A small settlement in the Mackenzie is getting behind an annual horse event, with the community helping in the set-up of an arena behind the historic Silverstream Hotel.

Following the inaugural Mackenzie Buckles Series in 2021, event organisers have found a more permanent historic home for the three weekends of this year’s event.

And residents have donated new fencing equipment to fence the new arena and have also sprayed and levelled the arena, on the land behind the 145-year-old pub in Kimbell, provided by its owner, about six kilometres west of Fairlie in the Mackenzie District.

On Friday, Mackenzie Buckle Series Club president Katey Scarlett said the group was “beyond grateful for the opportunity’’.

“We think it will be a very well run event at such a location, accommodation, restaurant meals, cold beverages and live music,” Scarlett said.

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The Mackenzie Buckle Series as an equine sports series offering three types of machine roping, as well as pole bending, steer undecorating​, barrel racing, and other new events have been added to the series’ timetable.

Fellow club member Liz Hampton said it would be nice to have a permanent arena for the series, with last year’s events being held in Fairlie and Winchester.

“Some people couldn’t make it to the events in Winchester, so it will be nice to get these people in this year’s event,’’ she said.

Following Monday’s announcement that the arena was being built in Kimbell, businesses have donated netting and deer posts and within four days, were ready to set up the area, she said.

Scarlett back up that positivity, and said organisers have had some ‘’amazing support’’ in the past few days.

“So we thank every single person/business and farm that has contributed towards these new facilities.”

She said people from the Mackenzie Buckle Series are already working hard for the fast approaching season kicking off in September.

“We hope to see all new people at any level, any type of horse, any age come along and have some fun and compete in this fun enthusiast series.”

Scarlett said participants for this year’s event include children as young as 2-years old competing on their mini ponies right up to senior competitors.

“MBS is about to come into the second year of running this coming September. We started off with a very strong series on our very first year, despite the challenges of Covid effecting the numbers.”

Silverstream Hotel owner Lockie Broadfoot, said the region saw a great series last year and thought hosting it behind the hotel was a great idea.

“We’re going to give it a try this year, and hopefully it goes well and will continue in the future,” Broadfoot said.

“We also host the Kimbell Day Games on the land, and we’re looking at making it a bit more of a multi-use facility.”

Broadfoot hopes the event brings people to the Mackenzie District and to the hotel where people can dine in the evening.

“It will be nice to provide that hospitality for people,” he said.

He said the Silverstream Hotel provided the land for this year’s event and plans on holding a few fundraisers before the season starts.

The hotel were also sponsors in last year’s event and provided a few prizes for the season.