Are we or are we not the Horse Capital ?

AS construction on the multi-million dollar equine facility at Tamworth continues, the people of Scone have been left to ask the question; is Scone still the Horse Capital of Australia? It is a difficult question to answer the facts.
While Scone does boast an equine infrastructure like no place else in Australia, the fact there are no facilities, tourist attractions, or displayed memorabilia has added fuel to the whisper that Tamworth could be in contention for the title.
Despite statistics which state from the year 1900 to 2000, at least 50 per cent of champion thoroughbred stallions hailed from the Hunter Valley, Scone currently has nothing on display for visitors to see should they decide to visit the so-called Horse Capital.

However, a new steering committee consisting of Dr Judy White, Bill Howey and Scone Race Club Secretary Helen Sinclair plans to address the problem with a proposal they believe will undoubtedly re-establish Scone as the Horse Capital of Australia.
The steering committee will initially focus on creating a centre which will house a wide variety of equine memorabilia.
“We need to take action to ensure that title otherwise it will betaken away from us,” Dr White told The Advocate.
While the word memorabilia initially conjures images resembling that of a museum race Club Secretary Helen Sinclair said the proposed centre would be more of an interactive experience for people.
“We want to put together significant footage of the past and include perhaps a walk of fame similar to that of the Stockman’s Hall of fame in Longreach, Queensland.
“People could also come and watch morning track work and see all the things that do exist here but cannot presently be seen.”
One suggested location for the centre would be the site which already exists next to Scone Race Club.
The heritage centre would be modelled off already successful international examples such as the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Horse Culture Museum of China, and would represent the history, evolution and progress of the horse in Australia, as well as it’s impact on national development, identity, sport, recreation, pleasure and culture.
“There is no place that people can come to see and experience the kind of feelings we all get to have as locals. There are so many things here, but right now unless you’re told by a local you would never know,” Mr Sinclair said.
The committee plans to put forward a proposal and seek funding for the project in the near future.
“We need a dedicated person to channel all their energy into the project,” Ms Sinclair said.
“The whole point is to give enthusiasm to interested parties. This town needs to be a horse destination. People who come through here must have something to see.”