Sports Archives - Page 3 of 164

Forbes Pony Club 2026 Charlie O’connor Showjump Day And Gymkhana

May 7, 2026 by Roxane Manley

The Forbes Pony Club (FPC) has been running since 1965, with many successful riders starting their riding days at the club, Forbes has always been known as a competitive club that produces quality riders.

Last weekend was a huge weekend for the club. The Charlie O’Connor Showjumping event was held on Saturday 2 May and the FPC Gymkhana was held on 3 May.

The Charlie O’Connor Jumping event is a showjumping day held by Forbes Pony Club, where riders compete over jumps at different heights based on their skill level. It’s one of the club’s main competitive events of the year.

A gymkhana is a fun equestrian event, run by local clubs, with each Club hosting one annual gymkhana in their hometown. Riders of ages 3 – 25 take part in show events such as best rider, skilled based races, barrel races and games for beginners. Riders from clubs all over the central west came to Forbes to represent their club.

The Forbes Pony Club gymkhana features a very special event called the “John Stewart Memorial Barrel Race”. The riders with the five fastest barrel race times on the day compete in the finals for the title. Up for grabs was an embroidered prize rug sponsored by Flemings Property Services. The 2026 winner was reigning champ Abi Bembrick with a time of 19.748 seconds.

It was highly contested with the top three riders coming in just one point second apart, Mercadez Cartwright from Young Pony Club came in second with a time of 19.898 seconds closely followed by Forbes rider Jack White with a time of 20.637. The presentation was supported by John Stewart’s Family, mother Lois Stewart and sister Kathy Welsh.

Caitlin Lewis of the FPC said, “Overall the weekend was a huge success with many thanks to our hard working committee, it takes a huge amount of behind the scenes work to get an event like this running. We are grateful for anyone who gets in and helps out prior to or on the day. We had amazing Canteen ladies Jodi Bilsbrough and Leeanne Lewis who kept us fed all weekend.

“We also had three senior students from Red Bend Catholic College who came to help out, they were put to work helping score events, hand out ribbons and take orders in the canteen, they were an amazing help on the day.

“Our beginners ring was a hit which was evident by the many smiles from our little riders, this was made possible by Jenna Krakouer who organised and ran the beginners ring on the day, Jenna had 15 tiny riders and ponies to entertain, not an easy feat.”

If you want to be part of the FPC, they offer ‘Come Try’ memberships where a rider can attend a rally day with their horse to see if it is the right fit for them. See Forbes Pony Club on Facebook for more information.

Abi Benbrick on Manny. Photo Credit: Steve Krak’d Lens.

Phil Wells Hits Form

April 30, 2026 by Short Putt

On Saturday 25 April, a field of 42 golfers enjoyed good conditions at the Forbes golf course as they participated in the Anzac Day comp. All the players seemed to enjoy their wander.

The contest was an Individual 18-hole Stroke, sponsored by J&J Ridley. While the numbers were reduced because of the Anzac activity around town the players all endeavoured to do their best.

The Div-1 Winner was Phil Wells with a nett 71 on count back. He enjoyed the day with only one hiccup on the 15th hole.

He finished each half with pars. Runner-up was Matt Walton with 71 nett. His was a similar game to Phil’s but his putter did not behave as required to earn a win.

The Div-2 was won by Tyson Franke, a previous member but now ensconced in Dubbo. His nett 68 was the best of the day and surprised even him, although he could have done better on the back-9. Runner-up was Max Haley with 72 nett. He felt lucky to be playing and made the most of his sojourn with two visitor from Victoria.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett on count back. NTPs went to two Juniors: 9th L Hodge, 18th L Iyer. Neither of them managed to convert for a ‘2’ of which there were only four all day. The Super Pin went to Peter Barnes (310 cm) but he missed his ‘2’.There is a busy golf period ahead with the Forbes Ladies Open to be played this Sunday 3 May, a major Ladies event on 12-14 May and the Forbes Men’s Open on Sunday 31 May.

The comp on Saturday 2 May is the May Monthly Medal, sponsored by Adept Plumbing.

Sunday is the Ladies Open for which the course will be closed until 2pm.

By Short Putt

NPA NSW Lachlan Valley Branch Walks

April 30, 2026 by Roxane Manley

Tuesday May 5 Cookamidgera NR: Meet at 9.00am at the reserve gate on Coonambro Way Easy 3km with visitors from Cumberland Bird Watchers Club (might only be a half day). Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586.

Saturday May 16 Nangar NP: Nangar Tops, off track, 6kms medium. Meet at Pioneer Park Escort Way Eugowra. Leader Hugh Barber 0411 589 223

Thursday June 4 Goobang NP: East Boundary Trail (enter off Renshaw McGirr Way. Meet at 9am Lions Park Molong Rd Parkes Medium 6kms. Leader Martin Bell 0429 346 586

Saturday June 20 Hervey Trail: Creek loop, on and off trail Hard 9kms. Meet at Lions Park Molong Rd Parkes. Leader Liz MacRaild 0455 915 989.

Please contact the listed walk leader the night before the walk if you intend to come.

Our walks are generally pretty leisurely taking time to spot birds, plants, spiders etc.

Walkers are reminded to bring along food and water for the entire day as well as suitable clothing, footwear, hats and sunscreen.

A pair of good binoculars and a fold up chair for the post-walk cuppa is recommended.

Cost is a $2 donation for each walker.

For safety reasons those walking stay together as a group. Please consider bringing a companion if for any reason you are unsure of your ability.

Forbes Pony Club

April 23, 2026 by Roxane Manley

What an unbelievable turn out for Forbes Pony Club’s April Rally with 29, riders across all levels attending Parkes Antique Motor Club High Tea on Sunday 19 April.

Focus was on preparing for the upcoming Gymkhana with beginners and more experienced riders levelling up their skills before the big weekend.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a wonderful event. On May 2nd and 3rd, FPC will hold their Annual Gymkhana and Charlie O’Connor Jump Day.

Currajong Disability Services Hosts Successful Super Tag Gala Day

April 16, 2026 by Roxane Manley

Currajong Disability Services, in partnership with Parkes Spacemen and the NSWRL hosted a successful Super Tag Gala Day at Pioneer Oval on Tuesday 14 April.

Parkes players were joined by players who travelled from Orange, Forbes, Dubbo and even from as far as Newcastle.

The idea for the gala day began when Andrew Thomas, President of Parkes Spacemen was in Dubbo watching a Super Tag game and sent a video of it to Douglas Pout, from Currajong Disability Services.

The rest is now history.

Andrew Thomas said, “At the moment there are three clubs in the PMP playing Super Tag, and we are hoping Parkes will be the fourth.”

The participants were taken through warm ups and skill drills by NSWRL to start off, learning what you have to do, how to move the ball around and how you run with each other. After that players took part in a few games, running 15 minutes each way.

Douglas Pout from Currajong Disability Services said he hoped this event will be the first of many. “What I’d love to see is for this to become a multiday event, where we can have teams come from all over and come here to play.”

Brooke Mallison, NSWRL Club and Competition Co-ordinator said, “We will come out and support these days in co-ordinating them and working with all the disability services in the local areas. We will get on board with the NRL guys that come out and they will run different skills and drills to the ability levels of all the participants.”

Thanks to everyone involved in making the day such a success, including major sponsor Parkes Fitness4All, BRITT Physiotherapy, Parkes Shire Council and Evolution Mining and all of the staff at Currajong Disability Services along with the other service providers who helped make the day possible.

Brooke Mallison, Douglas Pout, Andy Thomas and Toby Kable.

Volunteers from Parkes Spacemen and training staff from NSWRL.

The Lake Macquarie/Hunter Region team who travelled to Parkes to partake in the gala day.

Mason Wild Takes Home Australian Dirt Track Title

April 9, 2026 by Roxane Manley

A challenging weekend at the Australian Dirt Track Titles in Albury-Wodonga turned into a moment of triumph for young rider Mason Wild, who claimed the 80 Modified Australian Dirt Track Title after a hard-fought final.

The weekend didn’t start smoothly for the W15 rider, with gate starts proving difficult across multiple classes from the outset of practice. Wild struggled to get clean launches off the line throughout the early stages of the weekend, forcing him to fight from the back of the field in several races.

While the Albury Wodonga track had its challenges, Wild left with the ultimate prize and the Australian Title.

Adding to the team’s strong weekend was brother Reed Wild, who stepped up into one of the most competitive grids in the sport for his first race in the division. Reed impressed, taking third place in his opening heat and earning a direct transfer to the final in the 65cc class. His performance marked a significant milestone and highlighted the depth of talent within the Wild racing team.

The Wild boys also acknowledged the amazing support network behind their racing efforts, thanking their sponsors who help make competing possible, including Beard Brothers MC, JR Mechanical Services, ProMoto Suspension, Ringmaster Images, Little Ripperz, Extra Mile MC, White Race Tuning, Flemmings Roofing and Central West Funerals.

After a tough weekend of racing, one thing is certain the young W15 machine and Mason Wild delivered when it counted most.

Low Handicappers Show Talent

April 9, 2026 by By Short Putt

With conditions making the golf comfortable a number of golfers recorded good scores. Most notable among them were the low handicappers. The field of 46 players who contested the Individual Par event, sponsored by the Forbes Tuesday Golfers, was down on previous weeks as a result of Easter coinciding with the school holidays.

But the quality in play was still there.

The Div-1 Winner was Steve Betland with 3-under. His Scratch score of 67 began with a bogey on the 1 st hole but thereafter it was sub-par golf all the way. The Div-1 Runner-up was Peter Dawson who finished on 2-under. He started smartly to turn better than Steve B but a couple of bogeys on the back-9 cost him.

The Div-2 Winner was Lenny Iyer with 5-under. He faltered on the 2 nd and 15th holes but otherwise used his handicap very well. The Div-2 Runner-up was Paul Pymont. He was comfortable as the clubhouse leader early in the day and was pleased with the way he played the back9. But Lenny from the last group stole his thunder.

The ball sweep went to 2-under on count back. NTPs went to: 9th Paul Pymont, 18th Pat Murphy. Paul made the ‘2’ but Pat missed his. The Super Pin went to Steve Betland (84 cm) which he easily converted.

The comp on Saturday 11 is the April Monthly Medal, sponsored by the ‘Roadies’ boys. Sunday has a Stableford Medley.

By Short Putt

Cam Mcmillan In Front

April 2, 2026 by Short Putt

On Saturday a small field of 38 golfers enjoyed balmy conditions at the Forbes golf course. The conditions promised much and Cam McMillan delivered. The contest was an Individual 18-hole Stroke, sponsored by Forbes Holiday Park. While the numbers were reduced because of many activities around town the quality of golf wasn’t.

The Div-1 Winner was Cam McMillan with a nett 65. He followed on from his success last week and really enjoyed the greens. An ‘eagle’ on the 15th was sheer pleasure.

Runner-up on the day was Scott Kirkman with 72 nett. He mostly enjoyed the greens sinking a monster putt on the 6th for a birdie.

The Div-2 was won by Brett Woonton with 73 nett. He played in good company which helped him swing easy. Runner-up on the day was Max Haley with 74 nett. He was a late starter and had a rushed beginning to his game but ended strongly.

The ball sweep went to 75 nett. NTPs went to: 9th – M Haley, 18th – P Maher.

Only Phil converted for a ‘2’ with the only other score on the 18th also. The Super Pin went to Dave Mylecharane (330 cm) but he missed his ‘2’.The Summer Sixes 2025-26 Season has finished with the Grand Final and Presentation Dinner held on Sun 29 Mar. Live Golf team won the Main Draw GF and Walkers AgnVet won the Plate Draw Final.

The comp coming up on Sat 4th of April is an Individual Par, sponsored by Forbes Tuesday Golfers.

Looking for something to do Easter Sunday and Easter Monday? both have Stableford Medleys.

By Short Putt

Ambrose Winners Go Low

March 26, 2026 by Short Putt

David Sly and Gerard Everson watch the chip shot of Greg Hanns.

On Saturday the golfers enjoyed the conditions at the Forbes golf course so much that they recorded amazing low scores.

The field of 63 players made up 16 teams to contest a 4-Person Ambrose Medley.

The Ladies numbers were depleted with the Wellington Open being held on Sunday, leaving two Ladies to contest the novelty prizes.

The Winners were the last group on the course and full of youthful vigour. The team comprising Harry Callaghan, Cam McMillan Pat Murphy and Jade Page had a low handicap but managed a scratch score of 59 with a resulting 55.75 nett score.

The Runners-up on 56.25 were the team of Henry and Will Nash, Elliot Parker and Charlie Goodsell. They scored a bogey on the 11th hole and had more pars than the winners, which despite a slightly better handicap did not help them.

The ball sweep went to 58.6 nett. NTPs went to: 9th – Men: S Betland, Ladies: nil, 18th – Men: Niel Duncan, Ladies: nil. Both teams converted for 2’s. The Super Pin went to Cam McMillan (220 cm) but while he missed his ‘2’ the team did convert.

The Longest Drives went to 7th Men: B Ashton, 7th Ladies: C Duncan; 15th Men: B Ashton, 15th Ladies: B Duncan.

Forbes Rugby Union Club Golf Day is on Friday 27 March, what a great way to kick off the weekend before Saturday’s Presidents Lunch. Players of all abilities and ages are welcome to play. $25 Members, per player and $50 Non Members, per player. Timesheets are available in the pro-shop.

The competition on Saturday 28 March is an Individual Stroke, sponsored by Forbes Holiday Park.

Sunday has the Grand Final of the Summer Sixes Competition with tee-off at 2pm, and a Stableford Medley for others.

By Short Putt

Forbes Croquet Notes

March 26, 2026 by Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 21 March, Aussie Croquet was played with 27 in attendance. We once again welcomed Glenn Toole who is visiting his parents in town. It was also indeed great to see Robin Pols back playing with us as Robin hasn’t been around too much in the really hot weather.

On the day all three games were won by Noel Jolliffe, Elvy Quirk, Glenn Toole and David West. Congratulations to those players and especially to our visitor Glenn Toole. Glenn enjoys his game of croquet and always joins us for a game when in town.

On Saturday for Aussie Croquet it is imperative that players make use of the clips provided to record whether they have been through the hoop. The memories of some are not as good as they used to be and if the clips are used in the right manner it allows us to not even need to keep our thinking caps on.

On Tuesday 24 March, Golf Croquet was played at Halpins Flat with 36 in attendance. A cooler start but progressed to a warmer day. In all, 26 games were played on the day.

On Tuesday we once again welcomed Erica Campbell, Joy Hocking, Robyn Liebich and Lyn Harmston who commenced playing with us on the Open Day on 10 March.

Well done girls.

All three games on the day were won by Frank Donohoe, Mal Smith, Bruce Toole and Erica Campbell. Erica has only been playing for a couple of weeks and is already showing form, whilst Bruce Toole is in the winning circle which does not often happen. Well done to all the winners.

Correct dress for the game is clean and tidy attire, closed-in shoes must be worn, a hat, and it is important that you bring your own bottle of water.

Croquet is played each Tuesday and Saturday and we welcome any new players. All enquiries should be directed to 0428 540 272.

Just a reminder that Croquet will be played on Easter Saturday and a reminder also that as a mark of respect on Saturday 25 April, Anzac Day, Croquet will not be played.

Until next week. Stay safe. Practice those shots.

By Elvy Quirk

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