North West Equestrian Expo is done and dusted for another year, as attendees dismount from their camp at the Coonabarabran Showgrounds and trot back into the real world.

“Will it rain?” The most pondered question leading up to Expo. “Does it matter?” Nope!

Coonabarabran Showgrounds and the Racecourse host Australia’s largest and longest running, inter- school equestrian event, whether it rains, hails or shines.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the 2024 event offered one of the warmest experiences for attendees. Despite a few downpours, all events across various disciplines proceeded as planned.

While rain postponed some events, the Coonabarabran Expo Committee was praised for its prompt communication under difficult circumstances.

Each year, Coonabarabran welcomes 100 schools and 450 riders, who camp out to compete in 13 disciplines over five days.

This year, upgrades were made to the cross-country track, the sand- dressage arena and a new wash bay was added.

Coonabarabran Public School also trialled a recycling depot for plastic bottles and cans, as a way to fund-raise for the school and reduce waste throughout the event.

Chairman of the Coonabarabran Expo Committee, Kevin Sharp was grateful to all involved for another successful year of Expo.

“An event of this magnitude requires an enormous number of people. Our head stewards, team managers and volunteers do a magnificent job in coordinating these events,” Mr Sharp said.

“Our aim is to provide an event which offers opportunities for students to develop their riding skills, as well as personal and social skills, which are important to their growth as individuals.

“Our community realises how important this event is in promoting Coonabarabran and the Warrumbungle Shire, and generously supports with sponsorship.”

Every year, Expo attendees are fuelled by the food provided by local eateries and organisations, such as Rotary, who have been feeding riders at Expo since 1994.

This year, Rotary cooked over half a tonne of chips, 80 litres of gravy and over 20 kilograms of rice.

The Coonabarabran Bakery also set up shop at the showgrounds and where they enjoyed the atmosphere and business at Expo.

Coonabarabran was booked out, with most hotels at capacity, and the swell of customers helping keep local businesses afloat during the cooler months.

Despite slightly lower competitor numbers than previous years, most businesses reported a consistently good crowd into town.

Walking through the camps at the showgrounds, one could sense the camaraderie and joy experienced throughout the weekend.

Behind-the-scenes, a student played the bagpipes on his horse, others relaxed by the camp fire, and committee members huddled in the office warmth to ensure each event ran smoothly.

Expo Committee secretary, Rebecca Moxam said due to the amount of rain Expo brings, the safety of riders and horses was paramount.

“There is not much we as a committee haven’t seen and aren’t prepared for. We are a well-oiled team and have a lot of help and expertise from people outside of the area,” Ms Moxam said.

“The number of kids that come up in their last year and tell us how sad they are to not come back, and how it has been a highlight of their riding at school, makes it all worthwhile.”

Although Coonabarabran High School equestrian team did not place in the final ceremony on Tuesday, 4 June, their school spirit remained strong.

New England Girls School (NEGS), Farrer and Calrossy Anglican School dominated the competition results.

NEGS won the trophy for the championship school of four riders and won multiple team disciplines such as team barrels, eventing, dressage, team hunt and more.

Farrer also took home significant trophies such as the Clifton Cup Sporting Team, for the highest scoring team of four riders and the Hirst Family Trophy, for the winning team in the A-Grade polocrosse finals.

Calrossy won the Poole Family Perpetual Shield with the highest scoring four riders and Pip Cullen, from Calrossy, won the overall highest point score in the working horse challenge.

This year, the highest individual point score went to Georgia Maben, a homeschool student from the Hunter Valley, who was only 0.25 points in front of Zoe Willis from Riverina Anglican College.

Overall, the rain failed dampen spirits and the annual event ran as smoothly as possible due to the diligent planning and work by the North West Equestrian Expo committee and volunteers.

IMAGE: All smiles in the grand parade, Scots All Saints College equestrian team personified the fun and camaraderie of North West Equestrian Expo.