LOCALS Lynda MacCallum and Matt Caban will head over to the United States next month to compete in a non-pro cutting horse challenge.
The duo have qualified for the Australian team for the first time and are now set to take on the USA’s best at El Rancho, Murietta, California, from September 10-17.
Qualification was based on a points system, with athletes selected from what they won throughout the first half of the year.
While at the event, Australian riders will get a partner from the USA’s top eight, who then have to provide two horses. Both nations’ points are tallied together, making it a real team challenge.
MacCallum said it was exciting for two Upper Hunter riders to be picked in a national team which consisted of members from right across the Eastern Seaboard.
“I never thought I’d represent Australia,” she said.
“There’s a challenge in that we are not riding our own horses; that will be difficult but in the USA they have some fantastic cutting horses.”
Caban added that he was looking forward to the rare opportunity.
“United States cutting is the pinnacle so to be able to go over there, compete on some great horses and meet some new people will be amazing,” he said.
“It’ll be a great experience, probably one that you’ll only do once in your life.”
Following the competition, MacCallum will then head to Texas so she can work with Australian trainer John Mitchell.
