Amber Finlay might not be competing at the Gunnedah Show Society’s Showjumping Festival this year but that won’t stop her from being involved.
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The Gunnedah native has show jumping in her veins thanks to her family including dad Robert Witts who is the Gunnedah Show Society president.
Finlay snared a couple wins at last year’s event but, having given birth not long ago, will sit this year out.
Instead, she will turn to assisting in whatever way she can.
“Definitely, I’ll be helping Dad with the organisation and volunteer in any way I can. I know what my dad goes through to organise these sorts of things,” Finlay said.
“Also, I just love horse sport, it’s my passion. I guess I’ve grown up doing it, following my parents.”
Competitors from all over will converge on the Gunnedah Showground for the festival which runs from Friday to Sunday.
There will be three rings of equestrian events running over the three days with participants aged anywhere from 10 up to 70 years of age competing, according to Witts.
Witts said there will be quality show jumping across the three days but if spectators wanted to see the top riders of the event, Witts encouraged them to head down on Sunday.
“Come about lunch time on Sunday and you will see the main events,” Witts said.
“The top competitors will be in ring one in front of the grandstand.”
This year’s event won’t attract as many top riders as usual – Olympian Vicki Roycroft is just one to have made the trip to Gunnedah before – due to a clash with an event in Sydney but there will still be plenty of quality with the surface being a draw-card.
“The showground’s surface is very good for the competitors’ horses – it’s just a good, safe surface,” Witts said.
When not helping out, Finlay will catch an event or two across the weekend with a slight twinge of jealousy as she if not able to be out there herself.
“It’s a bit upsetting [not being able to compete] but hopefully I can get back into it soon,” she said.
“It’s a very special thing to do.
“Gunnedah has amazing show jumping grounds, we’re very lucky to have the ground to hold these events for locals and travellers.
“I love to travel and compete, it’s all very social.
“You meet a lot of people along the way and make a lot of friends.”
Competition will start at 8am on Friday. The start time for Saturday and Sunday is 7.30am and competition will wrap up at 5.30pm on all three days.