PG . 70
AQHA FEATURE
Trophy saddles
AGH Champion Rob Leach riding Shirley Shine Q-92560
In the opening ceremony for the ARBC Show and this feature event , organiser Errol Thomas thanked all that had supported the ARBC Show ; sponsors , judges , competitors , helpers and spectators . With an event of this size and inclusion of this new feature event he thanked the major sponsors of this prestigious event , Circle L Western Products , Xtreme Genes , Thomas Arena Products and Total Steel Australia , it is the support of great sponsors that make the ARBC grow in numbers each year .
This year the ARBC remembered a great bloke , friend and an amazing horseman “ Ronnie Wall ” with a few words spoken from Jim Ryan , followed by a minute ’ s silence in his memory , while Leah Read loped one of Ronnie ’ s favourite mares , Marnie ’ s Destiny around the arena . There wasn ’ t a dry eye in attendance as we all paid tribute and remembered the great Ronnie Wall .
The Dalby Major declared the show open to a crowd of enthusiastic spectators and there were also over 15,000 from
Rookie L1 and L2 Clare Neylon riding Lil Miss Genius and Julie Hughes riding Wimpys Lil Miss
across the globe tuning in via the live streaming of this epic event . As The National Anthem was sung by one of our own Grace Christoffel riding the ever-wonderful Mr Bombastic , it certainly was a night to remember . With all competitors and their horses introduced to the crowd it was showtime in the spectacularly dressed arena and an atmosphere that was befitting to the prestige of this feature event .
The first horse “ Do Me A Favour ridden by Leah Read ” being first to run into the pen to the roar of the crowd signalled the start of the Australia ’ s Greatest Horseman Finals , the judges for this $ 40,000 event being Darren Simpson and Glenn Wyse .
All 15 finalists certainly showcased the talent of the horse and rider combinations in the Drywork & Down the Fence section in front of an excited crowd .
The Championship Title holder was crowned in front of a great crowd of excited spectators . “ Rob Leach riding Shirley Shiney ”, owned by Peter & Marie Rogan .
Australia ’ s Greatest Horseman Presentation
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - WWW . AQHA . COM . AU