More than 200 horse riders will descend on New England Girls’ School this weekend for the annual one day event.
Some of the state’s top competitors will line up alongside some of the school’s champions in all levels, from encouragers through to the CNC 1*.
Fresh off taking out the 1* at national interschools, student Jaimie McElroy is busy preparing for this weekend’s event and is ready to take on seasoned performers who compete at the top level.
"I think [I will be] just seeing how I go against the adults as well in an open competition,” she said.
"It is a bit bigger so I will see what I am up against. All the juniors go or have gone to NEGS so I know most of them.
"Most of the others I have competed against before and they are pretty tough competition so it should be good.
"I am hoping for a top five [finish].”
Numbers are up from previous years and event secretary Ali Pettit said it is really pleasing to see people showing interest in travelling to Armidale to take part.
"We had to cap the entries, we had a few people trying to get in on Tuesday but with the draw coming out, it was too late and we just didn't have the room,” she said.
"Dressage is already going until 5pm on Saturday and we didn't want to make it go to 6pm.”
Students and staff have spent time painting jumps in bright colours which will test horses and riders in the showjumping and cross country phases.
We had to cap the entries, we had a few people trying to get in on Tuesday but with the draw coming out, it was too late and we just didn't have the room.
- Ali Pettit
"They look amazing, we have had a lot of work done to the course this year, the grounds are the best they have ever been and the jumps have a new coat and we have some fresh paint on them,” Pettit said.
Entry is free for spectators and it is expected there will be plenty of people taking their seats to witness the cross country action on Sunday from 9am.
"They should definitely come on the Sunday, the cross country is always really good for everyone to watch, you don't have to be horsie to watch it, it is pretty exhilarating,” Pettit said.
"If they have got kids, they are welcome on the Sunday but it would be even better if they came on Saturday night because there is food from Moxons and the French Coq and we have got entertainment- the hoof and woof where all the kids dress up and go in and it is a lot of fun.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
