Do you have a large paddock you want ploughed on the cheap?

[Max Hedges]

Firstly this event was put on by the Yass Antique Farm Machinery Club. Yes there was a World Record Set, there was no other record, so this was the easy part. Considering the extremely cold wind on sunday the event was a huge success. Horses came from WA, Vic, & NSW. Some people came from WA, SA & Tasmania. The most disappointing thing perhaps was that only 28 horses actually made the event, the weather apparently had the horses stirred up and it was quite difficult for them on the day, 4 horses pulled out that morning and I guess some didn't come because of the weather as Saturday it was raining as well (you would not believe the mess, mud everywhere). We did have approx 3,000 paying people through the gate and the traffic was backed up for 3 1/2 kms getting into the event. There has been nothing but good remarks and praise for the event. One of the elderly ladies where I work, who attended sumed it up as " there would not have been anyone there happier than myself ", apparently she used to drive the horses on her farm. There was also an antique tractor pull and various machinery displays, stalls and food. A few military vehicles turned up and Ashleys army tent was used at the entry gate with Amec members helping man the gate. We managed to make a profit on the day and will be donating money to Can Assist, Heavy Horse Heaven and keeping some for a Rural Museum in Yass. this event would not have been possible without all the volunteer help from the fantastic members of the Antique Farm Machinery Club at Yass, Amec, numerous sponsors with donations of money, and whatever else was needed, The Yass Valley council ( who came and graded the road on Saturday ), Yass Earthmovers for fixing the driveways so people could get in, George Hempenstall for a loan of the horse yards, and anyone else who just turned up to help as the list goes on and on. Our horse which is owned by several club members and started all this didn't make the event as she was too stirred up with the cold weather and just wanted to go home, she bolted from the paddock slipped over approaching the gateway rolled over the fence and landed in the ditch on her back with her feet in the air and she just laid there whilst they undid her harness and then they took her back to the yards. Only our horse could do this so spectacuarly and try to entertain the crowd for a while, thankfully not many people saw this happen. She is fine and no one got hurt . I guess that if anyones animal is going to do this it may as well be ours. There is still a little bit of tidying up to do and all will be back to normal.