TALENTED up-and-coming horse riders from across the region showcased their skills at the 13th annual Junior Stockman's Challenge run by the Murrurundi Pony Club on the weekend.
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More than 40 children competed in six categories - Pack Saddle, Hoof Care, Whip Crack, Cattle Handling, Bareback and Obstacle Course - with the top three scoring competitors for each age group battling it out in the final on Sunday.
Murrururndi Pony Club president Lissa Baxter said competitors came all the way from Corryong in Victoria to Walcha in New South Wales to compete against local talent from Merriwa, Quirindi, Scone, Murrurundi, Timor and Duri.
"The event is a junior introduction to the King of the Ranges in February," Lissa explained.
"It's where it all starts. The idea is they start when they're little and go through the motions. As they get older it gets tougher and by the time they're 14 they're ready to compete in the big ones."
Lissa said the 2019 event was the best she's experienced and the small, hard-working committee know how to run an event that just "works".
"Every year it just seems to run a bit smoother," she said.
We're extremely lucky with continuous sponsorship and support of the event.
- Lissa Baxter - Murrurundi Pony Club president
On the Saturday night the kids gathered for some poetry and to have a bit of fun after a great day of competition.
"Saturday night is always my favourite, it's always a bit of a muck-around," Lissa said.
"This year we tried something different and we did a 'Hoof and Woof'.
"Our kids love their poetry also and every year they get up and do a little bit."
The overall winner for the 2019 Junior Stockman's Challenge was Merriwa's Jack Mobberley, while Lachie Provost (8 and under), Abby Ashford (9 to 11) and Makayla Mobberley (11 to 13) claimed the remaining divisions.
"The locals are very competitive, the event is predominately won by locals. They're all very competitive riders and they have a lot of fun doing it," Lissa added.
"We're extremely lucky with continuous sponsorship and support of the event. We're a small committee but we get the job done."
Murrurundi Junior Stockman's Challenge 2019 Results
Pack Saddle - 8 & Under: 1st Sammy Easey, 2nd Belinda Lawler, 3rd Cooper Morgan, 4th Lachie Provost, 5th Levi Morgan
9 to 11: 1st Grace Stenhouse, 2nd Georgia Maben, 3rd Ben Patterson, 4th Abby Ashford, 5th Bridie Palmer
11 to 13: 1st Allie Palmer, 2nd Harrison Baxter, 3rd Mackayla Jarrett, 4th Makayla Mobberley, 5th Cooper Burch
13 to 15: 1st Bridie Crowe, 2nd Dusty Hagon, 3rd Ally Taylor, 4th Jorji Taaffe, 5th Jack Mobberley
Hoof Care - 8 & Under: 1st Belinda Lawler, 2nd Lachie Provost, 3rd Mitchell Maben, 4th Sammy Easey, 5th Tom Lawler
9 to 11: 1st Abby Ashford, 2nd Ben Patterson, 3rd Georgia Maben, 4th Grace Stenhouse, 5th Bridie Palmer
11 to 13: 1st Darcy Taaffe, 2nd Makayla Mobberley, 3rd Harrison Baxter, 4th Matilda Jackson, 5th Cooper Burch
13 to 15: 1st Harry Hagon, 2nd Lilly Hollis, 3rd Ally Taylor, 4th Jack Mobberley, 5th Jorji Taaffe
Whip Crack - 8 & Under: 1st Levi Morgan, 2nd Sammy Easey, 3rd Belinda Lawler, 4th Mitchell Maben, 5th Tom Lawler
9 to 11: 1st Abby Ashford, 2nd Ben Patterson, 3rd Grace Stenhouse, 4th Bridie Palmer, 5th Georgia Maben
11 to 13: 1st Cooper Burch, 2nd Makayla Mobberley, 3rd Paige Baxter, 4th Ned Hagon, 5th Allyson Irwin
13 to 15: 1st Jack Mobberley, 2nd Jorji Taaffe, 3rd Harry Hagon, 4th Dusty Hagon, 5th Jessica Swanton
Cattle Handling - 8 & Under: 1st Lachie Provost, 2nd Belinda Lawler, 3rd Levi Morgan, 4th Tom Lawler, 5th Cooper Morgan
9 to 11: 1st Ben Patterson, 2nd Grace Stenhouse, 3rd Tahlia Kelly, 4th Archie Curtis, 5th Bridie Palmer
11 to 13: 1st Makayla Mobberley, 2nd Allie Palmer, 3rd Mackayla Jarrett, 4th Ella Watson, 5th Allyson Irwin
13 to 15: 1st Jack Mobberley, 2nd Ally Taylor, 3rd Bridie Crowe, 4th Lilly Hollis, 5th Harry Hagon
Bareback - 8 & Under: 1st Lachie Provost, 2nd Sammy Easey, 3rd Mitchell Maben, 4th Cooper Morgan, 5th Levi Morgan
9 to 11: 1st Abby Ashford, 2nd Georgia Maben, 3rd Bridie Palmer, 4th Grace Stenhouse, 5th Ben Patterson
11 to 13: 1st Makayla Mobberley, 2nd Ned Hagon, 3rd Matilda Jackson, 4th Mackayla Jarrett, 5th Darcy Taaffe
13 to 15: 1st Harry Hagon, 2nd Jack Mobberley, 3rd Dusty Hagon, 4th Lilly Hollis, 5th Jorji Taaffe
Obstacle Course - 8 & Under: 1st Sammy Easey, 2nd Mitchell Maben, 3rd Lachie Provost, 4th Cooper Morgan, 5th Levi Morgan
9 to 11: 1st Georgia Maben, 2nd Grace Stenhouse, 3rd Ben Patterson, 4th Bridie Palmer, 5th Abby Ashford
11 to 13: 1st Ned Hagon, 2nd Mackayla Jarrett, 3rd Harrison Baxter, 4th Matilda Jackson, 5th Darcy Taaffe
13 to 15: 1st Dusty Hagon, 2nd Jorji Taaffe, 3rd Jessica Swanton, 4th Harry Hagon, 5th Jack Mobberley
Best Presented - Juniors: Georgia Maben Seniors: Allyson Irwin
Cut Out - Juniors: Archie Curtis Seniors: Jack Mobberley
Equitation - U9: Levi Morgan 9-11: Georgia Maben 11-13: Ned Hagon 3-15: Dusty Hagon
Encouragement - Juniors: Jessy Trowbridge Seniors: Jesen Bettens, Sarah Randle, Jed Curtis
Registered ASH with the Highest Pointscore ASH Rug and Sash: Harry Hagon
Overall Winners -
8 & Under: 1 Buckle - Lachie Provost 2 Bridle - Sammy Easey 3 Steve Kemp Whip - Belinda Lawler
9 to 11: 1 Buckle - Abby Ashford 2 Bridle - Grace Stenhouse 3 Steve Kemp Whip - Ben Patterson
11 to 13: 1 Buckle - Makayla Mobberley 2 Bridle - Ned Hagon 3 Steve Kemp Whip - Mackayla Jarrett
13 to 15: 1 Buckle - Jack Mobberley 2 Bridle - Harry Hagon 3 Steve Kemp Whip - Dusty Hagon
King of the Ranges Free Entry: Dusty Hagon
Overall Highest Point Score: Jack Mobberley
Caitlin Reid
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Caitlin Reid is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, focussing on a range of topics including Tamworth Regional Council, education, property and entertainment. To get in touch, email caitlin.reid@austcommunitymedia.com.au
