Universal Stables headed to the New England region of Northern NSW to Australia’s Country Music Capital Tamworth to attend the NSW Country Show Horse Championships. Held at the state of the art facility The Australian Equine and Livestock Centre (AELEC) Over the weekend 8th - 10th November.

With a mixed team from ponies to large hacks it was a final opportunity to earn a golden ticket for the 2020 SHC Grand Nationals.

First morning of competition saw Tany Banks stunning Small Galloway ‘Royalwood Touch Of Lyric’. (Royalwood Boy Soprano/Rathowen Touchwood) at just 4 years old this striking
Small Galloway has certainly hit the show scene running, at only his 6th show picking up Champion Newcomer Galloway with Adam in the saddle and going on to earn a golden ticket with Runner Up Small Open Galloway out of a large field.

The Friday afternoon rolled into the Children’s qualifying classes. With blustery hot conditions everyone was challenged just to keep their hat on. But the conditions didn’t phase Mel Waller’s Beautiful new boy Rueben Star. With Grace Berry as the jockey they performed perfectly to impress the judge and earn the Champion Child’s Hunter Hack. Grace also rode the Berry’s new addition to the team ‘Rosedon Royalist’ to finish in the top 4 in a very strong class for the Child’s Galloway. ‘Rosedon Royalist’ also achieved a top 10 in the Small Open Galloway.

What a relief to move indoors in the early evening out of the blustery elements. Mel took up the reins on her Rueben Star and worked a treat For Runner Up Adult Rider 40 years and over.

Saturday was an indoor day with all the Opens. Rhys guided Universals own Langtree Tatiana (Langtree Composer/Tatiana)
through her paces in the Large Open Galloway. Relatively new to the show circuit, Tatiana is a striking Chestnut Mare capturing the eye when in the ring. And we were all delighted with Champion Large Open Galloway.

Rhys also rode his own Langtree Gift (Fairley Temptation/Oakdown Georgina) in the big class of 40 large ponies to finish in the top 3.

The Large Hack Championship was a competitive class with a field of 20 and Universal’s & Michelle & Graeme Harpleys ‘United’ is a super moving bay Thoroughbred by Jetspur. Having had a successful racing career and winning over $126,000, United has found his new career in the showring and certainly impressed the judges at his first grand National qualifier earning a golden Ticket and the Champion Large Hack title.

Sunday was Hunter day. The small Hunter Galloway had a super turn up and Angela Unsworths ‘Radford Lodge Rising Phoenix’ finished in the top 3. Adam rode Samantha Watts former Show Jumper ‘Extatic GHP’ for Champion in the Small Hunter Hack. Phil rode the handsome large Hunter ‘Remi Laurie’s Star’ and performed a treat to finish In the top 4. To finish off with the final Golden Ticket Mel Riding her own Rueben Star impressing the judges and winning Champion Large Hunter Hack.

That’s a wrap and what a great weekend with super results at a great venue. With the mountains and the coast alike struggling with fires it was to be a Smokey trip home.

Photo Credits - Lorelle Mercer & Amy-Sue Alston

Location

AELEC, Tamworth