The Junee Prime Lamb sponsored REA Horse Trials at Narrandera over the weekend of 9-10 August at the Narrandera Pony Club grounds are set to mark 50 years of equestrian excellence with more than 250 entries, a new record for the event.

These include Shenae Lowings entered on three up and coming young horses along with Sam Woods, a rider in contention for the Australian world championship team next year.

Shenae was the reserve rider for Paris and called into the final phase when an Australian team horse went lame.

Sam Woods did the double whammy at the Sydney International Three Day Event, winning the Kohnke’s Own CCI4*-L and taking the special prize sponsored by the Victoria Racing Club for the best performed thoroughbred in the class.

It was the biggest win of the rider’s biggest career win so far with Sam and the 16-year-old thoroughbred Cage Fighter moving into third place after the cross country with the second fastest cross country round of the class. Andrew Cooper rode Omega Star to second place and Hayley Frielick’s Dunedin Black Watch was third.

This was Sam’s first CCI4-L and he is now qualified for the CCI5 at the Australian International Three Day Event at the end of the year, which is the next big goal.

Sam works for Shane and Niki Rose at Bimbadeen Park, where he is heavily involved with the thoroughbred pre-training side of the business, so it was fitting that he also won the special $1000 prizemoney, a Kennedy Oaks Day 2021 hospitality package and presentation rug provided by the Victoria Racing Club.

Narrandera Horse Trials 2025 will mark 50 years of equestrian excellence with a celebratory function at the Narrandera Race Club on Saturday 9 August.

One of regional NSW’s most respected horse trials competitions, the annual event attracts riders, officials and spectators from throughout Australia.

Hunter Doughty, a member of the Riverina Equestrian Association (REA) Horse Trials Narrandera organising committee and showjumping course designer, said the golden jubilee would be a time to reflect on the event’s proud history and toast the multitude of people who have helped shape the club over five decades.

“The anniversary celebration will be more than just speeches and sipping champagne,” he said. Historical displays featuring decades-old newspaper and magazine articles from the past will be on display, offering guests a chance to stroll down memory lane as the club showcases its rich and lasting legacy.

“We are expecting up to 100 people who have helped the club to get to where it is today to gather and tell tales about the club and their involvement,” Hunter said.

He also mentioned another recent accolade for the group when club graduate, Andrew Cooper, now based in Queensland, landed in Germany to represent Australia in eventing at Aachen at the World Equestrian Festival in early July.

Narrandera’s status as a regional equestrian hub will be on full display over the weekend with the Horse Trials expected to attract more than 1000 visitors to the Pony Club and Rodeo Grounds, which Hunter described as a training ground for future talent.

Some of the finest equestrians from across the country compete in the two-day showcase of dressage, show jumping and thrilling cross-country disciplines.

The event is designed for riders ranging from grassroots to elite and has included a designated area for spectators, on site catering and some thrilling equine action during previous trials.

It also boosts the town’s economy with the influx of visitors and competitors.

Based on sports research and commissioned tourist impact studies by NSW Tourism, families and spectators spend an estimated $120,000 at each of the previous events.

As the countdown to this year’s Trials begins, it’s clear the event is galloping into the future at full stride, providing a great opportunity for the less experienced riders to rub shoulders with the best in the country.

This article appeared in Narrandera Argus, 7 August 2025.