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By: Trish Joyce
Photographs subject to copyright
How can one drive past their local show? Team Joyce has always supported their local shows and love going. These shows are always good fun and all the local volunteers put in many hours volunteering their skills and labour to make it all happen for the township. Korumburra is a slow growing town but still attracts many tourists to the Coal Creek Historical Village. The Korumburra Agricultural Society ran the 119th show on the weekend, now the showjumping section is held in November each year and all the other sections are in the month of February. Sarah is home from university and decided she wanted to try hacking on her LH Albert. The side shows and rides are right alongside the arena which can always be the deciding factor as to whether a rider takes their show pony/hack for a day out of competition. We decided the worst case scenario was that if LH Albert became upset we would pack up and come home. Team Joyce have only had Albert for nearly twelve months and we are still not quite sure if he likes or dislikes everything yet, it takes at least 2-3 years for a rider to get to know their antics inside and out. We entered only five classes and sorted some extra gear to dress him up for the event. We only brought a new brow band and went through our old show gear from the olden days when we used to hack quite a bit to source a bridle and numnah.
Sarah and I washed and plaited the Friday night and kept him in a stable for the night. The next morning he loaded easily and tied up patiently to have the last few touch ups done. His whole attitude so far was making us feel relaxed and thinking it was going to be a nice day.
 
 
arriving ready to make up, buffing the boots, plaiting the tail, painting the hooves, off we go!
The first couple of classes were the usual ones of Best on Parade and Led etc…..LH Albert took to the work outs like a duck to water. Sure other hacks looked a lot flashier and looked to whole part with double bridles and the riders were decked out in the most stunning attire they deserved the winnings and champions they were awarded. Sarah and LH Albert placed in every class and some classes placed 3rd out of three riders and even won a class being the only entrant, but to watch the pair ride around looking happy, calm, collected and even improving the rhythm of the extended trot brought a smile to my dial!
Sarah, champion hunter with judge Cameron Waugh, great day out
Showing is a tough gig and the judges seemed to share the ribbons around nicely which is always good to see, it’s a tough pill to swallow when one rider thinks they looked or rode better than the person who was chosen as the blue ribbon winner. But at the end of the day you can only do your best as we have said on many blogs previous as in showjumping you can only go as quick as you and your horse can go. If you’re the cleanest and fastest you will be deemed the winner, so in hacking if you are the most pleasing to the judge you shall win their personal opinion, you cannot try to work out why just take it when you get a win and if you do not don’t dwell on it keep going keep entering your time to shine will come. Sarah and Albert’s time to shine did come, they took out two champions and a reserve champion and a few other placing’s as well. It was a fabulous day the ribbons do help with the feeling of success, but also our win was knowing our Albi did not get upset or unnerved at the side shows, he did not mind other horses flying past or spooking in front of him. Sarah felt she could do a work out and even get good extension now and then. By the last class at around 1pm Albert walked casually back on a long loose rein with his ears pricked showing all signs of contentment. Even Sarah could not stop smiling and hugging her trusty steed, what a great day she said, what a great day mum, thanks!
Sarah and Albert with the day's winnings
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