Alice Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
The Alice Laidlaw Memorial Trophy was first awarded in 1947.
One of Australia's greatest horse women
Fearless, a standout equestrienne, a leading woman horse breeder and trainer, Aimee Alice McCulloch (later Laidlaw) was born into a horse loving dynasty. She was described as one of the best show-ring personalities in Australia.
This trophy was first awarded in 1947, the year that Alice Laidlaw died following a fall from a rearing horse at the Korumburra Show. The trophy is for the best woman rider over fences at the Royal Melbourne Show.
A love of jumping
Laidlaw grew up jumping fences and logs at her grandfather’s property, ‘Woodlands’, near Ararat. Aged six, she entered her first show, at Deniliquin, riding over fences in a jumping event.
As an adult, Laidlaw broke the Australian records jumping on her horses; her best was when she set the Australian record with a jump of 7 feet, 10 inches (2.4 meters).
Laidlaw and her horses won at all show levels in Australia and competed internationally.
Laidlaw rode hunters, bred and broke in hunters and jumpers, was one of the first women to drive a trotting sulky and even organised local gymkhanas. She married in 1918 and unsurprisingly her husband, Mr A. A. Laidlaw of ‘The Hill’, Ararat was a horseman and show judge.
Laidlaw first not to ride side saddle at English hunt club
Laidlaw was the first lady to ride ‘astride’ at one of the celebrated English hunt clubs. It so scandalised the conservative members that she was politely asked never to do so again. The sight was too much for the modest susceptibilities of those who rigorously supported Queen Mary's views that the side seat was the only one possible for a modest woman.
Mandy Bede
A new trophy will be presented at Royal Melbourne Show this year to commemorate the memory of one of the country's greatest horse-women, the late Mrs. A. A. Laidlaw, of "The Hill;" Ararat. It will be competed for in perpetuity for the best woman rider over hurdles at the show each year. Mrs. Laidlaw began her career as Alice McCulloch, daughter of the Western district family, a horsewoman and breeder of stud stock. She quickly became one of the foremost equestriennes at leading Royal Shows in Australia. She was fearless, a natural judge, and a skilled trainer. She was a stickler for the correct manners and paces of the horses she rode, looked impeccable on horseback and never deviated from her high standard.
Below is a list of previous winners
|
Year |
Rider |
Horse |
|
2023 |
Angela Dobbin |
Gabriel MVNZ |
|
2022 |
No Competition |
No Competition |
|
2021 |
No Show |
No Show |
|
2020 |
No Show |
No Show |
|
2019* |
Katie Laurie |
Elysium GNZ |
|
2018 |
Heleni Goodman |
Gravitus |
|
2017 |
Virginia Wilding |
Café Cortado |
|
2016 |
Olivia Benger |
Half Moon Rising |
|
2015 |
Claire Patterson |
Mr Toby |
*Award criteria was changed