Australia's northern states see mild winters with temperatures around 20 - 25 degrees celsius which is about as perfect as you can get for showjumping. While the southern states shut down for the winter, Queensland provides a fabulous circuit with makes it worth the while of the jumpers south of the borders to make the long trip north.

Now with the added bonus of the climate, a perfect venue at the Elysian Fields which is located aongst such unusual sounding places as Biddaddaba, Wonglepong and Benobble this tour carries the biggest prize fund in the country and that always attracts the cream of the cream, no matter which country you are in!

The tour ran over three shows and carried three main tours - the Gold, Silver and Bronze tours. There were also Debutant Tours as well as age classes - all of which can only improve the standard of jumping in Australia, which is never a bad thing!

Three qualifiers were run in the lead up to each final and the Gold Tour saw Merrick Ubank take out the first qualifier from Chris Chugg and Vivant and David Dobson and Picco Bello.

The second Gold qualifier went to New Zealand youngster, who is not a stranger in Aus, Katie McVean and Dunstan Hairy McClairy. Katie is the daughter of one of Australia's finest showjumpers, Jeff who decided to defect to new Zealand some years ago.

Victorian Becky Allen and Koyuna Ted too second to Katie and Chris Chugg was again in the money with VIvant taking 3rd.

The final qualifier saw Paul Asthanasoff and his home bred stallion Wiragulla Nicklaus take first spot, with New Zealand's Oliver Edgecombe and Vancouver take 2nd and 3rd went to Showjumping Chairperson, Vicki Roycroft and Infatuation.

The final Grand Prix for the Gold Tour carried first place money of AU$25,000 and this went to Chris Chugg and Vivant - pictured below right - who pulled out all stops in the final event to be th eonly double clear out of the 22 combination field starting over the Graeme Watts track.

Laurie Lever and Ashleigh Drossel Dan - pictured below - fought the odds by walking the course on crutches after a smashed foot has seen him out of action for a bit of time, and then climbing aboard his wonderful grey gelding to take second place and the AU$10,000 that went with the placing.

Third went to Queenslander, Tim Armitrano and Mr Innocent.

The Silver Tour was well subscribed and the Merrick Ubank picke dup some more money when he won the first silver qualifier with Dover Street. Billy Raymont and KG Ampolla grabbed second place and eventer, Wendy Shaeffer and Koyuna Sun Set took out third money.

The second qualifier saw Vicki Roycroft and her grey gelding Ricardo D win from South Australian, Amy Graham and her imported grey gelding Transatlantic. Jenny Sheppard and Licara R took 3rd placing.

For the third qualifier nothing much changed except the order in which the first three lined up - Amy Graham won, Vicki Roycroft took second, this time riding Noblewood park Blatini and Jenny Sheppard slotted in comfortably to third place.

Pictured left - Tim Armitrano and Mr Innocent.

Pictured below - Vicki Roycroft, up close and personal!

Pictured below right - The novelty of her lovely imported gelding obviously has not worn off for Amy Graham, judging by the big smile on her face as she guides Transatlantic over the fences in the Silver Tour.