Rhonda’s happy Christmas

By Kelly Yates
A NARRE Warren South horse rider has described this year’s Royal Melbourne Show as being like a dream come true after her horse Christmas Day won every event he entered at his first ever Royal competition.
Rhondda Strafford, 54, said she was one of the oldest riders with one of the youngest horses in the show hunter events which were held last Wednesday and Thursday at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.
Ms Strafford said Christmas Day was given to her as a surprise Christmas present from her husband Peter back in 2007.
“It was a total surprise getting him. He was pretty rough and had only been broken in,” she said.
After putting many hours into his care and training, Ms Strafford took Christmas Day to this year’s show in the hope of coming home with a ribbon.
Ms Strafford, who got her first horse when she was 19, said she was over the moon with the results.
“It was a wonderful thrill as he achieved the great feat of going to his first show to compete in three events and walked away winning all three,” she said.
“He did everything I asked him to do. He did the best he could have possibly done.”
Ms Strafford’s parents, John and Frances Cross, were also there on the day to cheer the pair on.
She now plans to compete with Christmas Day at various competitions throughout the year, both in Victoria and interstate.