Joseph

Joe came from Bathurst, NSW. He was bred by Newhaven Park Stud, and raced (very successfully!) under the name "Turf Tempo". He was 16.05hh and 11 years old when he arrived in our paddocks.


When we travelled out to Bathurst to pick Joe up, after having been out there to ride him twice, our 4WD kept overheating trying to get over the Blue Mountains. I was so disappointed when we had to turn back! As a nice surprise, my mum arranged for him to be trucked to Sydney one day while I was at school! I remember Mum telling me about when she rang Joe's previous owners during that day to make sure that everything had gone well; she spoke to the 14 yr old girl who was sobbing uncontrollably "Joey's gone! He's gone!" - Mum thought he had died in his paddock!


Joe became well-known at our pony club for doing so well in everything. I could whiz around 90cm showjumps, and then my younger brother could climb on and be carried with utmost care around the 30cm course at a gentle trot!


Joe gave many people their first experience of riding a horse. Arguably one of his best traits was to remain cantering calmly in a straight line, gradually slowing down, as my dad did "trick riding" in (and out of!) the saddle.

Our competition history

I owned Joe for 8 years. Over that time we competed in every discipline we could! We joined Glenorie Pony Club when I was 13 yrs old, and I used to ride along the main road to get to rally days!


Some of our more major results include:

  • Undefeated in Child's Hack, Lady's Hack, Educated Hack, Pleasure Hack and turnout classes at Ag Shows and local gymkhanas
  • Kellyville Riding Club Gymkhana (1997)- Champion Hack
  • Hawkesbury One Day Event (Introductory) (1997)- 1st
  • Northside Riding Club Dressage, Official Medium 4.2 (2003)- 2nd
  • Glenorie Pony Club (2001)- Mistley Grange Dressage Trophy
  • Arndell Interschool Gymkhana (1997) - Champion Rider
  • Valentine's Day Show (2002) - Champion Hack & Rider - Champion overall pointscore
  • Zone 26 Jamboree (2002) - 1st Pony Club Mount, 1st Rider 17-20yrs
  • St Ives Twilight Show (2001) - 1st Novice Lady Rider, 1st Open Lady Rider, Reserve Champion Adult Rider
  • NSW Amateur Show (2000?) - Champion Hack
  • Penrith Show Dressage, Elementary 3.1 (2001) - 1st
  • Penrith Show (2002) - 1st Show Hunter Hack
  • Spurway One Day Event (Intro - 1997) - 4th
  • Kellyville Riding Club ODE (Encourager - 1997) - 3rd
  • Glenorie PC ODE (E grade - 1997) - 1st

Where is he now?

Tragically, just 2 weeks after his 18th birthday, Joe suddenly became very sick and had to be put to sleep. This was just a couple of weeks out from our first attempt at an Advanced Dressage test.

Photos