Gunnedah’s annual showjump festival lost a good chunk from its competitor contingent after last month’s wet weather postponement.
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But they gained one invaluable other in Vicki Roycroft.
The three-time Olympic and World Championship team member has been touring through South-East Asia in recent weeks.
Her tight schedule meant attendance at this year’s Gunnedah event was initially not possible. But with the change of date to this weekend, the signs are looking bright for a Roycroft appearance.
“It’s great she is now able to come,” Gunnedah showjump convenor Rob Witts said.
“She’s a very experienced rider.”
The draw indicates Vicki has two nominations in the Pryde’s Championship, riding Bellhaven Sanskrit and Adeline Des Hayettes.
She also has two in the Rabobank Grand Prix, Congo Z and Bellhaven Jazz.
Overall competitor entries are down from about 180 before the postponement to now about 115.
“We’ve lost a few, people just couldn’t change their holidays,” Witts said.
“But we’ve still got a fair number.”
Part of the problem is that the Gunnedah festival is usually a lead up to the Tamworth ALEC showjump the following week.
The Tamworth event has since finished and many competitors have left the area.
Witts said the postponement was unavoidable with water puddles speckled through the course on the original weekend. But a little rain was never going to force a complete cancellation.
“It’s a good event... and brings some of the top riders in the country,” he said.
“We like to keep it going where ever we can.
“It’s good for the show society and good for the town.”
Some competitors from Queensland and Victoria have already arrived for the three-day Gunnedah event which starts Friday morning and finishes about lunchtime Sunday.