Coonabarabran North West Expo

The Coonabarabran North West Expo is an huge equestrian festival for high school students. This year the entries were capped at 600 riders with around 800 horses descending on the central NSW town. Jane Thompson from Calrossy Anglican School kicked of the first day of cross country in the 1* section.

200 riders from 1* to C grade went cross counrty today with a further 150 going cross country tomorrow in 7 divisions of D Grade. Rachael Temm from Barker College competed in the A Grade ODE.

Coonabarabran is in need of rain and yesterday was quite wet (the expo is said to always break the drought) but today was perfect for the cross country. The mud around the hundreds of campers just adds to the experience. Sarah Hamparsum represented the large team from NEGS in the A Grade ODE.

On day 2 of the 5 day expo, Hannah Kelley represented Ascham School in the A Grade eventing. Ascham is just one of about 90 schools from all over NSW competing at these Championships, described by someone as the Inter-School Olympics.

Amber Stockman from All Saints College Bathurst today competed in the A Grade Eventing. Over the five days riders can compete in, eventing, dressage, hacking, polocrosse, horse ball, team penning, show jumping including a team six bar, working stock horse and sporting including a feature barrell race.

Sarah Lindsay from Scone Grammar School heads through the water complex in the B Grade eventing. The Expo is in its 23rd year and the thousands of visitors are expected to spend $2 million on local goods and services.

Lucy Herbert represented Calrossy Anglican School in the B Grade eventing. The Coonabarabran community aims to deliver one of the best run and widest variety horse event in the country. It is amazing how this enormous event just seems to tick along like a well oiled machine, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Prue Anderson from Kincoppal School, Rose Bay is pictured competing in Grade B2 and looks to be enjoying the upgraded cross country course including improved footing.

The Expo is an event where the country and city come together, it is also refreshing to see so many talented boys riding. Riders can compete in the gear they are most comfortable in, with in reason and safety standards. Jack Rowlandson represented The Scots School Bathurst in the Grade C6 eventing.

Lily O'Toole from MacKillop College Bathurst throws a goal for her team. With all the campers surrounding the ground and the camp fires all going, it was a charming atmosphere with the arena filled with kids enjoying their horses and team mates.

Nick Manchee from The Kings School prepares to throw a goal for his school.

Gabrielle Worth from Snowy Mountains Grammar heads down the field in the Division B polocrosse. Many of the horses and /or riders were playing their first games of polocrosse today and the standard was impressive; the short games kept things moving quickly.

For a position in the next round and eventual team points for the school, there were no soft goals today. Brooke Hunter from Hennessy Catholic College defends her ball on the way to the goals.

At the Expo riders are encouraged to try different events. Today about 180 riders, 60 sections competed in the B Division of polocrosse for riders who do not normally play polocrosse. Teams just played one chucka with the winning teams moving into another round. The experienced umpires controlled the games well and gave plenty of advise to help players. It was a great concept and really enjoyed by the riders. The All Saints College Bathurst head out to play their chucka.

Charlie Coddington from St Johns College was one of the many riders looking like they were having a great time in the Division B polocrosse. Division A for the more experience players was conducted under lights later in the day.