That’s a wrap: Day 1 at the Melbourne Royal Show

They’re off and chopping! The 2024 Melbourne Royal Show kicked off today with an exciting first day of competition. From the nail-biting nerves of the woodchop to the on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement of the Action Dogs, spirits were high as the first round of results rolled in.

Brad Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Royal congratulated competitors on their success on the opening day.
“The true stars of the Show are the skilled woodchoppers, the livestock and their handlers, show horses and their champion riders, championship dogs and their owners, skilled woodchoppers, and arts, crafts and cookery, all competing to win a coveted Melbourne Royal blue ribbon,” he said.

Here’s a wrap-up of today’s highlights.

 

Melbourne Royal Woodchop Championships

Four finals provided plenty of crowd-pleasing action.

300mm Standing Block Championship: Laurence M O’Toole, Victoria.
275mm Underhand Handicap: Dale Hansford, Victoria.
375mm Single Handed Sawing Championship: Robert Dowling
300mm Standing Block Handicap: Riley Sheehan

 

Melbourne Royal Horses in Action Competition

Show jumping in the morning, harness in the afternoon, and a new trophy to commemorate the memory of one of the country’s greatest horse-women – there was no shortage of winners in the horse arena on day 1.

Group A Jumping Contest: Allyson Lamb’s on Eagle Rock (Ned)
Group B Jumping Contest: Brook Dobbin’s on Devos GP
Group C Jumping Contest: Isabelle Jameson riding Levi Xtreme (NZL)
Group D Jumping Contest: Marbel Capital’s Licaviv, ridden by Imogen Lindh
The Alice Laidlaw Memorial Trophy, Ladies Jumping Contest: Allyson Lamb riding Janory DP (Ned)
Champion Harness Turnout: Crosswynds Our Brenin driven by Elsa Avery
Champion Viceroy Turnout: Naringalook Gandalf driven by Rodney Lane

 

Melbourne Royal All Breeds Championships Show

The strong bond between dogs and handlers made for some thrilling competition on day 1 of competition.

Rally 1 – Masters: Mrs A Mann. Bred by: Mr R A Carlson (Australian Shepherd)
Rally 2 – Masters: Mr J Carter. Bred By: Mrs D Veevers (Kerry Blue Terrier)

 

Melbourne Royal Sheep Competition

The sheep competition at the Melbourne Royal kicked off with breed judging, showcasing top-tier livestock and setting the standard for exceptional quality at this year’s competition. The top sheep sashes, Supreme Champion Exhibit, were taken out by the following exhibitors:

South Suffolk: Barry Shalders, Willow Drive South Suffolk & English Leicester Stud.
English Leicester: Barry Shalders, Willow Drive South Suffolk & English Leicester Stud.
Lincoln: IS, RB & PA Christie, Garvald.
Shropshire: Aurora Park, VIC.
Southdown: Andrew Lakin, Allanwood (Suffolk & Southdowns) – Glenelk (Hampshire Down)
Suffolk: Bruce Rolfe and Douglas Scott, Oberon, NSW.
White Dorper: Wendy Eisentrager, Eisentrager Dorpers.
Border Leicester: Aurora Park, VIC.
Corriedale: Bron Ellis, Sweetfield Corriedale Stud, VIC.
Poll Dorset: Finley High School.
Texel: Rusty Gate Texels, SA.
Valais Blacknose: Malakai Valais Blacknose Sheep, VIC.

The celebrations continued into the night at the Sheep and Wool Exhibitors function in the Livestock Bar.

 

Visit melbourneroyal.com.au/competition-awards for the full list of Melbourne Royal Competition results.