Horses at the Barraba Show
Tent pegging Barraba show 1986
There have been a lot of changes in the horse section in the Show's 100 year history. Looking at historical articles, the show horses range from £50 to £100, where now thousands of dollars are spent on beautiful horses. Riding costumes are very different and schedules of events are also very different.
In 1927 the PA&H Association had several stewards in different sections. The horse section comprised of P James, T Leehy, F Saunders, C F Carter, & T G Carter. In 1927 events included Jumpers, Pacers, Riders, Hack to be ridden astride, Tandem team over 3 jumps, musical chairs and best horse brought at Flannagans Sale. In 1967 in his President’s report, Laurie White said, “Excellent entries were received in the horses, possibly the best horse show that Barraba has experienced with hacks, ponies, show jumpers and campdrafts of the highest quality. We had many good riders in all in all classes which reflect the tuition received from the Pony Clubs. The ring program was an outstanding exhibit and was capably organized by the Ring Master and his band of stewards, to whom I give thanks”.
Stock Horses have been in the program since 1958. There was 1 class – Best Stock Horse to be led sponsored by MC McKenzie & Son. A two day dressage event was introduced in 1983 and ran up unto 2007. It recommenced in 2011 as part of the Saturday program.
In 1927 the PA&H Association had several stewards in different sections. The horse section comprised of P James, T Leehy, F Saunders, C F Carter, & T G Carter. In 1927 events included Jumpers, Pacers, Riders, Hack to be ridden astride, Tandem team over 3 jumps, musical chairs and best horse brought at Flannagans Sale. In 1967 in his President’s report, Laurie White said, “Excellent entries were received in the horses, possibly the best horse show that Barraba has experienced with hacks, ponies, show jumpers and campdrafts of the highest quality. We had many good riders in all in all classes which reflect the tuition received from the Pony Clubs. The ring program was an outstanding exhibit and was capably organized by the Ring Master and his band of stewards, to whom I give thanks”.
Stock Horses have been in the program since 1958. There was 1 class – Best Stock Horse to be led sponsored by MC McKenzie & Son. A two day dressage event was introduced in 1983 and ran up unto 2007. It recommenced in 2011 as part of the Saturday program.
Jumping into 2011
Photo: NDL.
If we look at the photo from 1946, Bob Grant clears the bar at 6'10" on Half Holiday to win the High Jump. Isn’t it spectacular to see how things have progressed over the years? From large, solid heavily made jumps, low insurance costs, jockey’s uniforms and caps, jumping with no hands and tandem jumping to present day easy to handle and malleable jumps, safety helmets that meet Australian standards, incorporation regulations, high insurance premiums and schedule wording “contestants compete at their own risk”. How things have change over 100 years. The 6 bar jumping competition held on Show Saturday in front of the Grand Stand on the race track, is still an exciting and thrilling spectacle; one not for the faint hearted
Over the years Olympic Jumps stewards including G.H Etheridge, P Capel, Simon Ryan, Ken & Don McCusker, John Whyte, Dave Englefield, Howard Sparke, Lindsay Hagan, Guy Witten, Mick Thrift, Rodger McNeill, Peter Geary, Bill West, Erica Kelly, Anothy Currell (too numerous to list them all) have put tireless hours into making the jump section a great success since its inception. The current Chief Steward Bill West and his team of helpers run a full jumping program at the Show.
Over the years Olympic Jumps stewards including G.H Etheridge, P Capel, Simon Ryan, Ken & Don McCusker, John Whyte, Dave Englefield, Howard Sparke, Lindsay Hagan, Guy Witten, Mick Thrift, Rodger McNeill, Peter Geary, Bill West, Erica Kelly, Anothy Currell (too numerous to list them all) have put tireless hours into making the jump section a great success since its inception. The current Chief Steward Bill West and his team of helpers run a full jumping program at the Show.
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Trotting & Tent Pegging
There was devastation when the trotting was removed from the Show program due to new racing legislations about track standards in 1985. Trotting was introduced to the show in 1962 with G T Horton, N Clayton & A Shearer as Stewards. G Yates, H Pryor, M J Reed and A Mountford were long time Chief Stewards with A Shearer, P Rigby, H Carter, H Eames, H Russell, F Pleffer and G Charlton as stewards during this time. Harold Russell was the trotting starter for many years and the community loved it. The last race was in 1985 and on Sunday 16 February1986 Tent Pegging was a feature in the ring program to help replace the trotting program as a spectator sport for the community. Tent Pegging remained on the program until 1994 with support from stewards Harry Tunnicliff, Ben Engefield, Scott Groth, Peter Geary and Tamworth enthusiasts the Biffin family. Sponsors for the tent pegging were: W W Bucknell, North West Direct Sales, Barraba Shopping Centre, Victoria Hotel & Ferry’s Discount Saddlery. |
Photographs
We have images of horses and riders from over the history of the Show. If you have photographs you would like to contribute or can identify people and horses in these photos we invite you to get in touch.
