Hermidale Gymkhana

Originally published in The Nyngan Weekly

The annual Hermidale Gymkhana was held on Easter Sunday, and after a year off due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was as successful as ever.

As always, the day began with the riding events, with more than 70 horses competing in a selection of events. Riders travelled from as far as Dubbo to compete, with some competitors as young as six.

Event organiser and horse trainer Rodney Robb said the committee couldn’t be happier with how the day went.

After COVID-19 prevented them from running the 2020 Gymkhana Mr Robb said he was glad to have the event back and to see the community back together for an enjoy- able and affordable Easter day.

“We always have people ask us, ‘why don’t you charge people to get in?’ People have only got so much money, so we make out money on food and drinks and beer, and the people can afford to come.”

Belinda Bell and her family travelled up to Hermidale from Warren for the first time. One of their horses was competing and their friends had encouraged them to attend the gymkhana with their young children.

“It’s a really good day actually, we’ll definitely come back. We just thought we’d do something different, so we thought bugger it and decided to come over for it. The children have had lots of fun.”

Ms Bell’s young daughter Olivia was particularly keen to return again begging to come back for her birthday.

Perhaps one of the gymkhana’s most dedicated attendees Dawn Elder has been coming to Hermidale for 60 years. After competing in the gymkhana as a young rider, she taught her children and grandchildren how to ride, and has been coming out every Easter Sunday since she was five.

“They’ve kept it going very well. I see it’s up as good as ever, it’s never dropped off. When you get to love horses and you can ride, you really love it.”

It wasn’t just the horses on show, and crowds really started to build in time for the family events. The annual gumboot throw posed somewhat of a safety hazard, with more than one thrower aiming into to the crowd.

Sydney ring-in Tim Churchill took out the men’s throw, while the women’s throw winner Peita Doyle kept the title local.

After weeks of training Ms Doyle was determined to beat four-year champ Karen Knee, and succeeded with her first throw. A late start to the dog jump wasn’t going to keep the pups down.

Keagan Betts travelled to the area for work from Victoria and came to the gymkhana with his dog Ted to keep him entertained over the weekend. A great decision by him, with Ted taking out joint first place in the small dog jump. The events ran well into the evening, with the team tug-of-war finishing a perfect day out.

Mr Robb said he can’t speak highly enough of the committee and the immense amount of time and effort they put in to ensuring the day ran smoothly.

He also acknowledged the Bogan Shire Council for their assistance in ensuring the grounds were prepared for the day.

“We don’t have the tractors and the equipment they do, to get the grounds looking good. For the council to help out and support a small event like ours, we really appreciate that.”

If you didn’t get to see Mr Robb on the day, you certainly would have heard him on the speakers. Mr Robb expertly MC’d the day, keeping events on track and competitors where they needed to be.

“I get out there and do my best but it’s really not that much,” he said.