Riders saddle up for gymkhana

The first horse event outside racing in the NSW north coast green zone since the outbreak of equine influenza (EI) was held over the weekend.
The Rollands Plains Gymkhana yesterday attracted riders from across the region eager to get back in the saddle and compete.
Local rider Emma Gamack, winner of Champion Stockhorse Hack, has not competed since the Glowalman Championships last July (held in Gloucester, Nabiac and Wingham on the mid-north coast).
"It's been bad because I've missed out on Sydney Royal this year because of the EI so I haven't been able to get points or anything to go for National Point Score Champions and stuff like that," she said.
"My horse has been out of work and I'm in Year 12 this year so I won't get any chance to ride really at all."
"My horse has been fat in the paddock but there's always a chance that maybe something's going to happen like this so you've got to ride once a week just to keep her fit in case something does run."
Anna Lisa, winner of Champion Ridden Hack, says even her horses were excited about coming to the gymkhana.
"I started plaiting them up last night at about four o'clock in the afternoon and my horse Jester he stayed awake all night at the gate, he was really excited," she said.
"This morning when we loaded them on the float at about four he ran onto the float, he was really happy to be out, because he's used to showing."
Anna is hoping her next competition will be at the Camden Haven Show in early February.
"It's really hard you've got them in work and they're learning but you're not working towards ever competing," she said.
"It's a bit puzzling when you don't know when your next event is. We found out this one was on a week ago so it was all guns blazing to get all the gear ready and get the horses ready and get the show condition on in a week."
An auction and market day was held in conjunction with the gymkhana to raise funds for the community.
The president of the Rollands Plains Recreation Reserve Trust Phillip Morton says it's the first time an event has been held on the grounds since March last year. "The important thing is communities like ours we make our money for our community hall, sports ground and tennis courts by running horse events, usually campdrafts and gymkhanas and endurance rides, and we haven't been able to run them," he said.
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