Berwick Agi show

Team Joyce have entered the Berwick Agricultural show for over 20 years and after its all over it still makes you feel like you cannot wait for the next year to enter again. The volunteers put together a well organised show not just for the showjumpers but all other facets as well.We took the time to walk around the whole venue to take in everything on offer. Wes loves to look at the old fashioned motors, I like the cookery , Sarah and Tiffany seem to take in everything on display really. But there is one tradition Team Joyce have always fulfilled at every Agi show and that is having a good ol’ hot jam doughnut. Just one each they taste so good and make our show complete.

Wes and Sarah took LH Johnny and LH Albert on Friday afternoon and Tiffany and I were to drive down after work. As per usual the yards and power are on hand and parking is blissful. It was so nice to have close clean toilets as well. Akoonah Park which is were the show is held really do have a very special area well equipped for everyone hence why so many entrants attend as spectators because they can sit and watch anything and everything in complete comfort. They always have a massive grand stand set up ring side at the showjumping ring and in shade as well so it always attracts many to come over and have a peek.

Gayle Joyce one of the main organizers does a fine job making sure the surface is perfect , the draws are up and the practice and competition rings are well roped off for safety. There are classes for all levels so you get to see young juniors right up to the top level World Cup horses competing over two days. David Sheppard was a good consistent course builder giving all horses a good chance at jumping well designed courses.

Sarah and Tiffany both started in the South Eastern Equine Hospital 1.05m with LH Johnny and LH Albert and both had one rail each. This was Sarah’s first time starting straight up without a smaller class and has only been in Ring 2 and all show it was to be Ring 1 , so she was very pleased that he felt brave and happy. Tiffany just says Johnny is a star no matter what he does , remembering back to his very first start under saddle in showjumping back in October 2013 in a 65cm class.He has certainly proven one rail here and there is very acceptable. Wes then rode Ulouve BZ in the Berwick Drafting & Design 1.30m and had just two fences , Bolero de la vie was in the Open Circulus Education 1.15m and he jumped clean with one time fault and placed 4th. Wes thought that with him not being able to ride the horses at all during the week since Sale Show which was over 3 weeks ago showed a little bit but he was waiting to see how they would go tomorrow.  Ian and Pat Mouser the owners of Bolero and Uoluve have now moved from Tonimbuk to Bairnsdale to live so the only opportunities Wes would get to ride the horses is at the shows.

 

That night at about 9pm the show put on a great display of fireworks, Wes held Bolero and Lovey and the girls held Albi and Johnny. Sure they all looked up and stared jumped a little but then there was no trouble at all.

The next day was even better because it was a challenge for all of us in the Team Joyce camp. Sarah started LH Albert straight up in the N.A.B 1.10m and she was extremely nervous, she said she was yesterday for the 1.05m but today it was worse. Once the bell rang and they cantered off the nervousness eased because she said Albi felt soft and obliging. His ears were pricked forward the whole way round and Sarah’s beaming smile said it all and as they approached the finish flags you could see success, they had 3 rails down and won the class, well in their eyes!!! Tiffany and LH Johnny jumped a beautiful clean round and were last to go in the jump off of 14 riders. Yes Tiffany had a crack, she went as quick as the pair could travel and finished with the quickest time and 4 faults with the first part of the double down. So they officially placed 7th out of the ribbons but Tiffany could not stop patting her pony and loved every bit of her ride.

Wes was next on Ulouve BZ in the main class the N.A.B 1.35m and she warmed up much better than yesterday. The first part of the course jumped perfectly and on the turn to 7 and 8 she stumbled on the corner and Wes felt they lost momentum and flattened over the two jumps and had them down. But the rest of the course was perfect she composed herself as did Wes and they finished well. The last class of the day was the N.A.B Open 1.25m and Bolero de la Vie proved himself once again and jumped awesome floating through the air with ease. They jumped clean again with just 1 time fault.

What another fantastic weekend, Team Joyce were altogether for the last time for a long time. It is always a great time when your in the moment and then you realize driving away its all done and dusted. We treasure every show and we know there will be more down the track it just seems to be change is sometimes obvious but its still hard to accept. Sarah is taking her LH Albert up to Wagga Wagga this week to start University so having him with her will be a massive treat. Tiffany moves back to Yarra Valley to start Univeristy so its back to just Wes and I . Well until our next blog stay tuned because we have lots to tell and more news coming your way.