Showies take over Wandin Park for the first time in ... yonks
- Fran Cleland
- 24 minutes ago
- 3 min read
WANDIN Park Riding Club has a lot of experience running jumping events but broke with tradition recently to host a day out for the showies.
The 2026 Official Winter Woolies Horse Show attracted nearly 40 entries, which committee member and show organiser Shelley Murcutt described as a great turnout with good numbers in every class.
“It’s been over 20 years – way before my time – since the club has run a show,” she said.
“Traditionally we run a jumping event in April each year and even more traditionally this club, due its location at Wandin Park, is made up of mostly eventing and dressage riders.”
Shelley has a background in showing and is the long-standing president of the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association of Victoria (SPPHAV), so has run many shows.
“I am new to the committee this year and offered to run (the) winter woollies show as well as the showjumping,” she said.
“So, we have run two events in the last three months that have been very different.”
Wandin Park’s large sand arenas that are usually used for jumping were perfect underfoot, she said, and gave show riders plenty of space for workouts.
“I had no idea there would be such a demand for a competitor- friendly event and was shocked by the great numbers,” she said.
“I did spend a bit of time praying the arenas would dry out in time, but it turned out a stunning day.”
Sally Mizzi officiated as judge and gave some great feedback, which was much appreciated by competitors, throughout the day.
The smartest on parade winners were Lyndall Hall and Asham Shannon (level five), Isabella Ingram and Mr Clooney (level four), Jody Cross and Shepherds Hill Kevin (level 3), Chelsea Douglas and Ellanbrae Bel Edoste (level 2) and Brenda Scott and GVP Indys Something Special (level 1).
The championship was awarded to Isabella Ingram with Jody Cross the reserve.
In the led classes, Rebecca Doolan’s large hack Bellissima was champion and Helen Godfrey’s galloway Nearly Perfect the reserve. Brenda Scott’s GVP Indys Something Special won the small hack led class.
The champion ridden mount was Chelsea Crooks in level three with Platinum Primrose. Level one’s Mandy Edwards’ San Sassy was the reserve champion, with Emma Fish’s Main Deck winning in level five, Jacinta Collard’s Valmue in level four and Brittany Jubb’s Manorvale Showgirl in level two.
The champion rider was Rebecca Doolan (level one) and reserve was Jody Cross (level three).
Showing their versatility to take the championship in the mount most suitable was the level three team of Lauren Maher and Miss Cherry Pie. Rebecca Doolan and Bellissima won the combined level 1 and 2 to finish reserve champion.
The grade five mount most suitable was Lyndall Hall’s Asham Shannon and Isabella Ingram’s Mr Clooney won the grade four class.
Jody Cross and Shepherds Hill Kevin, representing Officer Equestrian Club, were the high point winners of the show.
As well as the open program, there were breed awards for off-the-track Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds.
Sarah Ward (Marshall) and TP Black Rose took home the Standardbred award, while Isabella Ingram’s Mr Clooney was the standout Thoroughbred.
Full results
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