Cow horse enthusiasts hit Coonamble last weekend to try their hand at the states only Australian Stockmans Challenge Association affiliated event in NSW.
More than 150 entries completed the dry work pattern and showcased their stock handling skills in the wet work before Tumut based couple Emma O'Shea and Morgan Webb took out the top two titles.
The small town committee started the event three years ago and also host a jackpot campdraft in conjunction with the challenge.
Competitors across the six challenge categories vied for over $14,000 in prize money plus prizes.
Joanne Francis, Toowomba, Queensland, was one of the dry work judges who was looking for a “good work horse that can also work cattle”.
“A comfortable horse, with good temperament, very comfortable actions, a horse that can flow and do everything that is asked off them” was the criteria Ms Francis was looking for.
Ms Francis attended the inaugural Coonamble challenge and was honored to come back to judge.
“It was an absolute pleasure judging across all the classes, the open horses were of a very high standard and with 13 points between 10 horses, the final was a great spectacle.”
Coonamble Challenge and Campdraft winners:
- Encouragement Challenge Tom Denson, Tumut – Charlotte
- Rookie Challenge Morgan Webb, Tumut – Dolgwili Norman
- Classic Challenge Emma O’Shea, Tumut – One Nights Stand
- Open Challenge Morgan Webb, Tumut – Dolgwili Norman
- Junior Challenge Beccy Wilson, Gunnedah – Playmore Rock N Roll
- Juvenile Challenge Tom Wilson, Gunnedah – Playmore Rock N Roll
- Maiden Campdraft Morgan Webb, Tumut – Blue Lady
- Novice Campdraft John Hardie, Warren – Shifter
- Open Campdraft Christine Hall, Goondiwindi – Congirl
- Juvenile Campdraft Tom Denson, Tumut – Charlotte
- Junior Campdraft Eden Allen, Baradine – Miss Piggy
- Most Successful Horse Dolgwili Norman