Hunter Valley Arabians A Class Show

It has been really busy over the last few weeks with some big shows on. Last weekend had 2 days at the NSW All Welsh Show and then up to Salt Ash for the Hunter Valley Arabians show. I was pleased to be involved with this show and was proud to sponsor the awards for Supreme Led Arabian Derivative Gelding and Supreme Led Purebred Arabian Gelding.

Supreme Led Arabian Derivative (pictured above) was awarded to Narelle Kinnears' lovely boy who also went on to take the garland in the Ridden events.

Annette Vickery's sweet boy Bremervale Orlando was awarded Supreme Led Purebred Arabian Gelding.

My thanks to the committee and competitors for a great day at the show.

Back in the Saddle!

I hope everyone has had a good break over winter and are all rested and ready to go for the spring season.

It all kicked off for me again last weekend with a day at SIEC for the AWHA Gala Show. There were some lovely Warmbloods on show and I was lucky enough to see the gorgeous stallion Smash Hit in the flesh as he took the Supreme Led exhibit and was shown by Gina Beck in the ridden events.




Then off to Parkes on Saturday night for the Australian Saddle Pony Country Championships on Sunday. Despite the bitterly cold wind, the sun was shining and there were good numbers in all rings. The lovely show hunter Heatherbrae Flash Jack owned by Rachael Clarke took out Supreme Ridden on the day after a super work out. This boy has had a great run of late taking out Champions and Supremes at several Ag Shows just lately.





I would like to thank Nerida,Alison, and Ann for having me out again this year, as always the show was enjoyable and the committee are great fun to work with - thanks guys!


The Foal Show was another sensational mid winters day and there were some stunners there as well. Pictured below is Wynara Melody shown by Cameron Wood.



It hasn't all been horses over the past few months. I have been busy with some family portraits and weddings as well.


Belinda and Michael tied the knot with a lovely ceremony at Lauriston House. Once again, the weather was perfect and both bride and groom looked beautiful.









Katrina and Wayne celebrated their big day in May with an outdoor ceremony on the Nepean River. Lots of family, fun and laughter characterised the wedding.













Congratulations to Amy Smith who is two thirds of the way through her first pregnancy. Amy is having some maternity photos done later this month with her husband Pete and I am certainly looking forward to the shoot.


That might do for now - see you at the show!

Alicia.

11x14 Promotion - Winner Announced.

Congratulations to Martine Duncan! Martine ordered photos within the first 7 days of the Equestrian NSW Horse of the Year show and has won an 11x14 print of her favourite photo from the order. Martine and the lovely Rathowen Saxony were Runner Up Large Pony of the Year. Thank you to all.

Equestrian Australia Horse of the Year 2009

Thank you to everyone that has phoned and emailed me with comments about the new site - seems that most are finding it easier to get around and the Favourites and Package features have been really popular!

The first major event to be placed on the new site was Equestrian Australia Horse of the Year last weekend and all photos have now been loaded to the galleries. Horse of the Year was a good couple of days with some lovely winners and some great workouts along the way. The galloway class in particular was a beauty, nearly every horse in that class showed sensationally - that sure makes my job so much easier to do.

My favourite photo from the weekend came about as Nottingham Fine Print ridden by Pam Bush was sashed Galloway of the Year. What a great reaction - it made my day!



Congratulations to all competitors it was a nice event to photograph and I even managed to find time to catch up and have a chat (how very unusual) with some of my friends, one I hadn't seen in about 20 years, so all in all a good weekend at the show.

I decided to run a promotion on this show where all online orders received within the first 7 days will go into a draw to win an 11x14 print of their favourite photo from their order. That will be drawn on Monday 30th March and the winner will be announced here. Good luck to all!

Next week is a busy one, I have a lovely doggie and owner portrait to shoot and they are always good fun and then off to the Grand National to watch the best horses in Australia compete - when you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work!

See you at the show.

Alicia

New Website

It has been a busy couple of weeks! Canberra Royal done and dusted for another year and the Grand National and Sydney right around the corner. I have also been busy building a new website http://www.aliciabirch.com.au/ and its is now ready to go...still a few bits and pieces to be done BUT - all photos from 2009 events have now been loaded and are available for viewing.

After three years I felt it was time to give the website a new look and I wanted to be able to provide my clients with more features and benefits. You can still order online using your credit card through Paypal, and you can now order online and pay by cheque, money order or direct deposit with the details provided when you place your order.

There are lots of new features that will make viewing and ordering your photos a whole lot easier. You can sign up for a favourites folder to save your images and compare them in one place, then order direct from your folder. Sign on for the mailing list and receive notifications as soon as photos are loaded and event expiry dates. New features include discounts on orders received within the first 7 days of an event, photo packages that will save you anywhere from $5.00 - $40.00, faster loading of pages, arrow through enlargements and - lots more features to come!

You can also sign up for the blog to see my favourite images from events & shoots, find out the latest news, tips and hints for getting the best out of your photo shoot and announcements on future promotions. Should be fun!

The previous website will cease on the 22nd March but you will still be able to use http://www.showhorsephotography.com.au/ after this date as it will be redirected to the new site. Photographs from all events from EFA Horse of the Year onwards will be loaded to the new site only. I would love to hear what you think.





See you at the show
Alicia