• Callum Wald caught a friend at Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana on Saturday.

By Olivia McInnes

 Around 350 People from as far as Jindabyne and Picton made the pilgrimage to one much loved paddock west of Condobolin for the 59th Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana.

Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana is a unique rural event, fashioned around a family day out full of old fashioned fun for the kids as well as the adults.

The day kicked off with a range of sporting events for the horse enthusiasts, with Alex Wald winning the trophy for most successful rider.

There was plenty of entertainment for the kids including foot races, face painting, jumping castle, merry go round and the traditional rooster chase.

There was also the exclusive ping pong ball drop, where a plane flew over head dropping a load of ping pong balls ,each with a monetary value which the kids could then cash in at the Milby Lolly Shop.

Later in the evening, the crowd was enthralled with the thrills and spills of the Milby Rodeo which was judged by former bull rider Les Parnaby who flew in from Saudi Arabia just to make the event.

The poddy calf ride was won by local Harry Crouch, and the steer ride by Lance Brown who then had to turn around and attempt to ride the feature steer at which he made a gallant attempt.

Member of the Australian Light Horse Association, Jimmy Rogers provided some amusement of his own: firstly with a fantastic tent pegging display and later with some of his much relished tales.

Local band ‘3rd Base then entertained partygoers until the early hours of the morning, with several encores requested as well as a surprise midnight proposal.

Organiser for the event Kerry Sides said that the committee thought Milby could have been a wash out after the storm in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“It turned out to be an extremely successful day,” said Kerry, “everyone had a fantastic time”.

“We want to thank all of our sponsors because without them there’s no way we’d be able to pull it off,” she said.