NYNGAN horse trainer Rodney Robb might have had six horses racing at Bourke on Easter Sunday but he chose instead to go the Hermidale Gymkhana where he compared the horse events and watched his six grandchildren compete.  

“I sent my strapper up to Bourke because I was involved in our gymkhana at Hermidale, about 45kms west of Nyngan,” Robb said.  

“I first started going to it when I was 11, and I was 68 on my last birthday.” 

Rodney is part of a small committee which has kept the bush gymkhana tradition alive and also raised valuable funds for the Hermidale community. 

Originally held on New Year’s Day, the Hermidale Gymkhana has been running for more than 50 years. Now held annually on Easter Sunday it traditionally attracts a strong crowd of locals and visitors who enjoy the bush experience. 

This year the village, population 127, swelled with visitors from near and far for a day of fast paced action starting with horse events and finishing with family events including a tug-a-war, teams challenge, foot races, gumboot throws and the ever popular (and fiercely contested) dog high jump. 

ABOVE: Rodney Robb from Nyngan missed the Bourke Races to compare the horse events

at Hermidale Gymkhana and see his grandchildren compete (including Ella Kilmartin who

won the Beryl Robb Trophy for being most successful rider under 12). 

For many families, the Hermidale Gymkhana is a family tradition, with many camping over the weekend at the Hermidale Sports Ground.  

Gymkhana committee president Bryan “Bubba” Perry said this year’s event was a “massive success”. 

“Watching all the kids laughing and smiling and then Mums and Dads enjoying themselves is why our amazing committee puts in the hours to keep it going,” he said. 

“This year we had 68 horse riders which was slightly lower than other years but credit to the riders for getting their horses fit for the day as there were some quality times in the sporting events by all age groups.”  

The crowd had swelled to the “hundreds” by lunchtime, and was three deep along the railings for the goat auction and subsequent races. 

“The goat races are what the crowd came to see and once again it didn’t disappoint with $25,000 auctioned off over the five heats, 40 percent of which goes back to the gymkhana committee to cover insurance and continue to upgrade the grounds to the event can continue to grow.” 

Dubbo visitor Ben Fraser took home the Roy Cooney Memorial Cup and the prizemoney in the goat races. 

ABOVE: Gymkhana president Bryan "Bubba" Perry presents Ben and William Fraser with

the Roy Cooney Memorial Trophy for their win in the goat races 

Mr Perry said there were record numbers in the family events during the afternoon and said the dog high jump was highlight – the winner managing to get over a seven-foot fence. 

“Special mention to the Bogan Shire Council. There were some critical upgrades with the water system completed before the event and the gymkhana team really made the grounds immaculate transforming Hermidale in the Randwick of the west.” 

“An even bigger mention to the amazing committee, major sponsors and volunteers. We’re in a time where volunteers are more extinct than the North African two horned white rhino so I can’t thank everyone enough who helped make the day an absolute success.” 

“It makes you sleep a bit easier at night knowing you helped and contributed to an event bigger than yourself.” 

Blue Mountains visitor Zoe Cox brought her horse out for the weekend and won the coveted Barrel Race Shootout trophy. 

“This is my first Hermidale Gymkhana. My partner works at Tritton Mine with Bubba Perry so that’s how I found out about it and decided to bring my horse out. It’s been such a fun day out and I don’t think it will be my last gymkhana here,” she said. 

ABOVE: Laughlin Ross from Nyngan in the novelty events