A STARK contrast in the elements was the tale of the 2014 Richmond Field Days held on June 13-14 with perfect conditions and strong visitor numbers on the Friday setting the event up for a let down on Saturday.
The occasion which started with such promise went south when drizzling rain turned the racetrack grounds into a bit of a mud bowl, which caused the cancellation of the annual race meeting, and the frigid wind that accompanied led many to stay at home.
Richmond Mayor John Wharton along with several other graziers the Register spoke too said the rain which was believed to be approximately 12mls would be more of a curse then a blessing unfortunately.
“It will be just enough to blacken off the grass we have and cause some damage to our hay supplies,” Mr Wharton said.
“We need a good three or four inches to cover the entire region to really give us some relief,” he said.
Field Days Secretary Camilla Rogers said from a Committee point-of-view the event had been very successful taking into consideration the trying circumstances.
“We had approximately 100 exhibitors attend this year’s event which was in-line with previous years, and the people I spoke too said they received solid inquiries on the first day when conditions where fine, while things were a bit tougher on the Saturday,” Camilla said.
“Some traveled really long distances to be here, so it was disappointing for us and them that the conditions weren't great, but most of them said they really enjoyed their time even if was just catching up with clients and socialising a bit as opposed to selling up big,” she said.
“Due to the rain on day two which cancelled the races we had to get a bit creative with the program to reflect the conditions so we conducted stick horse races at about the same times the usual races would have been held.
A full gallery of photos from the field days can be viewed by clicking on the photo below.
“The replacement event seemed to go over great guns as many supporters and exhibitors stuck around well into the early evening to have a few drinks while having a chat and a laugh while the replacement race events unfolded.”
The day was capped off with a stick horse cutting challenge that proved just as popular as the stick races, with some great sports getting in and having a go.
“It was like a Sunday session on a Saturday."
Camilla said she was grateful for the backing of the long-term exhibitors and sponsors that keep supporting the field days through thick and thin.
“It’s been tough going in the region as well as most of the state with the drought causing havoc with businesses involved in just about every kind of agricultural industry.
She said the silver-lining from the event was that most of the exhibitors she spoke to before they left said they’d definitely be back for 2015.
“When you have a natural event like this muck-up the schedule a bit, it’s really great to hear that the exhibitors will have your back in the future.
