would like to thank you so very much for providing an amazing backdrop that set the scene for our event. Thursday saw the introductions of Childrens Day, these classes were well supported by members, we had many very thrilled young riders; I was even sent a photo of one young rider who had fallen asleep under her purple rug in bed that night. Leon King judged the Shetland class commenting that it was the nicest class he had ever judged. Sincere thanks goes to the new sponsors Glendon Brae Stud, Ellcon Constructions, Langtree Stud and Temporary Fence Hire who supported this idea of encouraging our riders of the future, I hope these classes continue to grow in coming years.

The line-up of all the happy Winners on Childrens Day

The next three days of competition saw some wonderful wins and memorable moments, my personal highlight was the Gary Collier Memorial Trophy ride off between Robbie Soster & Malcolm MacRae, these two riders really put on a show for the Saturday night crowd, bringing them to their feet, even the Judge got in on the act with two times changes and her own fancy foot work; Robbie Soster being awarded this very special Trophy. Copy this Youtube Link to see the Ride Off http://youtu.be/HAhSO6tmM1M Gallery Equine was our major sponsor for the third year, a huge thank you Donna & Gary Taff for their support. This year we saw many new sponsors come on board, including all the Interstate Hack Associations. We are lucky enough to have very loyal sponsors who also support us year after year, without the generosity of these businesses, individuals and associations we could not offer our members the wonderful prizes and the continued growth of that the Grand National experience.

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of GN

Kiara McEvoy-Winner of The Reed Thoroughbred Stud GN Rider 12yrs & U.15Yrs Being presented with The Molly Lord Memorial Trophy from The Lord Family

The next group of people I want to acknowledge is the most vital to the success of the weekend, months before the event the committee of only a few put together an outline for the biggest show on our calendar of the year. But on the day so many members and non-members come together giving of their time and experience to make the Grand National run smoothly for the enjoyment of competitors & the many spectators in the stands. Working all day, every day was Ringmaster- Bruce Flood, Measuring & Drug Testing - Helen Kirton, Treasurer - Sandra James, Assistant Ring Master- John Paget, Timing - Amanda Peters, Steward- Nicola Donoghue, Assistant to Announcer- Lori Howell, Music- Suz Worsley-Deacon with Announcer Chris King providing his professional services. Special thanks to Toni Nettle for putting together all our printing needs with such flair, and to Judy Chapman & Bruce Flood for carrying out hosting & ferrying duties over the period. The Competitors BBQ, organised by Leisure Coast Hack Association & helpers, was a great social get together with over 200 people attending on Thursday evening. Interstate members Greg Trembath SA, Denise Fenwick SA, Jill SA, Donna Button WA and Sally George QLD all fitted in beautifully assisting where ever needed, thank you for all being so easy to work with. Our own NSW members Wendy Manchester, Alison Doyle, Anne Randall, Joe Charnock, Ashley Roberts, Karen Townsend & Roseanne Bowerman, all knowing their assigned areas, helps make my job a lot easier. We were also lucky enough to have James Bell from Armidale (who isn't even a member) steward for three days. Finally my thanks go to my Mum - Roma Stonestreet, who is the secretary's secretary every day & night for many months, her experience and guidance is invaluable to me. It is the professionalism and dedication of all these helpers that combine to make the Grand National such an enjoyable event for me to be part of and be proud to present.

Malcolm MacCrae Winner of the Horse Deals GN Rider 30yrs & Over

Willowcroft Coco Chanel Winner of CBC Constructions GN Galloway over 14h n/e 14.2hh

EBL Juliett Emma Adams Winner Showjackets Australia GN Show Hunter over 16hh with Sponsor Judy Chapman

It is appropriate that the Winners of the 2012 SHC Volunteer Award were announced at this Event. This is calculated by points awarded for each day a volunteer has assisted over the three major SHC Events conducted by the Council in the year. This year there was a three way tie for First Place, each of these helpers giving up 8 days to help run these important Shows; thanks is extended to Helen Kirton, Amanda Peters & Nicola Donoghue for their enormous contribution. Tribute is also paid to our many other volunteers for their invaluable service toward the running of these major Events. Our committee will meet in April to start work on the 2014 Show, always trying to improve our efforts in presenting the Grand National to Show Horse Council members an event that is widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of Show Horse Events in Australia. I hope you enjoyed the 2013 Gallery Equine Grand National Championships, the SHC looks forward to seeing you all again next year. Leonie Roberts. SHC Show Secretary

PRESIDENTS GN REPORT This year we celebrated the running of the 21st Grand National Championships. To witness the growth of this event from humble beginnings (when the show was held over one day) to a four day show with over 400 horses and riders competing for Grand National Titles is indeed a strong indication of the popularity of the event. We are extremely lucky to have many generous sponsors many of them have been with us since the shows inception. We are most grateful for their support and commitment, please support them wherever you can. The introduction of childrens classes for the first time this year proved very popular and Im sure that numbers in these events will grow in the future. As usual we had three very competent judges from the UK in Leon King, Loraine Homer and Shelley Perham. All three are very successful competitors in the UK and proved to be wonderful judges and riders. It is a mammoth operation to organise and stage an event of the calibre of the Grand National. We have set an extremely high standard to keep up to and one which competitors and spectators have come to expect. Thank you to all our helpers who come back year after year to assist, without their help the show would not go ahead. Please be mindful that all of our Marshalls, Stewards and helpers are volunteers please treat them well and with courtesy as after all they are there to help you and provide you with an event to compete at. Thank you to Leonie Roberts, our wonderful Show Secretary who works tirelessly for the event and to Anna King who each year does a superb job on the arena decorations. And thank you to competitors and members for supporting the event and travelling from far and wide without you there would be no event. Happy and successful showing in 2013 and hopefully we will see you at the 2014 Grand National Championships. Bruce Flood
Photos courtesy of SWD Images & Lorelle Mercer Photography, Page 4 snaps by Sandra James

Letter from Major Sponsor Gallery Equine Dear Leonie What can I say but. .... Well done, Congratulations again to Bruce, yourself and the committee and all the behind scene helpers on a yet another fantastic Grand Nationals. Your hard work and long hours has again paid off. There are too many good things to mention so I will just touch on a few The organisation brilliant, Arena design perfect, atmosphere was great,the finals nite food and daily nibbles was very nice , and the ribbons ,sashes ,Garlands and rugs absolutely Divine - happy faces everywhere we looked. The attention to detail by Bruce and yourself Leonie is always amazing and the smiling faces every morning despite your huge workload and pressure. It was a tad of a shame to have a few classes run over time but I am confident that you have that under control already going forward. This year's inclusion of the child's classes was so greatly appreciated by many and lovely to see the look on their tiny faces - win or place just thrilled to be there! The Smartest on Parade awards -brilliant idea.The Show is really a tribute to the talent and dedication of all the Equestrians in this country and has become the Pinnacle of the Equestrian calendar. We are so very proud to be the Major Sponsor of such a wonderful event and look forward to a long relationship with the Gallery Equine Grand Nationals Kind regards and thanks Donna and Gary Taff Gallery Equine
160 happy diners were catered for in the upmarket setting with ringside view of the Saturday evening events.

The Arena at S.I.E.C. ready for Competition

GN Merchandise Stand