Rutherglen Show identity Tony Jones will be again commentating on the dog jumping, ferret racing and pet animals this Sunday.
Rutherglen Agricultural Society’s 134th Show this Sunday will have plenty for all showgoers due to a hard-working show committee and involvement by the community.
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Not long ago, the show was on its knees. “What Greg and Kay Lumby (Show President and Organiser) have achieved, especially since Covid is amazing,” long-time participant in the annual show, Tony Jones (pictured above commentating) told The Free Press.
“They have picked it up and really given it a future. Greg and Kay worked extremely hard to get things going, they recruited a new committee, introduced new ideas and are never frightened to do work themselves.”
Ferret racing will again be a popular event.
Mr Jones is, of course, the highly regarded show dog jump commentator. The event has only been running for a few years but now has a tremendous following with not only a large crowd watching the action but many local dogs participating.
“The Dog Jump itself was made by local show stalwart John Williams, who only died two weeks ago,” Tony said.
The dog jumping always attracts good entries and a large crowd.
“John is the brains behind the event, as he was for many attractions at the Rutherglen Show. Our winning dogs jump over two metres with the potential for our jump to go to three metres.
“It has been my pleasure to commentate the event since its inception. Last year not only was the watching crowd large, but they were also very vocal.”
Prior to the inception of the Dog Jump a very successful ferret race was conducted.
Several local ferrets are brought along to the Pet Parade tent. Several heats are run and the winner is crowned following a four-ferret final.
The ferrets race through an obstacle course designed by local character and Rutherglen icon Brendan (Fox) Smith.
The ferrets race through agi pipe, over jumps, round several bends and see saws before emerging from the agi pipe to their waiting handlers.
Tony commentates that as well. “Depending on numbers the ferrets will be on again this year,” he said.
The time-honoured Jack O’Keefe Memorial Pet Show is held around lunchtime every year.
Cats, dogs, chooks, calves, sheep, birds and any other unusual pet compete for animal treats and the red and blue ribbons.
“Again, it’s always a good crowd with mums, dads and grandparents taking lots of photos,” the event commentator extraordinaire said.
“I am tasked with describing the prettiest pet, most unusual pet, most obedient pet, biggest pet, smallest pet and any other category we can think of on the day.”
The whole Jones family is involved with the Rutherglen Show, with Tony and son Tim entering some farm produce; in years past the lamb hoof and carcass competition was a highlight for the pair. Wife Lucinda is heavily involved in the pavilion exhibits and most daughters will enter some craft.
“My granddaughters will be entering for the first time – in the pet rock and painted rock section,” Tony said.
“There’s just so much to see at the Rutherglen Show.”
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