February in Canberra heralds the return of one of the region’s favourite family events, the Royal Canberra Show. This year’s Show takes over Exhibition Park on 24-26 February for three exciting and fun-filled days.

The feeling of being at the Show is unlike any other; spirits are high, bright colours and smiling faces meet you at every turn. You can spend your time mingling with barnyard babes in the nursery, watching feats of animal and human endurance in the main arena, trying your luck at a game, or thrill seeking on one of the wild rides. There is something for everyone in the Show’s carefully curated program.

“We’re always looking for new entertainment, things that are relevant to the agricultural aspects of things and entertainment,” says Rick Jones, President of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society (RNCAS).

Mr Jones says the pig racing is always a popular one with the children, as are the fireworks and the sideshow alley rides. Across the weekend, there will be a number of crowd drawing events including the lawnmower races, motocross stunt driving, tent pegging and the animal displays. Learn how to milk a cow, shear a sheep, and how to train a horse for movie roles. It is the horses that hold a special place in Mr Jones’s heart.

“My mother was a racehorse trainer, we had racehorses, I rode from the time I was born. My grandfather and my whole family have been into it all their lives and Ms Bensley [daughter] and my grandkids are the next generations doing it,” he says.

Throughout his career in the penal system, spending time as the Governor of Goulburn Jail, Mr Jones also kept the horse business thriving. He has bred, reared, trained and shown horses, getting them to the point where he has been on movie sets like Pirates of the Caribbean, guiding stunt horses.

From being a councillor to member of the RNCAS board, to president, Mr Jones decided it was best to spend his time focusing on making the Show a great family event, which meant handing the reins to his daughter, Melissa Bensley.

“I always said when I retired, I would put a bit back in. Everybody has put Shows on over the years for me to attend, so I thought, well, it’s time I did the same,” he says.

While they own different breed of horses, Mr Jones and now his daughter and son-in-law are known for their English Hackney horses. They own and operate Cherry Farm Hackney Stud, a horse-drawn carriage service where they breed and show the endangered horses.  He says there are now fewer than 400 of the striking creatures in the world. Originally bred in the 1700s as a roadster, they were the equivalent of a top of the range sportscar today, with a fast trot and regal stance that turned heads.

Ms Bensley will be entering in the carriage driving event at this year’s Royal Canberra Show with one of their horse and buggy combinations. They own over 100 horse-drawn vehicles, some of which are centuries old, while others have been recreated from vintage designs. Helping with restorations is Mr Jones’s good friend, Neil Wilson, a coachbuilder and wheelwright.

Joining Ms Bensley for the Show is their English Hackney stallion, Alarick. At 23 years old, he has been their go-to breeding stud for the past two decades. Standing at 14.2 hands and with perfect poise, he has won supreme champion at most of the royal shows around the country.

Fittingly, his name means ruler of everything. He is the apple of Ms Bensley’s eye as well as being full of personality and like a member of the family, according to Mr Jones.

“He has a mirror in the stall, he loves his mirror … or he wants to be with you all the time, he is just that sort of horse,” smiles Mr Jones.

Catch Alarick strut his stuff along with hundreds of other horses over the weekend, in displays of elegance, athleticism, and a stunning parade.

Head to sideshow alley and jump on one of the wild rides – the Hurricane, Dark Ride the ghost train, and Freak Out are recommended for the thrill seeker. Do a spot of showbag shopping at the Leisure and Lifestyle Pavilion, find a new hobby at the Craft Expo, or learn more about horticulture and produce at Harvest Hall.

Once you have worked up an appetite, head over to Capital Brewing Beer Garden, Family Food Court, Hearty Choice Food Court, or grab a dagwood dog from one of the food vans.

Pre-purchase your tickets online via canberrashow.org.au to qualify for free public transport to and from the Show in the ACT.

Bring the family for a day of fun at the Royal Canberra Show at Exhibition Park, 24-26 February. Find more information in the four-page pull-out guide inside this week’s magazine.

• Jessica Cordwell