Cold beer and frisky horses

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Each October we have a busy schedule of weekend horse events.

It all kicks off in the tiny town of Pooncarie with their annual race meeting.  With a dirt racetrack and just enough lawn and shade to keep the crowd happy there is always a great atmosphere at this bush race meeting.

The airstrip happens to be right next to the racetrack.  No baggage scans, taxis or trains required and since accommodation is scarce some aviators just roll their swags out underneath their planes.

From there we load up Annabelle’s pony and head to a racetrack in the bush called Nanua for amateur racing and hotly contested gymkhana events.  There is no town for at least 140kms, just a dirt track, basic amenities, a busy bar area and plenty of keen horses and riders.

 

The next and slightly more refined outing is to the Silver City Races in Broken Hill.  We dress up and buy member’s tickets, meet up with family and friends and enjoy the charm and shade of the historic grand stand.

 

 

 

Bush horse events involve plenty of travelling, dust, cold beer and steak sandwiches.  They are also major fund raising and social occasions, especially for the smaller communities.  Long may this tradition continue, we love it.

My husband plays an official roll at these events which is part of the reason why our month is so horsey.  It is also a great excuse to be sociable, take photos and watch the horsey world go by.

Are you into horses I wonder?

Horses or not, I hope you are having a lovely Sunday.

34 Comments

  1. Reply

    tea with hazel

    November 1, 2014

    love horses but not the races jane although i can imagine liking outback racing..love your red dress..x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      Thank you Jane…racing is not for everyone!

  2. Reply

    Zara

    November 1, 2014

    You look beautiful Jane. Red/pink really suits you.
    x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      Thank you Zara, that is very kind 🙂

  3. Reply

    annelawson

    November 2, 2014

    Hi Jane, The Spring Carnival is happening in Melbourne too, but, if I was into races, I know where I would rather be! The community must have loved it, and I hope it was a successful fundraiser too. Your fascinator looks fab!
    Cheers
    Anne

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      Thanks Anne…it certainly is horse season isn't it? Especially in Melbourne 🙂

  4. Reply

    almostitalian

    November 2, 2014

    I don't ride but I love the Spring Carnival here in Melbourne. The whole month is dominated by big events. I uusally back horses with Italian sounding names- this system seems as wise as any other and I oftn have a gathering on the big day. Your country races look great- the wonderful old grand stand and the community aspect of it all. And the FROCKS. I sometimes head over to the Yarra Glen races wich have a bit of that counrty feel.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      The Spring Carnival must be huge in Melbourne. Going with Italian sounding names is a great way to have a bet…anything is worth a try 🙂

  5. Reply

    livecheaperdaybyday

    November 2, 2014

    Your photos remind me of my youth when we want to Gascoyne Junction (WA) races and gymkhana each year. What fun we used to have. Hope you are not near the bush fires I have heard on news today?

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      Thank you for your thoughts, no bush fires near us today!

  6. Reply

    Anonymous

    November 2, 2014

    beautifully depicted Jane!! and there were some "lovely" fillies on the field too, I might add:) ewe beauty!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 2, 2014

      I suppose the fillies don't scrub up too badly Trish…thanks for calling in, I always love to hear from you x

  7. Reply

    CountryMouse

    November 2, 2014

    Wow, lots of horses and lots of dust. It sound busy but fun. I love that race outing atmosphere, the relaxed fun and togetherness, oh and the chance to dress up.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 3, 2014

      It sure is dusty…it just wouldn't be the same without it! Thanks for calling in 🙂

  8. Reply

    joanne

    November 2, 2014

    OMG I'd forgotten that the Melbourne Cup is coming up. Love that grandstand. Have to get up your way when I am back in Aust. next year and take a look

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 3, 2014

      Yes, the big day in Melbourne is tomorrow 🙂

  9. Reply

    Lizzy (Good Things)

    November 2, 2014

    There's something curiously elegant about racing carnivals, even in the dust, isn't there Jane? You look absolutely lovely… that's your colour for sure.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 3, 2014

      Yes Lizzy…a strange contrast of dust and elegance with regard to outback racing! Thank you for your kind words x

  10. Reply

    e / dig in hobart

    November 3, 2014

    what a wonderful day! lovely to imagine what the grandstand must have looked like when frshly built.
    and i love your hat!

  11. Reply

    Alex

    November 3, 2014

    What a cross culture of Australiana…red dust and getting dressed up for the races. Beautiful.
    As an aside about Melbourne cup day…it was the day my parents as immigrants from Germany arrived in 1950. Even though my mother spoke English as a translator she could not make out what this Melbourne cup was. I always am reminded of this when the race that stops Australia rolls round again 🙂
    I love all your photos as they give such a fantastic feel of actually being there…..we have just been driving from Moorlands and arrived in Hay on our way home to Sydney….love Australia and it's vast beauty
    Many thanks. I'm coming by from Down to Earth

    Alexa blogging from Sydney, Australia
    Alexa-asimplelife

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 5, 2014

      Thank you for calling in Alex, good to hear from you!

  12. Reply

    Anne

    November 3, 2014

    How amazing to go somewhere 140km from town for a gymkana! Your life is so different from anything I've ever known. It all looks good fun and any excuse to meet up for a drink and some socialising sounds like a good idea.
    Wish I could go back to gymkana games on ponies – one of the best things in my life when I was young. My ponies were never refined enough for showing and too lazy for jumping, but boy could they twist and turn around bending poles or roar up and down for apple bobbing and the like. Happy days.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 3, 2014

      Thank you so much for such a beautiful comment Anne. What a wonderful memory from your days with horses. You have described our horses perfectly! In Australia they are known as novelty ponies (as in competing in novelty events) Some novelty ponies/horses are incredibly fast! x

  13. Reply

    frogpondfarm

    November 3, 2014

    Great pics Jane! Looks like a fantastic day. I only have a flutter once a year and today is Melb Cup Day. I'm excited!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 5, 2014

      It is rather exciting isn't it Julie?

  14. Reply

    Emily Grace

    November 4, 2014

    I'm not into horses. I prefer donkeys. 🙂 But what a lovely tour you gave. Thank you for sharing!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 5, 2014

      Donkeys are lovely too!

  15. Reply

    Chantille Fleur

    November 5, 2014

    I love horses, although I haven't ridden one since I was a little girl. I enjoy watching the horses events at the local show and field days.
    Hope your week is going well,
    Sarah xx

  16. Reply

    liz @ Strayed Table

    November 5, 2014

    Nice Frock Jane. What a great event to have and get dolled up for. I am not in love with horses so much but if I needed a social hit I would still be there and sipping on champers. Great way to bring community together even if folks need to fly in.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 5, 2014

      Thanks Liz, these are real community events in our part of the world!

  17. Reply

    cityhippyfarmgirl

    November 5, 2014

    hello lovely Jane, good to SEE you! xx

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 5, 2014

      Thanks Brydie. I understand that today is a rather sensitive day to be discussing horse racing. I also understand that it is not for everyone.

      It is funny appearing on my blog. It is not something I have actively avoided…but the opportunities just don't come up very often. I am usually behind the camera 🙂

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