MORE than 70 riders from across the country descended on the Gunnedah Showgrounds for the Australian Hunter Horse Association’s national show over the weekend.
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The action packed weekend saw more than 120 horses judged on key show hunter criteria and allowed a chance for both horses and riders to qualify for next year’s Welsh International event in Sydney.
The event even boasted an international flavour with some of the sport’s best judges from the United Kingdom on-hand to oversee the field of riders.
While the event’s major prize was claimed by a Queensland entrant, association president Charles Dunkley said several local riders impressed throughout the weekend.
“I think it was really pleasing to have a blend of local and interstate entries,” Dunkley said.
“There were some unbelievable horses there and the winner from Queensland was very deserving.
“However, local riders such as Libby Guest, Brooke Edmondson and Bronte Snow really impressed.
“They and their horses really put in some awesome performances and took home some great rewards.”
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The weekend’s show was the first time the association has hosted a national show in a rural area.
“To be honest the conditions at the Gunnedah Showgrounds are some of the best in the state,” Dunkley said.
“Gunnedah Shire Council and the Gunnedah Show Society deserve so much credit and applause for helping put this together.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of councils and show societies during my time with the association, but these guys were easily the best.
“Nothing was a problem, they really went above and beyond to ensure the grounds were unbelievably good, and everyone was left really happy.
“Truly they helped make this an unreal show all around.”
Dunkley said it was likely Gunnedah would host future shows based on the success of this year’s event.
“The big thing for us was getting the confidence of our members back,” he said.
“We needed to make them feel confident we could put together a really good show and I think we did that.
“Now that confidence is back I think we will continue to grow and these events will get bigger and bigger.
“At the moment we are unsure exactly where next year’s national show will be, it could be in Sydney.
“But I’m confident that even if it isn’t a national show, we will be holding a show either in Gunnedah or somewhere else in the North West next year.”