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2019 Garryowen Competitors
This article is from the November 2019 Horse Deals magazine.
The 2019 Garryowen winner Jess Stones and Mikimoto.
Second Place - Stephanie Barrington & Rebelle
Stephanie Barrington is one of the true daughters of the Garryowen. The National Account Manager for L’Oreal has been competing at the Royal Melbourne Show for the past 20 years and grew up in its great Turnout tradition. Steph won in 2011 and this year gave her her third second placing. She rode her Warmblood mare, Rebelle, bred by former Garryowen winner Maree Tomkinson.
Third Place and Winner of the First Year Competitor - Brynie Lee & SLM Valentino
Anyone who watched the 85th Garryowen would have been impressed with the workout of 19-year-old Brynie Lee and SLM Valentino. On the sidelines, it looked effortless, but for anyone who rides, we know it is not. It takes hours in the saddle to develop such a partnership between horse and rider; it does not happen by chance. There is no chance in the Lee household, just plain hard work. With 24 horses in work at their family property at Whittlesea, Brynie and her sisters Ebonie and Tamara are familiar with work.
Planning for the Garryowen started over 12 months ago. Brynie had the horse - tick, the saddlery - tick, but the costume was sourced second hand, and much to Brynie’s delight, it fitted perfectly.
Brynie continues, “my aim was to try and win the Best First Year Competitor, I wasn’t even hoping to place, that didn’t even enter my mind. The morning of the Garryowen, I tried to keep relaxed; it wasn’t stressful at all, it all went pretty smoothly. I had my family helping us get ready along with Carol Hassell and Kate Richards and it was calm back at the stables.
“We were in the last heat, and I know my horse really well, he is sharp but knows what he is doing as long as I keep him on the job. I always try and keep my cool and once we had finished our workout I was super happy, it was a good ride and it felt good.
“When we were called forward as the Best First Year Competitor, I was really happy, and then when we were called forward into third I was shocked, it was such an amazing result that I had not even expected. I will definitely be back again to compete in the Garryowen.
“The story behind the Garryowen is just so sad, and it is an honour and a privilege to compete in this prestigious event.”
Fourth Place - Ali Berwick & Rolex II
A lovely combination. 2012 Garryowen winner, professional horse trainer, Ali Berwick partnered Michelle Labahn’s beautiful, ‘Rolex II’ to take fourth place in the Garryowen Equestrian Turnout this year. They took second place last year and Rolex II, 2019 Sydney Royal Champion Hack, is by Bradbury’s Luck and raced as Grey Assassin.
Fifth Place - Georgie Kellock & Belcam Coraline
Twenty-two year old student, Georgie Kellock from Hawthorn East experienced the ups and downs of equestrian life when her proposed Garryowen ride went lame at the last minute. Fortunately she had a more than able backup in the form of her, Belcam Coraline that she rode to sixth place last year and fifth this year.
Sixth Place - Rebecca Crane & Federer
Rebecca Crane from Chandler in Queensland rode her very well performed Show Hunter, Federer, to have her first ride in the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout class and was delighted to take sixth place overall.
Karen Shaw & DP Polo
Karen Shaw from Chambers Flat in Queensland has had great success in the show ring for many years and this was her third ride in the Garryowen Turnout class. She rode the well performed show horse, DP Polo, a Thoroughbred by Faltaat that raced as Knigtsbridge.
Kathleen Mullan & Divinity
Kathleen Mullan from Melton created history a few years ago by riding a Standardbred in the Garryowen. This year however, the Equine Welfare Manager for Harness Racing Australia chose to ride her successful Thoroughbred mare, Divinity by Oratorio. She has competed at Melbourne Royal many times and this was her third run in the Garryowen.
Rebekah Carrolan & Aston Martin II
Successful show rider and book keeper, Rebekah Carrolan from Maffra in Victoria was competing in her fourth Garryowen. She rode her well performed Thoroughbred, Aston Martin II by Gilded Time. Rebekah has had success in Turnout classes at Melbourne and was declared Garryowen Best First Year Competitor in 2014.
Michelle Paynter & DP Amazing
Legal Secretary, Michelle Paynter was born and bred in to a successful Melbourne Royal showing tradition and has competed there since she was three years old. She rode her very well performed show horse, DP Amazing, a Thoroughbred by Medal Of Honour, that has placed on a number of occasions.
Rachelle O’Connor & DP Cobalt
Rachelle O’Connor’s family farm at Garfield North in Victoria was impacted by the bushfires earlier this year. The first things to be evacuated were her horse, DP Cobalt and her Garryowen gear. A successful show rider, the 21yo marketing student has been competing at Melbourne Royal, “for the past 18 years or so” and this was her first time in the Garryowen.
Paula Heffernan & La Debonaire
Assistant racehorse trainer, Paula Heffernan from Yearing in the Yarra valley was having her first ride in the Garryowen this year, although she has been riding since she was two years old. Like many young women interested in horses, it is a real ambition to ride in this famous Turnout class. She rode her Chateau Istana Thoroughbred gelding, La Debonaire.
Ashlyn Sorraghan & Certainty
Hairdresser, Ashlyn Sorraghan did not have a hair out of place. She comes from a family with a long association with the Royal Melbourne Show and she knows what is expected of a Garryowen entry. She has competed at Melbourne Royal every year since she was five years old and is pictured aboard her Thoroughbred mare, Certainty by Undoubtedly.
Penny Greenhill & Kolbeach Party
Interior designer, Penny Greenhill has made her annual visit to Melbourne Show for the past 32 years and yes, she did start very young in Miniature turnout classes. Penny from Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsular, riding in her seventh Garryowen is pictured aboard her Thoroughbred/Riding Pony, Kolbeach Party.
Skye Rieniets & Tarrakellah Vision
2019 was only the second year Skye Rieniets from Blampied in Victoria has ridden at Melbourne Show and this was her first ride in the Garryowen. Skye rode her own, bred and trained, Tarrakellah Vision.
Catherine Neill & SLM Mercedes
Qantas international flight attendant, Catherine Neill won the Garryowen in 2017 and was one of five previous winners in the strong competition this year; perhaps the strongest for some years. She won in 2017 riding her Zabeel gelding, SLM Mercedes, that raced as, Crosswind and is pictured aboard him again this year.
Jemima Draper & Da Vinci Code
Podiatrist Jemima Draper from Euroa has been a stalwart of the Garryowen and has competed in the event nine times. She has had two fourth placings and one fifth and last year took fourth place riding the Thoroughbred, Da Vinci Code by Primus, that she chose to ride again this year.
Rebecca Gerber & Elmdale Park Hightime
Rebecca Gerber has served a long Turnout apprentiship at Melbourne, starting with the Mini Turnouts as a three year old. This is the second ride in the Garryowen for the primary teacher from Sunbury and she is pictured aboard her well behaved five year old Thoroughbred/Riding Pony, Elmdale Park Hightime.
Heidi Pickstock & DP Gisele
Marketing executive, Heidi Pickstock from Cardinia in Victoria has placed in the Garryowen five times and this year chose to ride the Thoroughbred mare, DP Gisele that was purchased out of Horse Deals Magazine four years ago. Heidi is another rider with a long tradition of riding at Melbourne Royal.
Melissa Molloy & Relmsparc Foxtrot
Melissa Molloy was the first of the nine first time Garryowen riders to work. Although a rider all her life, this was the first Melbourne Royal for Melissa from Nar Nar Goon. She is pictured riding her Thoroughbred, Relmsparc Foxtrot by Stratum that raced as, Ideal Strategy.
Rebecca Phillips & Fire To The Rain
Police officer, Rebecca Phillips has had a lot of experience riding at Melbourne Royal before her career called a halt. But she is back in action and this was her fourth ride in the Garryowen riding her Fire To The Rain, a Thoroughbred mare by Man of Illusion.
India Mitchell & Royalwood Centre Stage
Like many, but not all, India Mitchell began riding as a very young girl and has competed at Melbourne Royal for 14 years and this is her sixth Garryowen appearance. The architect from North Melbourne is riding her Thoroughbred/Riding Pony, Royalwood Centre Stage on which she placed sixth in 2017.
Laura Pankhurst & Centre Stage
Laura Pankhurst, a secondary teacher from Tongala in Victoria this year rode in her second Garryowen. Laura rode her own Center Stage who is an unraced Thoroughbred by Arena out of Poundwise.
Stephanie O’Connor & Supreme
Stephanie O’Connor from Seaforth in NSW when not riding horses is involved in digital marketing. She has had a great deal of showing success with her Thoroughbred, Supreme by Doomsday and this was her fifth ride in the Garryowen.
Fiona McIntyre & Precedence
Fiona McIntyre from Inverleigh in Victoria has a direct line to some of the best racehorses when they come off the track. Fiona has had much success with her own, Sheralee Patterson and Reg Flemming’s, Precedence, who raced in four Melbourne Cups won two Moonee Valley Cups and two Queen Elizabeth Stakes and over two million dollars in his racing career. Fiona has ridden all her life and has a long association with the Royal Melbourne Show and the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout class.
Penny Verco & DP Tulara Fursandro
Real Estate owner, Penny Verco from Mt Eliza in Victoria has had great success in the Garryowen. She was second in 2001, third in 2002 and won the famous Turnout class in 2003. This year she rode Tonia Scaife’s Furstenball mare, DS Tulara Fursandro.
Crystal Anderson & OEH Showtime
This was the first ride in the Garryowen for Oil and Gas Engineer, Crystal Anderson from Banjup in WA. Crystal has been riding, “before I can remember” and competed at Melbourne as a young girl and is now “making a return from WA”. She rode Belinda Gray’s Warmblood/Thoroughbred, OEH Showtime.
Tiffany Greenhill & Tiffin’s Encore
Tiffany Greenhill has been competing at Melbourne Show for 28 years and she has the photos to prove it. The teacher from Balnarring in Victoria was having her second ride in the Garryowen aboard, Tiffin’s Encore the son of her first ride, the Thoroughbred, Taking Centre Stage.
Margot Haynes & KP Royal Prince
Margot Haynes from the Bugle Ranges in South Australia has won the Garryowen twice, has had two seconds and a third from six starts. When not successfully involved with horses, Margot works in finance for the Macquarie bank. This year she rode Leah Walsh’s Riding Pony/Thoroughbred, KP Royal Prince.
Natalie McKay & St Andrews
Natalie McKay a radiographer from Officer in Victoria has been competing at Melbourne Royal since she was 12 years old, but this was her first ride in the famous Turnout class. She rode her Thoroughbred, St Andrews by Sandtrap that raced with the same name. “I have only owned St Andrews for about nine months and he is an actual pleasure to work with”.
Lauren O’Doherty & Optimal
Lauren O’Doherty has been competing at Melbourne Royal for 25 years as well as competing in the rather different campdrafting arena. This is her second ride in the Garryowen and she is pictured aboard Jordan Barnard’s Octagonal gelding, Optimal that raced with the same name.
Katie Ramsay & Inafrenzy
Racechorse retrainer, Katie Ramsay from Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula is putting her work to the test. She was sent the former racehorse, Inafrenzy by Sharkbite to retrain as a possible eventer. Katie thought showing would suit him better and the successful show horse was her choice for her fourth ride in the famous Equestrienne Turnout class.
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