Equestrian

The Good Old Days Festival is set to not only break the Australian record for the greatest number of draught horses in harness pulling a wool wagon in 2025 but is also expanding to a three-day event ... Mr Bandy said to harness more than 50 horses would take around two hours and be a spectacle in itself.

Congratulations to Maldon Pony Club, who have been announced as recipients of a grant that they will use to run a Confidence and Connection Camp later in the year ... The Confidence and Connection Camp, which will take place in November, is a chance to get everyone from the club together, forge friendship bonds and strengthen the club community.

Visiting Pony Club members from Horsham and Charlton attended Donald and District’s June rally, held on Sunday the 15th, to complete a gear checking accreditation course facilitated by Linda Gerring from Maryborough.

Sean Cunningham. Victorian raiders were the star turn at the Narrandera Race Club's race meeting on Saturday with Wangaratta-based trainers winning four of the seven races on the card. Jockey Alice Kennedy saluted the judge in the second race with Lightning Lizard ($4) for Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne.

The Melbourne International Three-Day Event at Werribee has again delivered a long weekend of highlights in spades. With a blast of winter weather adding to the challenges of the event, riders who finished in the placings across all classes deserved every inch of the accolades, with many combinations not making it through the cross country course due to the wet and muddy conditions.

A classic and patient ride from Grant Buckley resulted in a dominant victory by A Pound of Salt in the $40,000 Wauchope Cup at Port Macquarie on Sunday. The large crowd was left in awe as the Todd Howlett trained gelding powered down the crown of the track to land the club’s feature from Russian Roni with Annulus working home well to land the minor prize in front of Point Counterpoint.

Sean Cunningham. Narrandera is saddling up for a major milestone soon as those involved with the Narrandera Horse Trials are set to mark 50 years of equestrian excellence with a celebratory function ... Narrandera's status as a regional equestrian hub will be on full display with the Horse Trials expected to attract more than 1000 visitors ...

Peter Hibberd. This is my opinion only – some very big changes are needed in harness racing. Over recent months, with the decrease in prizemoney back to $4,000 per race, one particular club did not get enough nominations to have its meeting, which was surprising as it is one of the biggest harness areas in Victoria. Another case was Charlton last Monday with only enough horses running for six races.

New Queensland Government data shows the state's racing industry now contributes close to $2.5 billion per annum to the State's economy, including a large chunk for the Darling Downs. The findings were according to independent data from research specialists IER.

The Australian thoroughbred breeding industry, the second largest in the world, delivered a solid economic performance in 2022 – 23, contributing $1.68 billion to the national economy and supporting 9,268 full-time equivalent jobs ...

Anyone who banks with the Warwick Credit Union in Allora will know Rae as the friendly young lady who works behind the counter. But did you know that Rae-Louise Wright is also the 2024 Warwick Rodeo Queen?

On Sunday, 11th May, the Allora Showgrounds was a sea of purple as 58 riders and 76 beautifully presented horses gathered to support a truly meaningful cause. Across both Showjumping and Dressage, there was a total of 159 entries. Funds raised went to Protea Place.

There's an old saying, "he's got a good eye for a horse". It means someone is skilled at recognising all-round quality and that undefinable “something” that is a combination of conformation, temperament and suitability for a specific purpose, such as racing or riding. Greg Gerry and Darren Telford, who run Whitmere Stud, certainly know how to do that.

Jacki Baker. The 51st Naracoorte Horse Trials will be held this weekend ... Sylvia Williams-Roberts will design the course, helped by her right-hand man, husband Roger as builder ... She gained FEI level 3 course design accreditation in 2013 and is one of only two women in the world to attain this level.

The 2025 SA State Jumping Championships showcased the diverse showjumping talent in the region. Held across the ANZAC Day weekend at Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant, riders competed in two rings at the Equestrian SA event, culminating in a series of thrilling finales on the final day.

Just under 50 competitors from across Australia and New Zealand gathered at Longwood in Victoria over Easter for the 2025 Australian Combined Driving Championships. The event was hosted by the Longwood Carriage Driving Club on behalf of the Australian Carriage Driving Society and featured some of the best driving talent in the country.

The Riddells Creek Pony Club Easter Horse Trials, held at Candlebark in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, is always one of the most popular events of the season. Established in January 1954, the club is one of the seven founding members of the Pony Club Association of Victoria and has a long history of running quality events for pony club and open riders that want to train young horses over good courses.

Honor Auchinleck. The days, weeks and months have been very full since I received an email from Pat Leary - the inspiration behind the plan to ride the General Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial Foundation's Border Light Horse Trail. Pat wrote "I am looking into the idea of riding in light horse uniform and saddlery along the Australian Light Horse trail starting from Shepparton to Harden and then from Harden back to Tallangatta.

Donald and District Pony Club has seen a much-needed boost in riding memberships this year, increasing almost double in number, with the introduction of four new members to the club ... At its April rally held at the pony club grounds in Donald on Sunday, April 6, the club welcomed new members...

Over 4,000 people poured into the Murrabit football netball ground on Saturday night for the Woodalls Ride Tuff Buckle series final. Attendees travelled from all over Australia for a chance to see the fast-paced rodeo action combined with live music and country clothing vendors.

Corryong was bursting at the seams after visitors began streaming into town from last Monday for the 30th edition of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, breaking all records for camping numbers and crowd attendances.