"It's the biggest carnival we’ve had at Quambone by a country mile!" says Polocrosse Club President Simon Turnbull.

A small town of horse floats, long-neck trailers, trucks and tents had sprung up around the Quambone Sports Ground for the two-day carnival on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July.

Five fields were marked out and thirty eight teams - or 226 people - were registered to play.

They brought their horses, parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents, friends and supporters with them.  

This year the National Junior Challenge being held at Narrabri the following weekend (8 & 9 July) helped draw contenders with extra juniors coming all the way from Western Australia.

One mum drove her three boys from W.A. And there were also a family from Victoria and players from Tasmania & New Zealand.

"They were all blown away by how friendly everyone is - and how flat our country is," Mr Turnbull said.

"Quambone's following has grown from an atmosphere of grass-roots family fun with many teams made up of parent-offspring combinations. 

"We play a Ringers Run Novelty Race and have served up a star, home-made three course meal over many years and have seen the numbers increase every year," he said.

Inverell fielded a team for the first time at Quambone, encouraged by former local Jerome Hayden who now plays for them.

Mr Turnbull says other players travel annually from Lake George near Canberra, Burradoo/Bowral, Maitland, Quirindi and many places in between.

Players left little on the field and there were a few bumps and bruises as the chukkas mounted.

ABOVE: Competitors were treated to a hot meal after their games.

Opens

Quirindi 1 beat Inverell 1 in the A Grade Final with Hayden Turnbull named Player of the Match.

In the B Grade, the Mendooran 1 team (which featured Erica Stewart, granddaughter of Colin and Cherie Wilson of Girrahween, Coonamble) beat the Western Wanderers which included some top shelf players from W.A. And other states. Player of the Match was Matt Stevenson.

In C Grade, Galloping Gully 2 out-played Mendooran 2 with Campbell Williams named Player of the Match.

Cassilis 2 and Galloping Gully 3 fought it out in the D Grade final with Cassilis taking the prize and Emma Campbell the Player's trophy.

The E Grade final saw Mendooran 3 get over Gulgong 2 and Alex Miller was awarded Player of the Match.

Mixed Finals

Bunnan beat Quirindi in a hard-fought A Grade Mixed final with Skye Anderson named Player of the Match.

Cassilis 1 fought off Gulgong 1 in the B Mixed Final, Jack Hamilton was top player.

The Doos - Cubbaroo and Dunedoo - faced off in the C Mixed Final with Billy Brodigan awarded Player of the Match.

ABOVE: Competition was tough over the two-day carnival in Quambone.

Juniors

In the A Juniors Quirindi disappointed W.A. In a tight match and Ruby Turnbull was awarded Best & Fairest.

The Dream Team (of no fixed abode) beat Narrabri in the B Juniors with Korbyn Hamilton named Player of the Match.

In the Sub-juniors (ages), Gulgong 7 conquered Gulgong 2 in the A Grade and Warren/Legends beat Narrabri/Wanderers in the B Grade.

Consolation prizes were awarded to Burradoo and the Narrabri-Cassilis-Gulgong combination team

Player trophies.

Champion Junior for the carnival was Erica Stewart of Dunedoo, who played in the B Grade competition.

Champion Sub-junior was Amelia Amey.

Champion Male Player was Hayden Turnbull and Felicity Elford won the Jacinta Mallon Memorial Trophy for Champion Lady Player.

Local perpetual trophies were also awarded.

Gareth Garnsey took home the D.W. Bucknell Memorial Cup for Best Horse & Adult Rider combination Quambone Club and Clare Hopkins was awarded the Richie Paine Trophy for Best Horse & U/21 Rider combination Quambone Club.

ABOVE: An early view of the Quambone Sports Ground and playing fields. PHOTO: Simon Turnbull

With early campers, late leavers, players and supporters ducking into Quambone for takeaways, fuel, refreshments and supplies the event provided a significant injection to the community.

"Our Quambone club, while having its smallest number of players in many years has pulled off its biggest achievement," said Simon Turnbull.

"With thanks to many friends from other clubs who helped over the weekend and also to Coonamble council staff for their help in making our facilities so presentable." 

"Quambone is still on the map with a carnival with an international flavour," he said.

"From W.A. to Tasmania to New Zealand it will be talked about for many a day to come."