The club said the Gunnedah Polo Carnival was first held in the 1880s at Wolseley Oval.

Now staged at the club’s facility, the carnival is part of the northern polo circuit and will attract teams from around the state and Queensland, said Edward Hoddle a club committee member .

Hoddle said the club was going through a “renewal period” as it looked to return lost sheen by, in large part, receiving a youth membership injection.

He said that given Tamworth no long had a polo club and Gunnedah Polo Club was one of the sport’s oldest organisations, the town was ideally placed to fill a vacuum in the sport in the region.

“It’s quite special that Gunnedah continues this club,” he said.

“There’s a huge opportunity for the Gunnedah club to grow, because we’re a special thing, and it’s a wonderful spectator sport.”

Hoddle said interest in polo in the region had waned as farming changed and the use of horses became less common.

An ancient sport fighting for relevance in a rapidly changing world.

Gunnedah Polo Club is using social media in its fight to remain relevant, promoting the Gunnedah Polo Carnival via social media.

It wants people to know what a great sport polo is to play, and how conducive it is to family bonding.

“It [the carnival] hasn’t had too much promotion. But this year we’ve put in a lot of energy to get people there,” Hoddle said.

“It’s free entry. Families can come and have a nice day out. There’s lunch facilities, a bar, a jumping castle for children.

“We’re putting it out on Facebook. We’re looking for new sponsors to get involved. Hopefully sponsors will use the event as a way of entertaining clients.

“We’re trying to get out into the community and get the community really behind one of Australia’s oldest polo clubs.

“It’s a wonderful club that Gunnedah has supported for well over 100 years, and we want to survive and keep growing for the next 100 years.”

The Gunnedah Polo Carnival is on August 26-27.

The A-grade final is scheduled to start at 3pm on August 27.