However, the numbers in the main event – the RW Hyem Memorial Prize – made it all the more better.

“It’s always been a popular event but we had a couple more competitors this year,” co-convener Kath Wilkinson said.

“That included the winner, Katie Laurie from Armidale.”

The riders all had the chance to ride on the “wonderful” surface at the showground.

Wilkinson said it was the best she’d seen it for a long time.

“The council did the most wonderful job preparing the ground,” Wilkinson said.

“It’s better than it has been for many, many years.

“The council staff must have put a lot of hours making sure it was right.”

Wilkinson said the condition of the track could see more people enter in years to come.

“The word will get around most competitors and we expect more competitors in coming years,” she said.

Wilkinson even competed in an event herself.

After helping Dixie Walker organise the dressage, Wilkinson thought she’d compete for the first time in 12 years.

“I didn’t win and I didn’t cover myself in glory but I enjoyed it and might do it again,” she said.

Wilkinson also wished Walker all the best after the long-serving show society volunteer broke her ankle.

”She works so hard. She just continues to do so much work and helps out so much,” Wilkinson said.

The next big showjumping event the Gunnedah Show Society will focus on is the Winter Showjumping Festival on July 13-15.

“We’ll have an international course builder at the showjumping festival,” Wilkinson said.

“We’re expecting people with the better horses to travel to be able to compete on the course.”