The event attracted 60 riders from around the region for a day of hot weather and even hotter competition.

Participating riders came from pony clubs at Emmaville, Tenterfield, Gum Flat, Glen Innes, Inverell, Bundarra and Guyra, and school team riders from  Macintyre High, Ross Hill, Gum Flat, Mingoola,  Texas, Glen Innes Public and High School and Bingara Central School.

A new alliance with Inverell Pony Club was beneficial for the running of the day, and in a change to the traditional format of interschool events, riders were able to represent either their school or their local pony club. 

This allowed students whose schools were not attending to participate on the day and added an extra element of competition.  

Riders and their loyal steeds tested their abilities across a range of events including a school and club march past, hack and rider classes and a variety of sporting events.  

Everyone had a great day with every rider winning at least one ribbon throughout the course of the day.  

When the day came to a close, the hot and dusty crowd congregated in the grandstand for unmounted presentation, where those who performed particularly well were awarded champion sashes and trophies.  

Macintyre High School’s team were the gallant recipients of the overall highest scoring school with an impressive 500 points, with Inverell Pony Club taking out their division with 410 points.  

The list of results demonstrated the strength of competition and the excellent effort by Macintyre High School’s riders.

Major sponsors Smith & Sons New England North helped enable the day to run and there were generous donations made toward the raffle on the day.  Funds raised on the day will go toward equipment for the school team to use in future competition.

A wonderful canteen was operated on the day by Mrs Schroder and Mrs Gilhome, along with their incredible student helpers.  

The canteen proceeds will go toward fundraising efforts for year 9’s snow excursion in 2016. 

Those students and parents who donated their time and delicious baked goods made a great contribution to the success of the canteen for the day.   

Thank you also to Mrs Sinclair, Mrs George, Mr Ryan, Mrs Kimmince and Mrs White for their assistance and support around the showgrounds.

Click HERE to see a gallery of the Horse Sports Event Day.