The bollards belonged to the Orange Pony Club and had been erected in the lead-up to last weekend’s state dressage championships.

Witnesses report-ed seeing the youths leave the showground with the equipment at about 9pm, however, they were unable to stop them and recover the goods.

Orange Pony Club treasurer Libby Dawes said it appeared the youths had simply taken the items to play with them.

“It’s really just a pain,” she said.

“The police did a good job and got them back.

“They’d just been thrown around the area near the showground.”

Mrs Dawes said theft was an ongoing issue at the showground.

“Security is a problem here,” she said.

“We always tell competitors to keep everything locked up.”

Mrs Dawes said she didn’t think Orange was the only place with a crime problem.

“It happens in other towns, it’s just one of those things, I think it’s where it’s situated.”

tracey.prisk@ruralpress.com