Awoke early to light rain ( the first of this trip), the hum of dirt bikes and clatter of horses as all the kids got ready for their events. The Hungerford Sports Association had planned their event day to coincide with the 150th and the flood relief activities so the joint is jumping.

We watched the morning gumkhana (a photo free child sporting event sorry). So much fun- starting with an under 4 event with cute tiny tots riding equally cute tiny ponies, led by their parents trying out junior versions of flag races, barrel races and ‘Apple our of the bucket’ races. Man you have to be fit to be a parent in these parts, those ponies can move.

Was amazing watching the skill of the young riders – going up to 17 and their positively gleaming stock horses- heaven!

The gymkhana was all over by late morning with the 150th celebrations starting with a parade of pretty much everyone who currently living in Hungerford either on foot or horse back followed by the adult events, and finishing the day with novelty events including broom tossing and egg throwing. So much wholesome fun and the entire community got into it wholeheartedly. 

I’d say we were pretty much the only people here who don’t have a connection with the town, but people were very welcoming. I had long chats with an 85+ year old cattle farmer who had travelled with his mate (also 85) from the other side of Roma. His mate was competing in events and his mates wife had asked this fellow to go with him to ‘keep him out of trouble’. I asked him if he was still riding and he said ‘no my grandkids made me shift to the Ute 3 years ago’.

Back at our camp site exhausted and literally coated in red dust. We definitely need a camp site with shower facilities tomorrow night, but in the mean time- baby wipes it is!