HORSE sports are a popular activity in Gunnedah, but it's not only local equine enthusiasts that will benefit from a major revamp of the showground facilities.
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The town will be better placed to host major equine events, thanks to $80,000 in NSW government funding to resurface the showground's main arena and an additional $187,959 for the local pony club.
"It is probably the best outdoor horse arena around, so this is only going to make it better," Gunendah Show Society Rob Witts said.
The arena is in high demand, currently used for the local showjumping, dressage, pony club and show society, but it also attracts horse groups from outside the area.
Mr Witts said a number of upcoming events held within the arena will all bring big visitation to Gunnedah, and he hopes to see more upgrades in the future.
"We have had a new soft floor arena for the rodeo section put in, we've upgraded some stables and we're hoping to get more stables done," he said.
"There's been quite a lot done in the showground in the last 18 months.
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"At the end of August the show society is running a three-day show jumping event which attracts some of our internationals, it's a big weekend, then in August/September the campdraft club are running their weekend."
And, on October 8 and 9, the Energy, Innovation and Mining Expo (eIMEx) is set to transform the showgrounds with exhibitors from the energy, innovation and mining sectors coming together to showcase the latest technology and equipment.
The Gunnedah Pony Club has also secured $187,959 for upgrades to its clubhouse, including better disability access and amenities upgrades.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the projects form part of Gunnedah Shire Council's masterplan for the showground, which the NSW Government is supporting in stages.
"Rob Witts is the president of the Gunnedah Show Society and does a magnificent job - they've got a vision, they've got a plan," he said.
"You need good facilities at showgrounds, if you've got good facilities it attracts people, they don't want to see rundown grandstands, toilets and canteens, they want modern, safe facilities."
The funding comes from the latest round of the NSW government's COVID-19 showground stimulus program.
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