More than 120 riders battled it out over the 17km course in A, B and C grades, Ironman, Over 35s, over 45s and Ladies, with some races lasting more than four hours.

There were more than 30 local riders with many locals bringing in the prizes, including Dallas Paine, who took out A Grade with teammate Michael Krump as well as coming out as overall winners.

Paine and Krump took out A Grade with one minute 50 seconds between them and second place.

Riders came from around NSW to participate in the high paced race including riders from Newcastle, Armidale, Tamworth, Crescent Head, Narrabri, Moree and Dubbo.

Other local successes include the team of Kallum McCouat and Jake Ennis-Brown took out first place in B Grade while Bart Tomlinson and Jed Stevens came in third in C Grade.

Local motorcycle shop owners Vince Strang and Mark ‘Turbo’ Turner who took out third and fourth respectively in the Over 45s section.

Greg Taylor came in second in Over 35s and Mick Goater took out third in that section.

Georgia Strang took out second place in the ladies competition, which Inverell Sports Motorcycle Club member and organiser Tony Williamson said was a highlight of the day.

“It was really great to see the ladies competition grow, this is the first year there has been a ladies section and in the first round there was only two or three competitors and in this round there was seven entrants, it was good to see Georgia take a podium position as well.”

The track at Copeton is a mix of tight corners and flat speed sections, which makes for interesting riding.

“The track winds through a lot of trees, we ride below the top water line and it is a good mixture of tight corners and open flurry.”

The Northern Inland Pony Express is a seven round competition, with the first two rounds held at Uralla and Mt Kaputar; the Narrabri Motorcycle Club will host the next round.