Pranksters Revealed…

THE people behind the piles of horse manure left around town yesterday have been found to be part of the Scone Horse Festival.

The prank was to launch this year’s official theme of “Legends, Myths and Fantasies”, explained Festival president David Gatwood.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood, Festival president David Gatwood and Adelaide Fraser with the Mare and Foal in Scone.

“The people of Scone like to have fun so we thought we’d better rise to the challenge and come up with something a bit different to capture everyone’s attention,” said Mr Gatwood.

“We’re hoping the mystery of the manure created some discussion about myths and fantasies and unearthed some of the local legends about horses and horse people,” he said.

“There’s plenty of inspiration to draw from for decorating shop windows and the floats and we’re looking forward to seeing some cracking entries in this year’s parade,” David Gatwood said.

Segenhoe Stud and Godolphin provided the manure, including some from the legend Lonhro, with glitter and old horse shoes supplied by the Scone Race Club.

Barley Ward-Thomas from Godolphin stud, who are regulars in the parade, said this year’s theme gives people plenty ideas for the parade.

“The horse is such a beautiful animal it’s no surprise they’ve inspired so many great myths and legends,” said Mr Ward-Thomas.

“The Parade is always a lot of fun and everyone on staff is already coming up with ideas so we can roll out something special for this year’s Parade,“ Barley Ward-Thomas said.

Next year marks the 40^th Anniversary of the Scone Horse Festival and organisers say this year’s event will lay the platform for significant celebrations.

“Horses are the lifeblood of our town – quite aside from the jobs they create and the visitors they deliver, horses bring people together in this town more so than any other town in the country,” said Mr Gatwood.

“Pony clubs, campdrafts, race meets, polo matches, rodeos;  this is what we do, this is what we love and it’s something we want to celebrate in a big way during this year’s Festival,” David Gatwood said.

Full details for the 2019 Scone Horse Festival, including information for the parade, the colouring-in and window display competitions and the calendar of events is available at Scone Horse Festival website.