Queensland Royal Wrap Up

Another Queensland Royal, affectionately known as the Ekka, is done and dusted. This was the second year I have attended the show and I was sad to see entries were very much down on last year due to the compulsory Hendra Virus vaccination. That is not to say the quality was down, there were some stunning hacks, galloways and ponies at the show plus many different breed classes.

Residing in North Western Sydney means I had to travel and pay for accommodation for the length of the show. I flew into Brisbane two days before the horse classes started and settled into a studio apartment not 5 minutes from the showground, talk about location location location! Another feature being so close to the showground was having a front row seat to the nightly fireworks from the skydeck of the apartment block.

Although it was a bit lonely in my apartment each night I met my evil twin during the day, another equine photographer by the name of Allira! It sure confused the media centre at Ekka who thought we were the same person, which was quickly fixed and we both received our correct media passes. Allira Batstone resides in the outskirts of Brisbane and I am happy to say I now have another friend in the equine photography world. Don't forget to check out her work and photos from the Ekka here.

The 9 days of competition flew by with many broad sashes and garlands being awarded. Here are just some of the results:

• Champion Hack & Novice Hack of Queensland: Entourage exhibited by Warren Coyle
• Champion Novice Show Hunter of Queensland: Pearlz exhibited by Tia Richardson
• Champion Show Hunter of Queensland: France exhibited by the Crane and Raymont Families
• Champion Galloway & Novice Galloway of Queensland: Kirralee True Obsession exhibited by Kim Taunton
• Champion Child's Pony Hack: Bamborough Mickey J exhibited by Ada Spring
• Champion Show Hunter Pony of Queensland: Elvonara Park Kandyman exhibited by the Senter Family

The last day of the show was a half day for the showing classes, as the show jumping championships were on. So I went from the main arena straight to the airport and on a late flight home. And of course I knew I was back in Sydney because it was raining!

Hopefully next year there will be more exhibitors for the 139th annual Royal Queensland Show.