WHAT do you get when you pit a tractor, a Volvo driven in reverse, a horse, a runner, and a bicycle rider against each other?
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The answer is one interesting race and all part of the spectacle of the Millamolong John Davis Volvo Polo Carnival, according to Millamolong Polo Club president Andrew Ashton.
The unusual race was part of Sunday's line-up at the weekend-long carnival, but Saturday’s crowd witnessed a different version of the race when it was Volvo versus horse.
“It was really close, the car only won by about five yards,” Mr Ashton said.
“The car versus horse race is always a favourite, but we’ve tweaked it so it’s so close.”
The high-adrenalin spectacle of horses galloping down a polo field at full speed may have been the main event, but with a lolly drop, a vintage car rally and pony rides, yesterday was a true family day out, Mr Ashton said.
“The fast polo is always a real crowd ripper ... but the lolly drop is a big family event,” he said.
“Because Monday is a school day, Sunday is a big family day with entertainment for the kids.”
As of lunchtime yesterday more than 2000 people had streamed through the gates over the weekend.
With live music entertaining crowds until late, Saturday was more of a party day Mr Ashton said, with TV show Sunrise broadcasting its weather from the carnival in the morning.
In its early days, the annual carnival attracted people wanting to enjoy the local food and wine on offer.
“As the event grew people came more for the events,” Mr Ashton said.
“There are some technical aspects [to polo], but what you see is horses going full gallop ... it’s like rugby on horseback with a cross between hockey.”
All proceeds from a raffle held over the weekend and a proportion of the carnival’s profits will go to charities Riding for the Disabled (RDA) and CARE Australia.