Gunnedah Tentpeggers named champion team at Sydney Royal Easter Show

The Gunnedah Tentpeggers were named champion tentpegging team at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, after amassing the highest number of points over four days of competition.

The Gunnedah team received the Golden Livermore Lance Perpetual Trophy after tallying 385 points, while Tamworth was second on 382.50 and followed by Lighthorse on 366, Maitland on 329.50, and North East Victoria on 313.50.

Having won at the Sydney Royal previously, Tamworth led during the first three days at this year’s Show while Gunnedah was in second place before the latter had a strong final day to grab the glory.

The top-placed team comprised captain Steven Craig and his mum Renee, along with Aedan Staats and Warren Bramley.

Aedan also took out Champion Skill At Arms including the Kirsty Allan Sword Trophy for highest Skill At Arms points over two days of competition, and Champion Individual Tentpegger of the Sydney Royal.

This year was the second time the Gunnedah Tentpeggers competed in the Sydney Royal, having placed fifth of five teams last year while Steven placed fourth in Skill At Arms.

To qualify for the Sydney Royal, teams need to be among the top four scores at the NSW championships.

“When you win this big of a competition, no words can explain what you feel in that moment,” Renee said.

“Everyone has different emotions in this event.

“To have the opportunity to win this riding in the same team as your son and good friends, it takes it to a whole new level of emotion and excitement.”

Renee said she thought the key to victory was having fewer nerves than last year, and “knowing what to expect and just wanting to have fun and to improve from last year”.

“When you walk out into Engie Stadium you just want to give it your all,” she said.

“It also wouldn’t be possible without our support team that stands behind us constantly, consisting of our partners, parents, children and friends.

“I think Engie Stadium heard every last one of them the closer we got to the win.”

Renee said the grounds inside the Engie Stadium were amazing while the competitors couldn’t have asked for better weather.

“This allowed the crowds to pack the stadium,” she said.

“When all your team members pick up their peg or someone leaves a peg in the ground, the crowd lets you know.”

Renee said the sport wasn’t easy, as competitors rode a horse at gallop with a weapon (Lance or sword) in single file evenly spaced out and four abreast (side by side) while having to hit a target.

Renee said the target was three inches wide and about 10 inches long, and placed about an inch in the ground on an angle of about 110 degrees.

“If you hit it but it doesn’t come out of the ground you get awarded two points; if you hit it and carry it less than 20m you get four points, but if you carry it more than 20m you get the full six points,” she said.

“Being a sport that came from the Lighthorse in the War, there is also drill points that get added to your peg score.”

As for Aedan’s achievements, Renee said he was “a very competent, cool, level-headed and well-established horseman”.

Aedan said “a lot of determination, a very trustworthy horse and a great team to keep it light-hearted” were decisive aspects of his success.

Renee said the Gunnedah Tentpeggers hoped to compete again in next year’s Sydney Royal while back-to-back award wins “would be nice”.

This year’s NSW championships in Manilla on October 11 and 12 will determine if the Gunnedah team earns the right to compete in the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show.