Gunnedah Show a sunny success

Each year thousands of people flock to Gunnedah from far and wide to take in the spectacle that is the Gunnedah Show.

Running since 1888, the Gunnedah Show is the one calendar event that not many miss, and this year was no exception.

Gunnedah Show Society organised a packed entertainment program, with one of its biggest side show alleys in recent years, horse events such as dressage and show jumping, small doggy dash, kids’ entertainment, the rodeo and so much more.

The 2026 Gunnedah Show, however, did look different to previous years with the loss of the use of the “Tech Paddock”.

While the Gunnedah Show Society held concerns over attendance numbers, Kath Wilkinson, president of the show society, said that numbers were healthy.

Mrs Wilkinson was also impressed with not only the quality show events, but the quantity of attendees as well, noting that most events were full.

“Because we lost that paddock, we did have some concerns…on how we would go for parking. This was our first year of having this format,” Mrs Wilkinson said.

“We didn’t know how bad it was going to be, but really and honestly, it all turned out better than we thought.

Due to the limited space and a packed schedule, certain events became impacted, namely the six-bar showjumping event which had to be cancelled.

While Mrs Wilkinson said this decision was a hard one to make, and very disappointing, she assured that it will be back next year and held on the Friday, instead of the Saturday.

“We had so much going on that we couldn’t put it on, that is why it was cancelled, which we apologise for,” Mrs Wilkinson said.

“We contacted every competitor and they’re keen to have it on the Friday next year.”

Enjoying a sunny Saturday at the Gunnedah Show were Murphy and Abigail Leys. Photos: Dylan Smith

Current fuel uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis were also points of concern for Gunnedah Show Society, however, events such as the ute muster proved to be a huge success with 30 utes in the display.

“It was absolutely unreal to see everyone turn up, coming from wide and far, we had a great turnout this year probably double what we had last year,” Gunnedah Show committee member, volunteer and ute show convenor Goran Kelly said.

“It’s really good to see, especially with the way things are going with fuel prices. Last year I think we had 15, the year before we might have had 20 so this year was very good.”

Mrs Wilkinson believes that the show offers the unique chance for people to take a small reprieve from the world and have a day to enjoy themselves.

She said that she believes the Gunnedah Show helps to keep the community spark alive.

While it was not the full nine discipline rodeo program, the events ran proved to be crowd pleasers with audiences turning up to fill stands half an hour before it started.

This year’s rodeo featured disciplines including, open bull ride, open saddle bronc, open steer wrestling, ladies barrel race, ladies breakaway, novice saddle bronc, novice bull ride, under eights barrel race, and junior steer rides.

Rodeo convenor Jess Norton said that while the smaller space affected the rodeo she was still happy with how it played out.

“It was unreal this was the third year that I’ve ran the show rodeo, and it’s unreal to see the amount of people in the stands, because that’s what it’s about it’s a community event,” she said.

“The hard part was the loss of the tech paddock, it really impacted the show society.

“We made changes to the horse program, we made changes to the rodeo program…I think a few people were put off knowing that the parking was going to be tight. But overall it was very well supported by the town, it was good to see the stands full.”

Excitement is also in the air about the upcoming rodeo at AgQuip.

AgQuip has held a rodeo for years, and Ms Norton is hopeful that this year it can provide a full program with all nine events.

A highlight for Ms Norton was watching the under 8s barrel race, and witnessing 16-year-old MJ Mapp who took out first place in ladies breakaway and Dakota Cabin who came second.

“Yeah, MJ Mapp, a 16-year-old from Singleton, one of the ladies breakaway, and Dakota Cabin, who turned 16 a week ago, she had her first ladies run at Gunnedah and came second. Hands down two of my highlights.” Ms Norton said.

Both Ms Norton and Mrs Wilkinson agree that without community support, the volunteers, and sponsors, Gunnedah Show would not be what it is.

“Amanda Brown, the parking and camping convenor, did a fabulous job. She also judged the show jumping as well, so that was really terrific. Every one of our convenors and our volunteers are really important, I think most of them probably worked more than 100 hours for the show,” Mrs Wilkinson said.

“And of course, we couldn’t do it without our sponsors. they tie us all together and support us…we’d love to think that the people who came to the show would support their businesses in some way throughout the year.”

For Ms Norton, the shared sense of community is the most important aspect of the show and is what keeps her coming back.

“Gunnedah’s show is one of the best agricultural shows in the North West, I don’t care what anybody else says,” Ms Norton said.

“There’s a lot of shows that have gone down to a one-day show, some that are down to a two-day show…you wouldn’t be able to run it if Gunnedah wasn’t as community-minded as what it is.

“That’s why I run the rodeo, I do it so the show society has entertainment to bring people out.”