Taree Showground could be considered a second home for Tom McCarthy and his horse Stingray.
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The dynamic duo have been a force in horse riding events for about 20 years, with the 86-year-old rider making double the amount of appearances at the annual show.
"I've been competing at Taree Show for about 40 years," Tom said.
"Stingray is 24-year-old and won three ribbons at Taree this year."
The local show isn't their only foray into competition.
"I try to get to shows between Newcastle and Macksville every year," Tom explained.
"He's (Stingray) won a wardrobe full of ribbons. He once won 10 ribbons in Newcastle and nine at Gloucester."
One standout moment Tom recalled was when a five-year-old Stingray entered a stockhorse competition.
The horse bested most of the competition across campdraft, stockhorse workout, station horse workout and stockhorse lead class events.
"There were 39 horses on the day and when they added up the points, Stingray placed second," Tom said.
Their longstanding bond is unbreakable.
"He's a beautiful horse, I've never had to chastise him or had a problem," Tom smiled.
Stingray is Tom's second horse after turning out with Glory in years gone by.
Tom was a taxi driver for 52 years and is enjoying his retirement. However, his days on horseback are far from over.