The
conditions for horses and riding were far from ideal, with nearly 40 degree heat and not a
breeze to offer relief. With hot woollen jackets and felt hats the riders were very
hot and uncomfortable. It is a pity that appearance is so much of the sport of
showing, and that some creative 'trend setter' could not dream up a costume more
appropriate for the conditions in Australia. I have been part of the Melbourne
Summer Royal Horse Show since the beginning and every year, except one, there has been a
heat wave. The year that we did not get 40 degree temperatures, it rained cats and
dogs and the horses all looked like drowned rats.
But ... the show must go on and I admired the
dedication and commitment of the competitors to be sure that they and their horses looked
immaculate. I think that I was able to get a pic of nearly all the riders in this
class, any ommission will be in error, it is difficult to keep track of all of the horses
on the circle and then to be certain that a good photo was taken. |
