Heavy horses put on a show for royal audience

ABOVE: Andrew Marriott and champion delivery horse Aarunga Destiny. Picture: SHARLENE PHILLIPS

TRADITION is still strong in the heavy horse section at the Royal Melbourne Show and what they lack in numbers from days gone by is made up for in the quality of the exhibits.

The old stud names like Box Valley, Aarunga and Murroka are still represented, with the grand championship for led Clydesdale going to Andrew Marriott’s mare Aarunga Tiffany.

The open best yearling colt or filly was Box Valley Clydesdales’ colt Box Valley Levi, with Andrew Marriott’s Aarunga Goddess named the best yearling colt or filly bred by the exhibitor.

S.E. Jorgensen Memorial Trophy for the best novice exhibitor was awarded to Chris Chiotelis showing Harwood Lady Audrey.

Barbara Ford’s Haylands Kristin won the Clydesdale Produce Sweepstakes for two-year-old fillies and Andrew Marriott the three-year-old with Aarunga Queenie.

Murroka Pty Ltd’s Murroka Galaxy driven by Claire Harris was the champion Clydesdale in harness and winner of the Allan Marriott Memorial Best Harness Clydesdale Exhibit.

Julie Barber's Aarunga Spot On was the reserve champion Clydesdale in harness and the pair also picked up the championship for Clydesdale driven in reins.  

The pair of Clydesdale in harness went to Andrew Marriott with Phillip and Peter and he added the second placegetters, Pride and Prince, to the team to win the four-in-hand.

ABOVE: Julie Barber and Aarunga Spot On. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

Junior competitors coming through the ranks include Lara Hamilton, Beau Blight, Alexis Bartlett and sisters Amy and Eva Scott.

All competed in the junior handler classes with Lara and Amy winning their age divisions.

Lara also won the Denzildon Trophy for best junior handler and placed between Eva (first) and Amy (third) in the junior driver under 18 in reins and collar.

This year’s winner of the Wee Willie Junior Handler award was Rianna Ewert.

In the young driver aged 10 to 18, Sienna Finemore and Mathew Patterson – both with well-known surnames in the show ring from previous generations – were first and second.

ABOVE: Eva Scott, winner of the junior driver class, moves into senior competition next year.

The tradesman and delivery section is always a delight to watch and where the colour and spectacle happens.

Champion in the single turnouts was winner of the long-shaft brake turnout over 14 hands class Shane Patterson and Billy.

The pony turnout winner Primrose Park Snow Daisy driven by D.  Stewart was reserve.

Maryanne Finemore drove Dianna to win the Baker/Milkman/Butcher Turnout.

The multiple turnout again went to Andrew Marriott’s team of four Clydesdales.

There were sadly no entries in the historical turnout.

Andrew Marriott’s Aarunga Destiny was champion delivery horse in a traditional vehicle and Matthew Marriot drove Murroka Crackerjack to win the champion show driving horse.

Ellen Patterson steered Cataraqui Scallywag to win the lady driver class and the best ridden heavy horse was Vanessa Wells’ Larvistryn Hunter.

ABOVE Claire Marriott helped manage her family’s large team. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

Full results

View and purchase ONE-EYED FROG PHOTOGRAPHY images from this event

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