| Stockmans Challenge 101. | |
| The equine sport known as the Stockmans Challenge is growing in popularity and as you will find out if you read further, it is a flexible sport that is fairly easy for local show societys to run. As we all know these days it's not uncommon to see competitors riding in Cutting shows one weekend and then Campdrafts and/or challenges the next. So for all you cutting enthusiasts out there who what to know more about the sport or for those of you who would like to see a Stockmans Challenge run at your local ag show, Queensland based Photographer Lauren Byrne has kindly submitted the following article and photos as an introduction to the sport of the Stockmans Challenge. Thanks Lauren. | |
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Andrew Currie competing in the 2009 Aggrow open challenge on Early Oak |
| The Stockman's Challenge is an event designed to showcase the skills of both horse and rider by incorporating activities that reflect the skills and maneuvers required by stockmen and their horses to work stock. Challenges have been a feature on the Australian campdrafting circuit for approximately 20 years but its increasing popularity, prestige and prize money has revolutionized the event. Horses are now bred and trained specifically for challenge competition. Stockman's Challenges can now, without doubt, be classified as an equine discipline in its own right. |
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Rachel Leitch in the two handed stage of the 2009 Aggrow challenge |
| To encourage participation of all levels of horse and rider and better contention between competitors, the Stockman's Challenge is often split into several competitions classed on the age of the horse and/or the experience of the rider. The exact criteria for each class of competition is the decision of the organisers for each individual event. However, futurity challenges usually involves horses up to 5 years old but in more recent times, some competitions have expanded this criterion to include 5 year old horses. Rookie challenges, or ringers challenges as they are sometimes referred to, are reserved for riders who have not won, or in some cases, placed, in a previous challenge. Winners of drafts or cuttings may also be ineligible for this class at some events. Professional horse trainers are also exempt. Horses of any age, including those eligible for futurities, and riders of any level, including beginners, can compete in an open challenge. |
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Highly successful challenge competitor Huon Smith competing in the dry work phase of the 2009 open challenge at Springsure |
Each challenge comprises of a combination of several stages that incorporate both 'dry' and 'wet' work; that is, with or without cattle. The dry work stage of the competition incorporates the use of a reining-like pattern which includes maneuvers such as fast and slow circles, turnarounds, lead changes and roll backs. These maneuvers have all been developed from the skills needed to 'work a cow' and this stage is judged on criteria such as correctness, willingness, calmness and finesse. In addition to the dry pattern some competitions have also incorporated a led class as a display of the horses' conformation and style or a trail course comprising of obstacles such as gates, bridges and backing poles to test the handling or 'brokenness' of the horses. |
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Ray Thieme competing in the campdraft phase of the 2009 Capella Challenge |
| Wet work may include two handed cutting, campdraft or working cow horse and is judged on the how well the horse watches and works a beast in a timely fashion with ease and smoothness. Traditionally, challenges have comprised of a dry work pattern and a campdraft for the wet stage, but nowadays the challenge structure is limited only by the organisers imagination. The benefit of having no specific set structure is that the stages of competition can be molded to suit the circumstances, such as facilities, number and type of stock available. This factor has undoubtedly aided in the ever increasing popularity of the Stockman's Challenge not only for event organisers but also for competitors who enjoy the variety of each individual competition. Words and photos by Lauren Byrne to see more of Laurens photos click here. |
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Karen Howard carrying the swag as part of the trail class section of the 2009 open Dingo challenge |
| So there you have it an introduction to the sport of the Stockmans Challenge. Anyone out there who would like their challenge event listed on justcuttin' can submit details via email to admin@justcuttin.com.au | |
