Equestrian Carnival to be held at Bingara Showground

March 11, 2012

Inverell Accommodation Services (IAS) riders are currently planning for their next big event – a nine day Equestrian Carnival held at Bingara Racecourse from March 13 to 22, 2012.

The organisation supports people with disability and last year they formed a riding club to provide their clients with contact with horses, and encourage engagement with other members of the community.

In October last year they spent a few days camped at Warialda Racecourse and the event was so enjoyable, they decided to do it again soon.The Bingara event has been in the plan for some time, but in January this year, the 8 year old son of one of their staff was involved in a car accident and received serious spinal injuries. At this time IAS Riders decided to turn their ride into a fundraiser for the family.

Mackenzie Cook (Macka) is currently in Westmead Hospital and he and his family (dad Josh, Mum Zoe and siblings Nash and Charlotte) face a long recovery and rehabilitation, and a future which will be different than the one they had expected.

Macka is now breathing on his own and there is hope that in the next couple of months he will be ready to leave the hospital, and start on the serious job of rehab to optimise his functions for the future.

Macka and the family are doing a great job of working toward a wonderful future for him, knowing that this includes use of a wheelchair and a number of aids, but with the belief that he has a positive life ahead of him. IAS Riders are hoping to contribute to that future.

There are a great number of events on over the course of the ride with events including trail rides, wagon rides, horse breaking and natural horsemanship clinics. There will be sporting events for riders at all levels and a cross country ride for all levels. There will also be plenty for people who don’t ride with weekend activities  including riding exhibitions, carriage driving, horseball and a polocrosse carnival, and people are encouraged to come and watch the activities, and camp with us if you wish.

Saturday night March 17 will be a wonderful night with north coast band Vanessa Lea and Road Train playing, with the Inverell Rabbit Trappers as their support act.

Tickets for the night are available at Warialda Visitor Information Centre and Inverell and Bingara Tourist Information Centres. For more information contact IAS on 6722 4947.