It’s a far cry from the showground’s dusty surfaces and cramped parking for competitors.
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And riders happily saddled up gleaming mounts for the new show horse event at Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre on Sunday, September 17.
It’s the first time the Albury Show Society has moved its equestrian events off-site and to a separate date from the annual show.
Show society president Haydn Shipard said the new format attracted a “magnificent turnout” with at least 100 riders and up to 300 horses enjoying spectacular spring weather on the pristine grounds.
Mr Shipard said the move was all about offering horse-friendly facilities.
“The equestrian centre offered competitors superior surfaces and expansive parking and camping options,” he said.
“Also by moving the horse event forward by six weeks, the show is more valuable in terms of gaining qualifying points for royal shows.”
The feedback from the inaugural event has been positive and the committee hopes next year will be bigger and better, according to Mr Shipard.
“We had at least 90 trucks through the gate and we haven’t seen numbers like that in years,” he said.
“It could grow to become a two-day event in the future.”
- The Albury Show, in its 160th year, is being held on November 3 & 4, 2017.