The Man from Snowy River Challenge began in 1995 and is the showcase event of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival. Highlighting the special relationship between horse and rider, it is a quest to find today’s Man from Snowy River. Year after year the strength and depth of competition has increased and with a huge prize pool up for grabs the competition is hard fought and intense.
When it comes to the test of good all round horsemanship, the Man from Snowy River Challenge is second to none. Outstanding horsemanship and the skill of today’s Australian Stockmen and women are on display as they compete in the six grueling preliminary events set to challenge the most skilled and professional horse and rider teams. The Top Ten scoring riders move forward from the preliminary events to take centre stage on Sunday and earn their place in the final events.
The Man from Snowy River Challenge Committee has built a Challenge that offers both horsemen and women a unique opportunity to compete over three days in a variety of disciplines.
1. ANVIL ENTERPRISES & MILONG ANGUS STUD PACKHORSE
Based on an Australian tradition of packing through the mountains; competitors pack their horses and navigate an obstacle course resembling bush terrain. Open competitors are required to shoe and pack their horse securely before navigating the course, then returning to unpack.
2. SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN HELICOPTER’S BAREBACK OBSTACLE
Competitors complete a course riding bareback within a set time, demonstrating maximum skill, control, and manoeuvrability of their horse before showcasing a 60 second freestyle.
3. JC MILTON JIMMY SCAMMELL HORSESHOEING
Competitors prepare and shoe one foot of their nominated horse demonstrating their ability to maintain the horses welfare if they were to lose a shoe/s when traveling across bush terrain – ensuring their steed could complete the journey sure footed.
4. CYDECTIN PLATINUM STOCKHANDLING
A showcase of one of Australia’s true horse disciplines born on the plains of Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales over a 100 years ago. A rider on horseback ‘cuts out’ one beast from the mob of cattle in the yard or the ‘camp’ and block and turn the beast at least two or three times to prove to the judge that they have the beast under control; then take it out of the yard and through a course around pegs involving right and left hand turns in a figure eight, before guiding it through two pegs known as ‘the gate’.
5. 4CYTE CATTLEMEN’S CRACK
A combination event of two classic events- the whip crack and cross country. Competitors navigate a bush style obstacle course that will have whip crack targets throughout combined with cross country jumps. There is a set time to complete the course demonstrating horsemanship at the highest standard.
6. S & K WHITEHEAD EARTHMOVING STOCKMEN’S CUT OUT
Based on the working cow horse event, competitors process to work a released cow in a series of sections; a boxing section, ‘cutting the cow’, once the rider thinks the cow is ready – they proceed into the next section, which is blocking the beast down the fence, and then on to maneuver the beast into a figure of 8 pattern to complete their run
OPEN
1. Wild Hors Catch
Finalists attempt to halter a horse in an arena within 3 minutes and demonstrate young horse handling skills and horsemanship.
2. Stocksaddle Buckjump
Using the same stock saddle and gear used throughout, finalists attempt to retain their seat on a bucking horse for 8 seconds.
Ladies Wild Horse Catch
Finalists attempt to halter a horse in an arena within 3 minutes and demonstrate young horse handling skills and horsemanship.
Junior Final
The Top 5 Junior competitors attempt to highlight their skills and ability by working a beast.
OPEN
LADIES
JUNIOR
Phone: 02 6076 1992
Email: admin@bushfestival.com.au
Web: www.bushfestival.com.au
