Coonabarabran’s North West Equestrian Expo has been run and won for another year.

Rain began to fall as event organisers quickly moved through the final presentation on Tuesday, 8 June, concluding the five-day horse event.

North West Equestrian Expo president, Kevin Sharp said it had all come with a sense of relief following the cancellation of the event last year due to COVID-19.

Mr Sharp said that alone provided some issues with the running of the 2021 event.

“To be fair, we were a little bit rusty because we didn’t hold the event last year,” he said.

“But it was nothing major, and everything ran pretty smoothly really. There were a couple of little issues that will need to be ironed out, but overall it was really good.”

The first day of competition looked bleak, with heavy showers.

But Mr Sharp said it didn’t dampen the spirits of competitors, many of whom were camped at the showground

“It was perfect weather for most of the time after that first day,” he said.

“We had beautiful nights and most people had their camp fires - there was just really good feel about it.”