By Rebecca Skilton
The 2017 Berwick Show will be a family affair for the Tynong North Height brothers with 17-year-old Charlie looking to take out the Akoonah Park Stars of the Future title from reigning champion, older brother Max.
The Height brothers, who together made up half the winning junior Victorian team at the 2016 South Australian State showjumping championships, have each compiled a lengthy list of successes with Max earning his way onto the 2016 Hygain Young Rider State Squad and Charlie on the 2016 Hygain Development Squad One for showjumping Victoria.
However, despite their accomplishments, the boys are adamant the brotherly rivalry between them is only used for good – a success for one of the brothers meaning a win for them both.
“I wouldn’t say I look up to (Max),” said Charlie, “but the rivalry between us is encouragement for me to try harder.”
Having turned 18 last year, Max won’t be able to compete in junior classes, leaving such events as the Berwick Show’s Akoonah Park Stars of the Future in the experienced hands of Charlie.
He will, however, be watching from the sidelines.
“Watching the juniors go around now and seeing how competitive they all are shows how tough they have to be to win,” Max said.
“So, knowing that I’ve won the juniors twice is really pleasing.
“(But if Charlie won) I’d feel great because it means that he’s enjoying the same success I did when he was my age.
“Especially for Charlie, seeing as he’s had a few difficult horses lately that haven’t been the easiest rides, so it’d be good for him to have some titles under his belt.”
Having been born into the world of equestrian, both Max and Charlie were introduced to horses at an early age, their younger years seeing them ride and compete for the Nar Nar Goon Pony Club.
As time progressed, the brothers transitioned into the world of showjumping, with older brother Max leading the way.
“Mum was a (competitive show rider), but she was also a horse re-trainer,” Max said.
“Often we’d get people dropping horses off and wanting you to train them and sell them.
“(Ex-hawthorn player) Don Scott came one day with one of his showjumpers and mum asked if I wanted to jump on his horse.
“I was pretty young, but I got on and started jumping and, basically, it went from there.
“After Don saw me struggling around the 70 and 80 centimetre classes, he said to come over and he’d give me a few lessons,” Max said.
“He gave me one of his horses, Snow Spider, and from there I started learning what show jumping was all about.”
While Snow Spider went on to successfully compete with both brothers, at this year’s Berwick Show Max can be spotted riding Snow Hawk, his 17.2-hand Clydesdale, while Charlie will be competing on his 16-hand thoroughbred Oaklea Doaklea.
“The Berwick Show is really good (for showjumpers) because it’s not on the main oval,” Max said.
“Some showjumpers’ horses can be really spooky so they won’t start them at agriculture shows because of all the rides.
“So, Berwick can be really good (for younger, less experienced horses) because it’s on a different arena – so it’s more inviting for them, I guess.”
While Charlie will be chasing the Akoonah Park Stars of the future title, the brothers aren’t allowing themselves to become too distracted, having their eyes firmly set on the future.
“If (Snow Hawk and I) keep going on the right path, we can start jumping mini prix which is about one metre and forty centimetres,” Max said
“If he jumps and mini prix clear one day, I’ll be over the moon… that’s the ultimate goal.”
While Max is also endeavouring to eventually work and ride overseas, Charlie hopes to stay a little closer to home before extending his reach.
“I would say my main goal would be to one day travel Australia doing the World Cup qualifiers,” Charlie said.
“(And then) maybe one day work or ride overseas.”
The Akoonah Park Stars of the Future will take place on Saturday 25 February.
Max and Snow Hawk will be appearing in the one metre 10 and one metre 20 classes, while Charlie and Oaklea Doaklea will ride in the one metre 10, 15, and 20 classes.
The showjumping classes at the Berwick Show will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
