When I used to own Elle, I would write in hear after every show that I went to telling you how we did and other little stories. Because I don't own her anymore or another horse for that matter, it is obvious that I will no longer be updating this page, but I will keep it here because it makes for some interesting reading! 
The lastest results are at the bottom

This was a REALLY succesful day for the Wyena Horse and Pony Club cause SOOOOOOOOO many people turned up. The area for parking was literally full so they had to make more space everywhere else to park trailers. I didn't have many events here. Elle was really good, she was reasonably calm though when I lunged her she decided to become tense and fast. Though, when I got on, I walked her for a long time to calm her and she was really good. Mind you, it was REALLY hard riding with a vinyl saddle cover and tracky pants over your show jods! So slippery! Anyway, our first event was Led Hack 15h- 15.2h. Here we were called in first, did our workout and were placed first! That meant we were eligible for the championship event, so we went in that and took out Champion Led Hack. 
Next class was Ridden Hack 15h-15.2h,we were again called in first, did our workout and placed first again! That also meant we were eligible for the Ridden Championship event...well, we went in and managed a Champion Ridden Hack also! 
My Rider class was the last class ...this class was HUGE...more than 20 people. Anyway, I was called in 4th, but our workout totally lapsed when Elle decided to chuck a spastic at a fallen showjump, so we were placed 6th- I was still happy to be called in tho. All in all that was a really good first show of the show season! 

Results: 
Led Hack 15h-15.2h: 1st 
Champion Led Hack 
Ridden Hack 15h-15.2h: 1st 
Champion Ridden Hack 
Rider, 14-16 years: 6th

Now if you're looking for the best of the best in the Victorian Show seen, then you go to this show. HEAPS of the people here were the big shots. People into hacking here will know who I'm talking about when I say Dale Plumb etc. and the Dresden Park horses. Caroline Wagner and Shelley Penny were there also. HEAPS more that I won't mention were also there. 
Anyway, it was hard work in these classes cause the standard was SO high. Elle also had a shoe loose because of the PATHETIC farrier that did Elle more than 5 times and something went wrong every time . This was the first show that I decided to put Elle in the Galloway 14.2-15h section because she suits this class more with her size. Anyway, our first class was Intermediate Galloway 14.2h-15h and Elle was REALLY strong. Even though she was like this, we were called in first and we did the most awful workout, but we still managed to place 1st. Next event was Open Galloway 14.2h-15h and we were called in 4th. We did our workout nicely but it was hard competition. The judge told me that she REALLY like Elle, saying she was an attractive horse etc. but she was very tense which didn't allow her to show off her movement to the best potential. So we placed 4th. In other rings, we had the same event twice, and both times we placed 3rd. 

Results: 
Intermediate Galloway: 1st 
Open Galloway 14.2h-15h: 4th 
Open Galloway 14.2h-15h: 3rd 
Open Galloway 14.2h- 15h: 3rd

This was truly one our most successful shows so far (so far is underlined cause I hope we can achieve an  even better result someday!). HEAPS of people turned up and the standard was also REALLY high. I thought it would turn out disaster- you'll find out why in a sec. Ok, well, we arrived there at about 6.30am and took Elle off the trailer. We were about the 4th people there so we managed to get a good shady, close to the entrance parking spot. Even though it looked as if we were going to get bucketed on ...shade was important lol. Anyway, as soon as we got there I wanted to warm her up by lunging her. She was going beautifully and I even saw a few envious glances being shot towards Elle. She truly was looking the best EVER. Anyway, lunging went fine so I decided to get on myself. Before I tell you this, let me tell you that there was a trotting track around the oval where pacers/trotters train. Just as I began to ride (let me also tell you Elle HATES trotters or anything with a buggy behind it) a trotter appeared and began to train. Elle went spastic. I don't think she is scared of them but always wants to look at them and gets very excited, anyway. I thought we were doomed cause she'd be stupid for the rest of the day, but about 20 minutes later, those trotters disappeared and Elle began to behave, infact she was REALLY lazy (!) My first event was Led Galloway Mare 14.2h-15h even tho our run up wasn't good, we were placed first- then got Champion Led Galloway! Next event was the Supreme Led Exhibit event where only horses who got a champion were elegible. Unfortunetly we didn't get that, a gorgeous little pony got it. ANywayze, next event was Ridden Galloway Mare 14.2h-15h and we received first. There were some real stunners in the ridden galloway geldings and one of them took out the Champion Ridden Galloway title, but we scored the Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway title! Next event in a different ring was again Ridden Galloway Mare 14.2h-15h at this stage a pony and buggy appeared on the other oval and Elle was strong and going horribly. But we still scored a 1st. The judge said Elle was of the traditional type of galloways- obviously liked by her. Again, we scored a Reserve Champion with a DISGUSTING workout..lol 
Next in another ring was Open Galloway 14.2h-15h at the beginning of this event on the circle, Elle was a nutcase, and we were called in last (8th) but, our workout somehow earned alot and Elle showed the most MAGNIFICENT lengthened trot...and the judge told us to move into 1st place! wow! Believe it or not, this judge was the same judge at the Wyena H +PC show and also gave me Champion Hack last time...anywayze, I received Champion Ridden Galloway in this ring against some real stunners. Unfortunetley in the Supreme Champion Ridden Exhibit event I didn't get it, but I didn't care. This was out best show and Elle behaved so WELL! 

Results: 
Led Galloway Mare 14.2h-15h: 1st 
Champion Led Galloway 
Ridden Galloway Mare 14.2-15h: 1st 
Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway 
Ridden Galloway Mare 14.2-15h: 1st 
Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway 
Open Galloway 14.2h-15h: 1st 
Champion Ridden Galloway

This was a great show, but it was really hot ...33 degress {celsius}. It doesn't sound too hot when you're walking around in a bikini, but when you're riding with a jacket, waistcoat, long sleeve shirt, etc it is REALLY hot. The competition was really tough in my class. One of the judges from the last show and the Wyena Pony club show was competing against me on a stunning galloway so it was tough. My first event was Led Open Galloway 14.2h-15h, we were called in 2nd, but during our run out, Elle stumbled, and jumped around, my head banged into her neck and my huntcap went flying! *embarrasing* So we were put down to 3rd. The judge said she did take the stumble into account but I'm sure she did. Next event was my ridden galloway, we were called in 3rd, but then moved to 2nd. (Behind my ex-judge ofcourse) While we were waiting during other people's workouts, he said to me "I finally figured out who you were...I've judged you before haven't I?" and then we started talking and stuff. The judge said that she didn't place me first because Elle was overbent but she said Elle was lovely. My ex-judge received Champion, so I went into the running for Reserve Champion and I got it! The same exactly happened in the next ring, except for the stumble ofcourse.For my rider class, I was called in 2nd, but went down to 3rd because the girl called in 3rd did an absolutely BRILLIANT workout and moved to 2nd. The last judge was really awful. There were only 2 horses in the class. I was almost certain I'd win em both and take out Champion in both, but then the judge goes and calls in the horse that never even was called in by other judges! It meant I got second, but still, I don't know what was so wrong 8( 
Anyway, that horse got Champion led *!* which meant I went in for the running for Reserve, when I didn't the crowd was in awe, cause they thought I'd at least get that. A few people came up to me after saying I should've got it 8( Even the judge from the other ring came up to me at the end of the day saying I shouldve gotten first, then Champion! Anyway it was a great day and Elle didn't put a foot wrong! 

Results: 
Open Led Galloway 14.2h-15h: 3rd 
Open Ridden Galloway 14.2h-15h: 2nd 
Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway 
Open Led Galloway 14.2h-15h: 3rd 
Open Ridden Galloway 14.2h-15h: 2nd 
Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway 
Rider, 14yrs- 18yrs: 3rd 
Open Led Galloway 14.2h-15h: 2nd 
Open Ridden Galloway 14.2h-15h: 2nd

Ok, we did well this day. There were a few horses here from my last show that were tough competition. Like most shows heaps of people turned up. 
Elle behaved like an angel for the warm up and even though the flies were numerous,  she still kept her cool. My first event was Led Galloway 14.2-15h... we weren't called in any particular order, but Elle was placed second. The horse that came first to me was placed champion, so I went in for reserve. In the trot up, Elle cantered and chucked a mental. The judge told me to go again, so I did and this time, Elle -fed up, decided to take me for a drag, so the other horse got reserve and the judge told me it was really close, but the other horse  led better. 8( Oh well 
Next event was Ridden Galloway 14.2-15h. We were called in first and placed first (!). Then we went into the championship. We had to trot and canter around for AGES. Ya know, the normal extended and working trot and canter, anyway, a beautiful small young galloway got the champion. Elle probably worked better than the other horse, though the judge probably saw potential as it was young. Anyway, the horse that came second to it came in for reserve. The judge made me go on the circle again, so I was really tired, but Elle still worked beautifully. The judge asked for a canter to halt (!) which we did with a bit of a struggle, and then a rein back (which was fine) and then a canter to halt, which we actually did!!! I was proud. We came in for a Reserve Champion! Next event was best educated galloway ( I didn't even think we'd get called in) . we were called in second! The judge asked for a free workout, and so I did one. It was a bit messy. I asked Elle for a hand gallop, but she decided to put her head down and charge, so I had to bring her back ultra discretely! Anyway, we kept second place. 
Last event was Ladies Galloway. We went in and were called in first. Then the judgeasked for the people called in to place the reins in the outside hand and ride like that. Ithought Elle would charge off, but she kept her normal pace and even stayed on the bit!! Well, we came first! 
I was thrilled with Elle cause she was such an angel as usual! 

Results: 
Open Led Galloway 14.2h -15h: 2nd 
Open Ridden Galloway 14.2-15h: 1st 
Reserve Champion Ridden Galloway 
Best Educated Galloway 14h-15h: 2nd 
Ladies Galloway 14h-15h: 1st

Under the circumstances, I think we did really well. Only a day previously, Elle had a reasonably serious bout of colic due to heat stress. Thank God she's fine now. I had a decision to make only a day before to see if she'd be ok to take, and she seemed to be pretty much recovered, but still a bit subdued, so we decided to go. 

It took us two hours to get there through some stunning countryside. 
When we arrived there, my instructor (who had come with other people) had saved us a space. We were running late, but the events still hadn't started. I lunged Elle, she was really lazy, but that's better than being frisky. Then I rode her, and she was really good, but still pretty lazy. I guess she was flat as she was still recovering from her colic and hadn't eaten too much. 
Anyway, my first event was Open Galloway 14.2-15h. The class was pretty BIG (about 20) with heaps of tough competition. Shelley Penny's In Town Tonight was in the class (he won Champion Galloway at Melbourne Royal Show, Barastoc Galloway of the year 1999 etc. etc.) Well, we didn't get called in but that was ok. Obviously the judge didn't partiuclarly fancy Elle as we didn't get called in for the Ladies Galloway either. In the next ring, the same horse's were competiting. We had another Open Galloway 14.2-15h class and we were called in second!! We did our workout but the horse called in third did a great workout and came into second and we moved into third. I was just thrilled to get called in! In the same ring, we did Ladies Galloway and we came second! 
That's all I went in but I was thrilled with how we did considering Elle wasn't well. 

Results: 
Open Ridden Galloway 14.2-15h: 3rd 
Ladies Galloway 14-15h: 2nd

I was feeling really confident about this show. It was another HUGE show and I was competing up against some amazing horses. There were quite a few horses here from the last show too. There were rides and a ferris wheel so it was kinda scary for the horses but Elle went on as if they weren't there. Our warm up went well etc. But on our first class, she decided to get strong. We were called in first for our first class Intermediate Galloway 14.2-15h. We did our workout but Elle didn't lengthen trot but cantered. We moved into second place but that was ok. Next class was our Open Galloway 14.2-15h. We were called in fourth out of HEAPS of horses. For our workout Elle was still a bit strong but managed to show some of our lengthened stride. We were moved up into third place. 
In the other ring, we weren't called in at all for the open class but that was also ok. Next was our led events. First was Intermediate Led Mare/Filly over 14h. We came second. Next was the Open Led Mare/Filly 14.2-15h.We also came second. 
Last but not least (after a 4 hour wait!!) was our last event in the last ring another Open Class. It was 6o'clock and Elle was ready to go to sleep but we went in. I think Elle lacked a bit of her presenc and just plodded along. We were called in second out of a class of 7. We did our workout which went well but stayed in second place. The horse that came first to me went Champion and we went in for Reserve. I think we could've gotten it if Elle was a bit more awake, but I didn't care. It was a great day and Elle pretty much didn't put a foot wrong. 
 

Results: 
Intermediate Galloway 14.2-15h: 2nd 
Open Galloway 14.2-15h: 3rd 
Intermediate Led Mare/Filly over 14h: 2nd 
Open Led Mare/Filly 14.2-15h: 2nd 
Open Galloway 14.2-15h: 2nd
 
 
 

*NOTE*: Our aim this show season is to qualify for the major events: Melbourne Royal Show (3 Ag. Show wins), Barastoc HOTY (Ag. Show Champion) etc.etc. 

My instructor took us to this show. Well, I got Elle ready and we were picked up with the trailer to take to his friend's house where the truck was. We took it at a crawling pace and Elle was fine. I'd never trucked her before so it was good to see that she was absolutely fine. It took us about 40min to get to the showgrounds and they were crawling with hundreds of cars/trucks etc. On the truck was Paul's horse and some of his other student's horses etc.etc. Elle was a bit tense when we got there, but I walked her around and let her settle. She was fine and I lunged her. I hopped on and warmed her up for a while. I was a bit apprehensive because there were going to be harness events in the oval across from our oval and Elle HATES harness but luckily a truck pulled up just in the space that was in our view. 
Our first event was Open Lightweight Galloway 14.2-15h. There were about 20 or so horses (some stunning) in this, and we were called in first! I made sure when we did our workout that we didn't slip up because I knew we'd be put down for a minor mistake, and Elle went brilliantly. We stayed in first! ($5 prize money..hehe) Then we had the championship. We all worked on the circle and were asked to walk, trot, lengthen trot, canter, lengthen canter and canter with reins in one hand. Elle didn't put a foot wrong. We got Champion Galloway! (trophy) Our last event for the morning was Ladies Galloway 14-15h and we were called in first. UNFORTUNETLEY Elle cantered during the lengthened trot and we were put down to second place. 
We waited AGES for the afternoon until the Supreme Championship (champion of the champions) I didn't think we'd get it but the others reckoned we would. Well, five minutes before it I realised we had to get ready, and raced. You know how it is, you can't find anything when you need it, but luckily I had Hannah helping me... Elle was getting kind of nervous from me running around her but Hannah walked her around while I got myself ready. With hardly warming up we went in. There were so many horses I couldn't count them up. I was up against some beautiful horses and I was also up against Paul's horse! Anyway, we were called to line up and the judges kept talking and looking at us, and well, they said "We'll have the brown galloway please" and that was us!! We got Supreme Champion Saddle Exhibit!!! We got a plaque and $100 prizemoney! I was so thrilled! And that was that. 

Results: 
Open Lightweight Galloway 14.2-15h: 1st 
Champion Galloway 
Ladies Galloway 14-15h: 2nd 
SUPREME CHAMPION SADDLE EXHIBIT

My instructor, Paul Austin took Elle to this show because it was our last chance to qualify for Melbourne Royal Show and I wasn't here. (I was in New Zealand visiting my Grandma). Glengarry Ag. Show was about 2.5 hours away and the show goes for 2 days. Three rings on the Sunday and 1 ring on the Monday. So Elle had 4 chances. 
Well, Elle was called in first on the first ring and won her class! Then went on to get Reserve Champion Galloway. Next ring, she was called in second because she was really tense but did a brilliant workout and won the class again. She went on to get Champion Galloway! So, now we're qualified for Melbourne Royal Show in October and Barastoc HOTY in 2000!! 

Results: 
Open Galloway 14.2-15h: 1st 
Reserve Champion Galloway 
Open Galloway 14.2-15h: 1st 
Champion Galloway 

Well, this was our show to reintroduce us back into showing before the Royal Show. In other words, this was a pre-royal show. I wasn't expecting much because Elle had only, the week before, been moved to my instructors place and wasn't yet settled so we just were going to take it easy. After so long without showing (it was the off season) I was kind of out of my routine and totally disorganised! Luckily I went with my instructor, so a couple friends were helping me. My first event was my open Galloway 14.2-15h. There were only 4 horses in this event. Elle was fine but a little tense, Paul (my instructor) told me to push her more forward and she went alot better. We were called in no particular order to do a workout. We did it, it was a little messy but we won the class! There was a galloway there who did a fantastic workout and the rider had been champion at a royal show, so I was pleased. We then had the championship. We (meaning my instructor and his friends and my family - ie. Elle's fans) were pretty sure that I'd get the champion as quote "Elle was the only decent one out there" but for some reason, the championship title was given to a Palimino without the looks but with good movement and manners. Apparentley that judge own paliminos himself so maybe that had something to do with it. But we DID get Reserve Champion Galloway, so I'm not complaining!

A friend of mine (who will be riding Elle in the Gent's Galloway at Melbourne Royal show- another student of Paul's) rode Elle in the next ring. Elle won her class again with flying colours, and then went on to receive Champion Galloway! After lunch break and stuff, Elle became lazy, but I took her in the led Galloway and she didn't pick herself up well, so we placed 3rd which was ok. The last event was the Supreme Championship. I didn't feel so good about this as Elle was totally lazy not pushing off my leg at all. We did our workout as best as possible. It actually went well but the canter transition was a little messy. We were asked for a lengthened canter towards the end, and my gawd it was hard! Well, we survived but my legs were killing me. As you can probably tell, we didn't get it, but I wasn't bothered. I was even up against Dale Plumb, my instructor and a few others to name a few. In the end a cute girl on a cute pony who did a PERFECT workout, won the Supreme title (beat Dale Plumb, but I guess he was her instructor!) 

Results: 
Open Galloway 14.2h-15h: 1st 
Reserve Champion Galloway 
Open Galloway 14.2h-15h: 1st 
Champion Galloway 
Led Galloway 14.2h-15h: 3rd

Results:
Gent's Galloway 14.2h-15h: 4th

Elle and I before our first event at the Royal Melbourne Show

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