SPECIAL GUEST AT THIS YEAR’S BELLINGEN SHOW
We are very privileged this year to have a former resident of Bellingen, Joyce Brook open the 2013 Bellingen Show. Joyce, now aged 90, and her late husband Bob lived in the valley for almost 40 years with their three children before moving to Sydney in 1963. Joyce was a regular competitor in equestrian sports at a young age and in the 1950’s was instrumental in forming the Bellinger River Pony Club – one of the early pony clubs in NSW. She then went on to promote the Pony Club movement throughout the mid north coast and was in one of the early groups of people to be accredited as a Pony Club instructor in NSW. They both regularly officiated nationally at royal shows, horse trials and showjumping events at all levels and have been recognised for many awards for their contribution to showjumping and eventing. Joyce has also helped train new judges and scorers while Bob trained and helped many aspiring course builders. In May 2012 both Joyce and Bob were inducted into the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame for their exceptional contribution to the equestrian world in Australia.
Joyce will open the show at 2.00pm on Saturday. After the opening and grand parade the Bellingen Show will be honouring Bob in the Bob Brook Grand Prix and Joyce has kindly offered to judge this showjumping event. In recognition of her work in forming the Bellinger River Pony Club back in the 1950’s, we have asked her to award the Shannon Memorial Trophy – a special trophy for the best presented Bellingen Pony Club horse and rider.
So it’s time to brush off those riding jackets, groom those horses and get ready for the horse events at the Bellingen Show to be held 4 and 5 May at the showground. Two full days of classes are scheduled with Saturday for the led breed classes, pony club classes and showjumping all day. This year we are showcasing Australian Riding Ponies as a breed and there will be information available for those interested in learning more about this breed. Showjumping on Saturday will range in height from 75 cm classes to 110 cms. On Sunday there are hack and rider classes and showjumping from 60 cm to 90 cms giving all levels of experience an opportunity to jump.
We look forward to seeing our seasoned competitors and welcoming new ones to this year’s Bellingen Show.
For all information regarding the show please go to www.bellingenshow.com.au. You can download the Horse Schedule and also Stabling and Camping forms. For any enquiries regarding the horse section please call Pattie Hoschke on 66552000 or Elaine Leader on 66558666.
