Dubbo Eventing and Showjumping Association hosted its first major competition of the year, The Macquarie Jumping Festival, over the weekend, with travellers from as far as Murrumbateman, which is more than a five-hour drive away, in attendance.
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Club president Dale Frew said despite COVID-19 restrictions in play there was a 'great roll-up' of people over both days of the event.
"Because of COVID-19 It's our first major event of the year, we had some official competition running on Sunday morning, it was subject to Equestrian Australia rules guidelines, majority of the competition was under the hype that's official, but we're picking up for a lot of our western area riders that haven't been able to ride in competition due to COVID-19, so we put on a good event and there's been some fabulous jumping," Mrs Frew said.
"Because of the NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions we weren't able to get some of those distinguished riders from places like Sydney, such as ex Olympians, but we had some very good and accomplished young riders who attended and who have done quite high levels of riding.
"We have a scattering of fairly good riders among us."
Mrs Frew said it was also a good opportunity for the club to show off it's second to none' grounds which are located in Brocklehurst, about a five-minute drive north from Dubbo.
"One thing we've got going is we're really friendly, very welcoming," she said.
Mrs Frew said one positive from COVID-19 has been an increase in club members, which has doubled from the initial 40 to now 80.
Mrs Frew said the Dubbo Eventing and Showjumping Association executives followed COVID-19 safety measures and guidelines closely to ensure the event went ahead, with implementations such as risk assessments, COVID-19 plans in place and QR codes which enforced all in attendance to register upon arrival.
"The event was successful through the hard work of the executive, and it's a small executive, we have about five people who do everything to get these events happening, so it's a big thank you to them."
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