Horse Festival VIPs Announced

THE VIP’s for the Scone Horse Festival have been announced with Bob Paton taking top honour, Mitch Wamsley named young achiever and horse of the year going to Frank.

Bob Paton has overseen the maintenance and upgrading of the Rosedale Equine Complex in Murrurundi for more than 20 years, using his own equipment and volunteering thousands of hours of time.

The Complex is home to the Bushman’s Carnival, King of the Ranges, sheep dog trials, rodeos and pony clubs.

The 70 year old Vietnam veteran has spent a lifetime breaking in horses and was surprised by news of the award.

“I’m a bit humbled by it to be honest,” said Mr Paton.

“I don’t even know what the criteria was for the award but I do know that there are plenty of other worthy candidates out there,” Bob Paton said.

David Gatwood, president of the Scone Horse Festival said Bob has been the critical to a number of horse events in the area.

“Rosedale Equine Centre is the beating heart of Murrurundi and it doesn’t operate without Bob Paton,” said Mr Gatwood.

“Thanks to Bob’s extraordinary dedication Murrurundi is able to host major events that inject money into the town, that bring thousands of people together and that give people an opportunity to pursue their passions,” he said.

“As a community we are indebted to Bob and I know he’ll get the cheer he deserves when he leads the parade on Sunday,” David Gatwood said.

Mitch Wamsley competing in polocrosse.

Mitch Wamsley was recognised as one of the brightest young polocrosse players, in 2018 he was a member of the undefeated NSW under 21’s team at the Australian Polocrosse Championships in Perth and was part of the Bunnan team which won the NSW Club Championships.

Frank, the horse of the year, was bred and raised in Scone, owned by the Boyle family and widely regarded as one of the best Vaulting Horse in Australia; the pinnacle of his career so far has been receiving an 8.85 from International Judges at the CVI in Adelaide.

Frank the Horse of the Year with owners Juz and Robyn Boyle.