2008 Snowy River Stockman's Challenge

Download Entry Form& Conditions of Entry

Proudly Sponsored by Service One Members Banking

Imagine Flintstones Flying, Perspiration flowing, every muscle working to breaking point as horse and rider work as one to utilize every ounce of skill they can muster. Their Horsemanship (and womanship!) passed down through the generations, has brought them here today, to fight tooth and nail for this Stockman’s Title:

“CHAMPION 2008 SNOWY RIVER STOCKMAN'S CHALLENGE”

And share in a cash pool of $10,000 prize money and great prizes!

WELL DON’T JUST IMAGINE IT! COME AND BE PART OF IT!!!

OPEN CHAMPION- $5,000 cash, John Shortt Trophy Saddle, Eddie Fisher trophy buckle, trophy rug plus prizes from Drizabone, R.M.Williams and more!

TOP SCORING WOMAN- $1,000 cash, Eddie Fisher buckle, trophy rug plus prizes

CHAMPION VETERAN STOCKMAN- $500 cash, trophy rug plus prizes.

CHAMPION JUNIOR STOCKMAN- $500 cash, Eddie Fisher buckle, trophy rug plus prizes.

Top Ten competitors receive cash plus great prizes and each 1st, 2nd & 3rd placings in each challenge event receive cash and prizes also!

The Stockman’s Challenge is a uniquely Australian Stockman’s event. The six preliminary and two final events display skills that Stockmen and women needed to have in order to successfully work and live in our harsh Australian Outback and rugged Mountain Ranges.

Pack horse event: Very few horsemen use packhorses these days and the Stockmans Challenge gives our younger generation the chance to see how it was done before the “Trayback truck” made them obsolete!

The Horseshoeing event is a tough one for those who have given way for the professional Farrier to keep their horses hoofs shod. Particularly with a time limit of 30 minutes to shoe a front and hind leg, you’re sure to see a few brows perspiring!

The Whipcrack event is one which demands accuracy of the whip and control of the horse to cut targets and a lot of talent for the freestyle section.

The Stockhandling event is a test of horse and rider, of their cattle handling skills. It is a variation to the traditional “Campdrafting” as competitors are required to keep the cattle calm and move them through various obstacles as though they were in the bush or at the cattle yards.

The Cross Country event is an event which test, more the skills of the modern day horseman, than the bushman of yesteryear (most bushmen would have never jumped such jumps unless it was totally necessary). The course is made up of approximately 18 solid jumps, consisting of rocks, logs, trees, river, banks etc. It is a great spectator event, as competitors are encouraged to crack their whips over certain jumps whilst completing the course in a stock saddle.

The Bareback Obstacle is the last preliminary event, which is also one for the modern day horseman. The event is completed totally without saddle and their choice of headgear. This event is full of showmanship and horsemanship skills as riders complete 8 obstacles and then have 20 seconds to perform freestyle which could include anything from lying their horse down to cantering whilst sitting backwards on them with only a piece of string around their neck!

Points are awarded for each event and the top 10 scoring competitors go on to complete two final events on Sunday.

The first is the Brumby Catch and Handle event. This is a traditional skill unique to the Snowy Mountains and Australian Outback. Competitors are required to catch a loose Brumby from their saddled horse. Points are awarded for care and skill in catching the Brumby and their ability to teach them to lead.

The second final event is a timed Obstacle event. Competitors are given a variety of obstacles and stockman skills to complete (including Whipcrack targets, jumps, river crossing, packhorse, camp skills) and the fastest time wins. The top scorer then claims the title of Snowy River Stockman’s Challenge Open Champio

This year new competitors to the event can enter individual events, to get a taste of the action and an insight into how they are run.

Please Download the Entry Form and Conditions of Entry.

Please contact Challenge Manager on BH: 02 6456 5005 and

AH: 02 6456 5033 or info@snowyriverfestival.com for further information.