The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival - Stockman's Challenge is Australia's premier challenge. This was highlighted in the finals of the Brumby Catch, when all Top-Ten finalists caught their wild brumby for the first time since 2013. It is a great feat of horsemanship to accomplish in just three minutes including fitting-up the halter, controlling the brumby and teaching it to take the lead.
It was not only a remarkable event but the fact that at least four of the stockmen caught their brumby in under a minute, while pursuing it at speed around the rodeo arena, made for a historic series of quick catches - the likes of which has never been witnessed before.
Horse breaker and trainer, Bronson Macklinshaw of Armidale NSW, took top honours in the final of the Brumby Catch. He also rode a bounding bronco in the Stock Saddle Buckjump with good rhythm, while cracking his stock whip - to win both finals. He was awarded the prizes and $15,000 cheque from major sponsor RM Williams as the Man from Snowy River Champion 2015 with his Australian Stock Horse gelding 'Edenhope Smokey'.
Contract musterer and horse breaker, Emma O'Shea of Almaden FNQ, blitzed the field in the Ladies Challenge with a clear fifty-point lead going into the final of the Silver Brumby Catch. She asked her powerful stallion 'Hilite Dads Acres' to take it up a gear to reach the shoulder of a fleet-footed brumby colt and duly made a hand catch. It rankled and reared on the the halter lead but to no avail as O'Shea controlled it and kept encircling it, until subdued to a standstill.
There is speculation that O'Shea will consider entering the open competition in future years, once she has gained sufficient experience in riding roughstock. The Stock Saddle Buckjump often represents the nemesis of many riders and with her tall stature it is a difficult factor to overcome, given the short, sharp and powerful movements of a trained bucking horse.
O'Shea is certainly capable in all other events of the challenge, ranking seventh outright at Corryong in 2015. She also top-scored in the Horse Shoeing, ahead of former 'Golden Shoes' finalist and farrier, David Winter. What is certain is that Emma O'Shea is a great role model for other aspiring female competitors. It is hoped that she enjoys many years of successful competition in challenges and continues to entertain horse lovers with her high standard of horsemanship.
SEE ALL the Brumby Catch action in the MFSR event albums online http://www.horsephotographics.com.au
The next stockman's challenge is the King of the Ranges at Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter Valley of NSW. It is a picturesque setting beneath the abutments of the Great Dividing Range and where the the best 'spotted dog' damper is served!
© 2015 James Vereker. All Rights Reserved.
