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.
Three head of cattle are drafted and moved through a set course in a quiet and controlled manner in a set time of 7 minutes.
Competitors pack their competition horse, ensuring the bags are evenly packed and balanced, then lead the packhorse through a set course, finishing with the pack still evenly balanced and unpack and unsaddle the packhorse.
Competitors conduct a compulsory, mounted 30 seconds freestyle of whipcracking which must include a Sydney Flash. Then, at a fast canter and using best hand, competitors attempt to cut targets on a set course in a set time.
Riding bareback and using their own choice of headgear, competitors complete in a set time, a course designed to demonstrate maximum skill, control and maneuverability and then perform a compulsory freestyle lasting 30 seconds.
Open competitors attempt to competently and neatly shoe one hind and one fore hoof in a set time of 30 minutes. Junior competitors are to demonstrate the ability to prepare a shoe to one fore and one hind hoof, within a limit of 30 minutes. Only one horse handler is permitted entry into the horse shoeing shed with any one competitor.
Riding in the same stock saddle used throughout the competition, competitors complete a cross country course of approximately 2 km and 20 jumps.
OPEN
1. Paterson’s Brumby Catch
Finalists attempt to halter a horse in an arena within 3 minutes and demonstrate young horse handling skills and horsemanship.
2. Kosciusko 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 Silver Brumby Catch
Finalists attempt to halter a horse in an arena within 3 minutes and demonstrate young horse handling skills and horsemanship.
Jack Riley Junior Final
The Top 3 Junior competitors attempt to highlight their skills and ability negotiating a set working pattern.
OPEN
LADIES
JUNIOR
Phone: 02 6076 1992
Email: admin@bushfestival.com.au
Web: www.bushfestival.com.au