Melbourne Cup magic at Berrigan Show

Victoria Racing Club representative Joe McGrath noted the trophy had been in Burrumbuttock on Saturday and was travelling onto Cobram.

The trophy also stopped at Amaroo Residential Aged Care whilst in Berrigan.

The visit to Berrigan was coordinated by the Berrigan & District Race Club as part of the annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

As thank and in recognition, race club secretary Janine Murphy was presented with a miniature trophy during the official opening.

Berrigan will also be allocated a barrier in the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup, along with the 23 other rural and regional towns which hosted the cup on its national tour.

The town allocated the barrier of the Cup’s winning horse will be presented with a $50,000 donation for a charity of their choice.

Berrigan & District Race Club has nominated Horse Aid.

The attendance of the LEXUS Melbourne Cup, together with a beautiful, warm and sunny Sunday, drew a strong crowd for the 125th Berrigan Show.

Before the official opening, the scarecrow dressing competition made a return for the second year.

Mannequins made by Berrigan Men’s Shed were dressed by teams with prizes for the scariest, most creative, and overall champion scarecrow.

Officially opening the show was 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Cassandra Bush.

She commended the Berrigan community on reaching a marvellous show milestone, and shared her Young Woman competition journey from the Cootamundra Show to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Berrigan Show president Neville Dalgliesh thanked the volunteers and all those in attendance, as well as sponsors - including platinum sponsors Kel Baxter Transport, The Café Berrigan, and Bendigo Bank.

The Bendigo Bank Community Bank Coleambally sponsorship provided for a range of free entertainment, including the popular Kidz Zone, It’s Party Time jumping castles, Cheeky Smiles Face Painting, Hay Ho Animal Nursery, and local musicians.

During the opening, AgShows NSW president Jill Chapman congratulated the Berrigan Show Society on 125 years of show memories.

She presented Aimee Snowden with the Royal Agricultural Societies of NSW (RAS of NSW) Agricultural Shows Award for her drive and commitment to the local event.

The it was time for the other show fun to kick into gear.

Horse events, from the fun ring to brumbies, were strong thanks to new events and classes introduced. This included off the track events.

Kitty Lawton, with Squatters Gift, was named the Supreme Led Australian Stock Horse.

The showjumping ring had another strong day with competitors commending the beautiful sportsground.

Adam Prime, riding Saddle Up Smudge, won the Kelvin Baxter Transport Grand Prix 130cm.

The Upper Murray Horseman’s Association snaffle bit cutting and team yarding events hosted on the second oval were popular across Saturday and Sunday.

It was a warm one for poultry showing, but a huge number enjoyed the great variety of birds presented.

The new backyard section brought new faces to Berrigan, with Phil Selman taking out the prize.

Alan Lawrence received Grand Champion Bird of the Show with a large old English game blue duckwing hen.

A standout number of strong entries were present right across the show, from fleeces to Junior Showgoers and across the pavilion.

Melbourne Cup-inspired competitions were popular throughout the pavilion with horseshoe floral arrangements, horse racing-themed handicrafts and art, and even Melbourne Cup-inspired LEGO.

Results are still be collated and will be provided in a future edition of the Southern Riverina News.