Over four decades ago, four community-minded, horse passionate men combined their vision to turn a major country race meet and sales into a festival celebrating Scone, the horse capital of Australia. Now, 45 years later, the town is celebrating them.
Jim Rodgers, Mike Pritchard, Barry Chapman and Brian Russell created Horse Week, which now boasts 10 days of equine events, attracts over 10,000 people and includes the richest country racing carnival in Australia, all under the banner of the Warburton Estate Agents Scone Horse Festival.
“I’m astonished by what it is today.” Jim said. “A lot of people back then thought we were crazy. Some people liked the idea, others didn’t but I don’t think anyone would believe what it has become today.”
Jim, who still lives locally and attends the festival each year, said they wanted to create some fun and show off the town. “It was a big week of sales and racing, and we thought ‘let’s give them something to come here for’. We added a parade on Saturday morning and a Ball at the Bowling Club. The parade was a few horses, a Cobb & Co and the Pony Club. We had to hold it before midday when all the shopkeepers would go home.
“We formed a committee and each year the festival grew bigger with local groups keen to showcase what they’d been doing. Unfortunately, a lot of those people who started it are no longer with us.”
Jim was a former vet at Scone Equine Hospital, which has been a sponsor of the festival every year since, including its continuation as Parade naming rights sponsor in 2025. Mike Pritchard, a founding member and long-time loved ABC Reporter, remains part of the festival team to this day.
Festival President, Jason Hill, said the 2025 theme “Home is Where the Horse Is: 45 Years of Heart in Scone,” paid tribute to the founders’ remarkable efforts, and reflected on the enduring bond between Scone’s equine heritage and the community that has shaped its legacy.
“Scone is the birthplace of over 50% of Australia’s Thoroughbred racehorses, and the Hunter Valley is internationally renowned as a champion breeding ground, recognised alongside Kentucky and Ireland.
“That success, along with a community dedicated to showcasing their unwavering love of all things equine has undoubtedly helped to elevate Scone as the Horse Capital of Australia, Mr Hill said.”
A hotly anticipated event in the Hunter Valley, the 10-day festival held from May 9-18 provided exciting and entertaining equine events showcasing the versatility of the horse and the important role they play within the region and around the world.
The festival pays homage to all breeds and equine skills including thoroughbreds, Australian Stock horses, draught horses, polo, dressage and horse sports, as well as the people who breed and work with them.
“It is truly a remarkable feat for a small rural community to establish and foster an annual festival which now attracts more than 10,000 people, has run for 45 years and each year gets bigger, better and stronger. This wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible community, generous sponsors and of course the Upper Hunter Shire Council,” Mr Hill said.