Record crowds embraced horse events, dog jumping, sack races and throwing gum boots all in the name of sport this Easter Sunday at the Hermidale Gymkhana.
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Secretary of the Hermidale Gymkhana committee Wendy Robb said it was their best year yet, breaking a number of records including a crowd of more than 400 people.
"It was a great day full of fun, lots of smiles and happy people," Ms Robb said.
"We had a record of 90 horses competing and 42 of them were in the adult division."
"The afternoon was very entertaining, the inter-district competition was a hoot and we had a record number of teams enter," she said.
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"The tug-of war was very competitive, it was a huge day we were still doing things in the dark.
"And everyone was well fed with the canteen and barbecue, and a lot frequented the bar too."
The day began with a number of horse events but overall champion riders were Lil Armstrong (junior girl), Hayden Burley (junior boy), Shannon Williams (senior boy), and Vanessa Barry (senior girl).
The most successful riders for the day were Allie Maclean in the Beryl Robb under 12, Vanessa Barry in the Peter and Mary Dutton 12 and under 17, and Gary Hall in the Ron O'Neill adults category.
In the afternoon events, Jarred Harris won the junior gumboot throw, with Zara Hoare and Charlie Lennon both winning the ladies and men's gumboot throw.
Chris Dutton and Jim took out the small dog jump, with Eve and Cause winning the hunting dog jump. However it was Jet Hall and Gus who won the working dog jump clearing a new record of 2.31 metres.
In the inter-district team challenge - where participants are put through an obstacle course involving a variety of activities - Gus and Keiro took out the senior team prize.
The 'Cobar Crew' won the ladies tug-of-war competition, and the 'Nymagee road' boys took out the men's competition, donating their prize money back to the Hermidale Gymkhana.
Ms Robb thanked their sponsors, committee members and volunteers who all showed their community spirit on Easter Sunday to make the event possible, especially when times were a little tough.
"Even though you had to lift a tractor tyre in the inter-district challenge, it was hair down and a good day off the farm," she said.
"Everyone chipped in, I had kids come out from Nyngan helping out, and strangers I didn't even know helping, everyone just pitched in.
"We'd like to thank our sponsors, and there's a long list of them, but things like this don't happen without their support."
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
