Scone Horse Festival

Horse Cultures of the World

The Scone Horse Festival has been running for 37 years, that’s almost four decades (!!!) and celebrates ‘the horse’ in true blue Aussie fashion. Every year across ten days in May, locals and tourists, gather in Scone to join in the celebrations for horses.

Just a bit of background about Scone first (just to warm you up). Scone has been dubbed the ‘Horse Capital of Australia’ and is situated in Northern NSW in the Hunter Valley. You can find pretty much any horse related activity here: eventing, horse trials, shows, gymkhanas, polocrosse and even polo! When you drive through the Hunter Valley towards Scone you will find horse racing studs lining the roads and land. You name it, every type of horse can pretty much be found here!

Now the Scone Horse Festival highlights and showcases the versatility of the horse. It is also paying homage to the local men and women that breed and work with them. Events throughout the festival include a formal ball, street parade, charity rodeo, sheepdog trials, yarns night, polo, farrier’s competition, tent pegging, stud tours, a two-day race carnival – Scone Cup, yearling sales and the grand finale fireworks on Lake Glenbawn. There is even a street parade where everyone takes part from pony clubbers to the Light Horse Brigade!

This is a pretty cool unique festival that is a spectacle in itself and gives you the opportunity to experience something completely different. Oh and did I mention the best bit? It’s FREE! So what are you waiting for? This year (2018) the festival is being held from 4th to the 13th of May. So if you are in the area, go check it out! I think you will love every second of it!