Tabbil Creek Horse Trials, a newly formed association, is  aiming to reintroduce eventing to Dungog. 

Once a favourite for many well known eventing stars, the Tabbil Creek Horse Trials committee is enthusiastic about re-establishing the Dungog course as one of the great horse trials events in NSW.

The Tabbil Creek land and many of the old cross country jumps are still in great order. 

Working alongside Equestrian Australia course designers, officials and the MacKay family, Tabbil Creek Horse Trials aims to reconstruct a safe, flowing, fun cross country course initially for Introductory (EA 65) to Pre-Novice (EA 105) horses and riders.

The final Dungog Horse Trials run in 2002 saw  more than 230 horses compete on the ground while today, parallel events such as Denman Horse trials attracted 300 horses attend in 2014. 

The long established Scone Horse Trials had 500 horses at their March event with an influx of more than 1000 people to the township of Gundy over the two-day event. 

Tabbil Creek Horse trials aims to hold their first one-day event by mid 2017 with an estimated 300 entries and 500 people in attendance.

Group spokesperson Lindsay Hopwood said to achieve this goal,  they needed to start fundraising.

With the driving forces of Jenni Kennard and Jessica Clark, Tabbil Creek Horse Trials ran their first fundraising event on the October 28, 2015 – a showjumping clinic with three-start eventer and Grand Prix showjumper Andrew Barnett. 

“The day was a huge success with participants from as far as Sydney and Muswellbrook to local areas and our own Dungog Pony Club,” Hopwood said.

“Andrew Barnett was an inspirational coach, his ability to teach children, first time adults and seasoned showjumpers was fantastic to watch and be a part of. “

Tabbil Creek Horse Trials also ran a showjumping training day in late December. Hot weather did little to deter participants with a huge roll up for all height classes. 

Over the next 18 months Tabbil Creek Horse Trials will host clinics and training days in showjumping, dressage and cross country. 

These events are open to everyone, however, you must be a member of Equestrian Australia or Tabbil Creek Horse Trials in order to participate. 

The clinics and training days are a great source of fundraising to assist in the reconstruction of the cross country course and other essential items. 

For more information about Tabbil Creek Horse  Trials contact Lindsay Hopwood at email younglindsay1@yahoo.com.au or visit the group’s Facebook page