A race day in the Hokianga tomorrow has just one rule - no thoroughbreds allowed.
However, every kind of farm hack, nag and pony is welcome to take part in the annual Brumby Family Race Day at the historic Rawene racecourse.
Thirteen events are planned including a kids' race, golden oldies race, stockman's challenge and relay races. Each will be sponsored by a local business with a $200 purse to be split among the winning jockeys.
Entrants are expected from around the Far North but especially places like Mitimiti and Horeke, where tractors and motorbikes have yet to push horses out of the picture.
Other attractions will include live music, bouncy castle, kids' cars, kai and fire engine rides. Spectators will be able to bet by raffle to keep the race day legally above board.
Organiser Rob Pink said the proceeds would go to the Hokianga Treks for Kids Trust, which teaches children outdoor skills and takes them on multi-day horse treks, sleeping at marae along the way.
Mr Pink, 64, gets to know the local children through his day job as driver of the Rawene, Omanaia and Whirinaki school bus. At least three of his current crop of riding students will be racing tomorrow.
"These kids just love to ride," he said. "Even if they were riding bareback and came last in a race they'd have big smiles, they love riding so much."
The action is expected to get under way about 10am.
The brumby races will be about 1500m with the feature race of the day over 2500m, "like the Melbourne Cup". More than 1000 people attended last year.