Opinions of others

It has taken many years and Team Joyce take pride in ourselves to be able to go back over many years and bring forward the various opinions of others in regards to the Lals Haven Warmbloods Performance horses that have been purchased. Many sellers never cross paths….

We have decided to bring once a month  an update on many of the  SOLD Lals Haven Warmblood horses. We want to hear the opinions of others – are they happy – what have they done- where are they going- what do they hope to achieve ….stay tuned for June’s online chat !

Rider Chat 2 – Tuesday 16th Aug Lals Haven Warmbloods Facebook Page

Stephen Valentine & Joel Raglus

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – Hi Stephen Valentine & Joel : Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. May we ask how long have you had LH Mr Percvial?

Stephen & Joel – Mr Percival arrived in March after viewing him in late Feb.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – We understand that you ride horses for an owner/ please can you tell us who this is and where you are located?

Stephen & Joel – We are located about 40mins north of Melbourne Airport at Pyalong on a 2000 acre beef property set amongst the granite hills.The property and horses are owned by Mr Will Burrell.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s –What is the property like where you ride/ do you have many facilities?

Stephen & Joel – The property is rather picturesque with views of the ranges and amazing granite hills. The horse facilities are continuing to grow each year. We currently have 6 day/holding yards, three stables, seven main horse paddocks with larger spelling paddocks across the farm. The latest improvement is the new 33 x 72mtr ménage. The property also allows us to jump wherever between paddocks as the property is set up for hunting.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – How many horses would you ride in a day?

Stephen & Joel –  Currently only riding four. Two for Will and my own two later in the day. A normal day during the hunt season we would normally have up to eight in full work for the hunting stable. This season we are concentrating on our young horses hence the number of horses in work.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s –  What sort of discipline do you like to do?

Stephen & Joel –  We are predominantly a hunting stable which requires the horses to be jumpers. Dressage/showing is my forte but since I’ve been hunting the jumping bug is hard to drop.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – Who are your instructors and how often do you have lessons?

Stephen & Joel –   Lessons vary due to time and availability. This year John Francis has been helping me with my dressage which has been fantastic but due to other work commitments lessons aren’t as often as hoped. Jumping lessons are when I can get them as. Robert Agnew is our farrier and I always pick his brains for advice with each of the horses. Andrew James has also been instrumental over the past 12 months as my Hunt coach. Without the help from these people I’d be lost at times as we are constantly learning.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s –Sounds like you have a lot of great support. Can you tell us what was it about LH Mr Percival that drew your attention to come and try him?

Stephen & Joel – We noticed the advert and I forwarded it to Will. We like the horses over 17hh purely due to the height of both Will and I. As Percy was only five he gave us the opportunity to produce a young horse through the hunt stable to replace the older horses as they retire. Jumping ability, size and temperament are what we look for.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – Please tell us honestly how is he going? Have you been out to any competitions?

Stephen & Joel –  Honestly he’s going superbly amazing. He’s so trainable and just keeps on showing us his potential. Competitions…. Everybody when they see him are simply transfixed by his sheer size yet he’s so gentle.
His first outing was a jumping day and his first time ever over a cross country course. He took to it like a duck out of water. We the trekked down to Warragul to a dressage day where it was a learning curve for both horse and rider.
We’ve done a couple of combined training days and most recently the Oaklands Hunter Show.
Placing 2nd against the older more seasoned horses in the middleweight was simply outstanding. He held his own not only in the flat classes but also in the jumping. We are now focusing on the Royal Melbourne Show where he will compete for the Oaklands Hunt Club.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – My gosh you have been busy’ sounds fabulous’ we are stoked to read all this How does LH Mr Percival like to hunt & what does he think of the hounds?

Stephen & Joel – His first day with the hounds was here at home at a training weekend held by the hunt club. He was so interested in them letting them lick his nose and run underneath him. He’s fantastic out hunting with exceptional manners for a young green horse in its first season. He’s always watching the hounds and knows when asked to do a job he goes without question. So far over the last five seasons he’s the easiest horse I’ve introduced to hunting. I suppose he’s always looking for the next jump too, lol

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – So in a nutshell what are you hopes and your future plans with LH Mr Percival?

Stephen & Joel –Plans for the future….
This year we are aiming at doing well at Melbourne Royal, from there we will plan to do the Hunting Exhibition at Equitana in November. After that not too sure as I’m sure he will be needing a well earned rest. As the old saying goes If youdon’t aim high you won’t get there. It’d be nice next year to have him jump in the 6yo class at Jumping with the Stars but one can only hope we get there.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s – This has been a fabulous chat Stephent and Joel thank you so much for taking the time to complete it. Team Joyce look so forward to going to Melb Royal and cheer you on from the grand stand. Good luck stay in touch see you soon !!

Stephen & Joel – It’s been great to chat to you guys too. Both Joeland I hope to see you at Melbourne too.

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Rider Chat 1- Tuesday 31st May  Lals Haven Warmbloods Facebook Page

Welcome Narelle McFee & Wendy Orchard to our first Live Chat Online where you inform us how you are going with 4 yo LH Rhonda. A Warmblood mare ( Team Joyce ) Lals Haven broke & bred.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

What sort of horse were you looking for when you saw the advertisement for LH Rhonda?

Narelle McFee

I was primarily looking for a horse with a good temperament and ability to jump. Around the 16 hand mark (I’m only a shorty) and between 4-8 years of age. Ideally I wanted a jumping bred horse. I’d been looking at ads for about 6 months but was happy to wait for the ‘right’ horse.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Hi how long have you been riding and what is your favourite discipline?

Narelle McFee

I think I sat on a horse before I could walk! I’ve been competing since about age 8. I’ve done a bit of everything through PC& EA over the years but have focused on Eventing and Showjumping since my teens.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Narelle – Where you nervous hoping on LH Rhonda for the first time here at LHWS?

Narelle McFee

Ah but I decided I better not have a stiff drink before riding a strange horse! I was nervous yes, you’ve always got to be wary getting on a horse you don’t know. These concerns quickly disappeared when I saw how calmly she stood for Wes to mount and ride to the arena on what was a pretty awful day weather wise!

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

How would you say your first ride went / easy to ride / obliging / ?

Narelle McFee

My first ride on Rhonda was great. She was typical of a green horse but I could feel her responding calmly and sensibly to my aids. I also jumped her about 80cm on the day. Now I hadn’t jumped ANY jumps (even on my own horses) since December due to having major knee surgery before Xmas, so to be able to hop on and feel safe enough to have a jump was a pretty big tick for her!

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Wendy –( which is Narelle’s mum ) What was your first impression of LH Rhonda when you both visited Lals Haven Warmbloods Stud – clean / easy to handle ?

Wendy Orchard

My first Impression was how I had hoped she would be. Calm….rock steady temperament and good feet. smile emoticon I always start at the Feet…no foot no horse. smile emoticon I then worked my way up her legs which were clean and with no scars….A young horse with scars always makes me very wary….accident prone!!

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Narelle – You then came back with your long-time coach Christine Stephens to obtain a second opinion- how do you feel LH Rhonda went on this ride?

Narelle McFee

I’d shown Christine a 15 second video of our first ride and her comment was “that’s your horse” but I wanted an ‘in person’ objective opinion from someone who I respect a lot and has trained a lot of young horses. Again the weather was pretty bad for the second ride but Rhonda didn’t feel much different.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Wendy- It seemed to be a joint decision to make that final call and buy LH Rhonda. You took her to Christine’s property to make it easier for Narelle to have some lessons every day to make sure the first few rides were well supported. Please tell us in your words how you think LH Rhonda handled her new surrounds?

Wendy Orchard

Yes it was kind of a joint decision…as I go to most events with Narelle it was important that I too felt confident and able to handle her too. I feel so confident with her that Id like to have a ride on her too!! Yes I floated her home and she didn’t put a foot wrong. Walked straight on the float and never felt her move…down that twisty road from Korumburra! At one stage Narelle said…”are you sure we have her still”? She went to Christine’s as it was easier for Narelle not to have to cope with floating her on her own for the first few days..and we needed time to set up a paddock for her. Rhonda didn’t care one bit where she was so long as there was food!!

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Narelle- Ok so after 5 days at Christine Stephens place LH Rhonda is now with you at your property and you’re having some flat and jumping lessons how are they going to date ?

Please tell us all what your hopes- dreams and plans are for your future with LH Rhonda-

Narelle McFee

For now I’m going to enjoy getting to know her. Short term I want to do some work on her dressage and strength. Winter Freshman’s and some low level HRCAV stuff to build our relationship. Maybe some young horse SJ & Eventing next year, I’ve never done any of that. As a 5 year old she is still eligible for the young horse Eventing at Melbourne Three Day Event in 2017. Eventually I’d like to jump around Amateur class at the big SJ shows and get back into Eventing.

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

This sounds ideal for a youngster. Team Joyce wish you all the very best Narelle McFee stay in touch !

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Thank you Narelle McFee & Wendy Orchard for your time tonight please stay in touch as Team Joyce always want to know how all our Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s Performance horses are going. Good luck in all you choose to do ! Bye for now

Narelle McFee

You’re welcome. Thank you for allowing me to purchase Rhonda and for your ongoing support. She is a special mare and I’m sure we’ll have heaps of fun. Her and Lilly will have to have a catch up trail ride sometime!

Lals Haven Warmbloods Joyce’s

Oh’ yes please a trail ride would be awesome’ Lil star would love it, they are very fond of each other. I look forward to hearing from you Narelle McFee