With Taralga locals Kim and Adam Derwent taking over the role of Chief Steward of the Horse Sections, one of the busiest sections of the show can now move forward. 

The Derwents have a long history with horses, and were described by president of the AP&H Society, Paul Anderson, as “big time horse people” in an email to the Gazette. 

“It’d be good to see it go alright,” Adam said. 

“We’re sort of thrown in the deep end this year. We’ve run the sorting for Crookwell [before], but they had [Liz Gay, the previous Chief Steward] finish up with them, so we’re gonna take it on and see how we go this year, help the community out a bit.” 

The judges of the show’s horse events are a significant drawcard for the local spectators, as many of them have judged prestigious events. 

For example, Val Robertson (Judge of Breeds across Saturday and Sunday) judged at the 2018 Melbourne Royal, and Paul Keir (judge of Saturday’s Shelton Ponies and Harness) has won at Sydney Royal in the Single Delivery Harness Heavy Horse class.

As they have to overlook one of the biggest aspects of the show, the chief stewards have a time consuming and complicated job. 

Aside from the organisational aspects, they are required to oversee each of the events, supervise the ribbons of each winner, adjudicate on all protests and settle disputes between judges. 

Although they are new to the Chief Stewardship, the Derwents have organised sorting events for the last 12 years.

Saturday 9 February

Judge: Anette O’Connell

Steward: Vicki Saville

Judge: Malcolm MacRea

Steward: Donna McDonnell

Judge: Megan Keir

Steward: David Templeton

Judge: Val Robertson

Steward: Dierdre Brooks

Judge: Paul Keir

Steward: Joan McLeenan

Judge: Tony Riley

Steward: Flis Carr

Judge: Cones Competition Judge

Steward: Cones Competition Steward

Sunday 10 February

Judge: Melissa Gamble

Steward: Phil Gamble

Judge: TBA

Steward: TBA

Judge: Val Robertson

Steward: Dierdre Brooks

Judge: Russ Chapman

Steward: TBA