The event was the club’s first opportunity to put their brand new cross-country track through its paces, with riders from across the State giving it the thumbs up.

“It was a fabulous weekend,” Wellington Pony Club assistant secretary Bernadette Knowles said.

“I’ve got about 50 thank you emails in my inbox to prove it.”

Riders travelled from Toronto, Narrabri, Walgett, Cobar, Bathurst and everywhere in between.

In the past the event would attract 80 to 90 riders but this time it pulled in 165.

Mrs Knowles attributes this amazing success to a number of factors.

“Attracting 165 riders was pretty fantastic,” Mrs Knowles said.

“Being a new course and the fact that it was a two-day event so people could plan for the whole weekend would have helped.

“There were also a lot of boarding school students on holidays.”

Adding to the attraction was the picture-perfect weather and the atmosphere produced by hundreds of like-minded people camping out with the smell of woodsmoke and horses.

Facilities at the Geurie Showground have received a gradual makeover during the past two years and Mrs Knowles said the improvements were popular.

“All our new facilities held up really well.

“The football club installed new showers, there are new toilets, some areas have been repainted and electrical work has been carried out.”

The shower and toilet facilities were particularly popular among campers and will be again this weekend when the club’s four-day camp kicks off.

Results for local area riders will be published on Monday.