The Man from Snowy River Challenge is the showcase event of the Festival, which endeavours to find the modern day Man from Snowy River. So when it comes to the test of good, all round horsemanship, the Man from Snowy River Challenge, is second to none. You’ll be amazed at the horsemanship and skill of today’s Australian Stockman. All their skills will be on display as these horsemen and women compete in the six gruelling preliminary events set to challenge the most skilled of professional riders and horses. With the Top Ten gaining a place in the two final events, the ‘Brumby Catch’ and the ‘Stock Saddle Buckjump’!
Above: winner Scott Bandy taking out the 2013 Man From Snowy River Challenge for the fourth time. Second win on ASH Stallion Knights Top That. Amongst other Major prizes Scott wins an RM Williams Trophy Saddle – RM Williams has had a long term relationship with The Challenge and have kindly provided the Challenge Committee with this trophy saddle.
Introducing in 2013 to The Man From Snowy River Challenge is two brand new events!
The Ladies Silver Brumby Catch
In the Ladies Silver Brumby Catch Finalists attempt to rope and catch a Brumby in an arena within 3 minutes.
The Lady Champion will be the competitor with the highest aggregate score over the 3 days of competition.
Trophy kindly Sponsored by Joan Sinclair in memory of Susan Blyton
The Jack Riley Junior Time Trial
The Jack Riley Junior Time Trial has been introduced this year for the Top 3 Junior competitors to highlight their skills and ability negotiating a set course on Sunday April 7th.
The winner of the final will be the competitor who correctly completes the course in the fastest time.
The Junior Champion will be the competitor with the highest aggregate score over the 3 days of competition.
Man From Snowy River 2012 winner David Mitchell
David Mitchell has taken home the winners cheque of $15,000, for the second time claimnig victory in the 2012 Man From Snowy River Challenge. Davids also won the Challenge in 2010.
Riding Soda Oxide and going into the “RM Williams Challenge Finals” with the leading score from the preliminary events. David top scored in the Packhorse, was equal second in the Stock Handling with Ben Campbell, third in the Horse Shoeing and fourth in the Whipcrack and Bareback Obstacle.
Man From Snowy River 2011 winner Scott Bandy
Riding “Knights Top That” Scott Bandy claimed a 53 point victory in the 2011 Planet Power Stockman’s Challenge, becoming the first competitor to win three MFSR Challenges. He first won in 1996 and again in 2000.
“Knights Top That”, a top performing campdraft stallion owned by Terry Hillier, was making his challenge debut. Before the challenge Scott had just two weeks to establish a winning bond with the horse.
Scott, aged 37, a property manager at Tumut, enjoys competing in stockman’s challenges and campdrafting and is the president of the Tumut Campdraft committee.
Former APRA All Round and Saddle Bronc Champion, Scott had decided to hang up his rodeo spurs with his final rodeo ride being at Tumut Rodeo on April 16, 2011. However tragedy struck when his bronc reared and fell on him causing life threatening internal injuries. He was taken to Tumut Hospital and then flown to Canberra Hospital where he underwent surgery. Three weeks later Scott was home and making a good recovery. Will Scott ride at MFSR 2012? His many friends wish him well and hope to see this legend riding for his fourth MFSR Challenge title.
Man From Snowy River Challenge 2009 Winner Morgan Webb
Morgan Webb, like the man in Banjo Paterson’s famous poem “The Man From Snowy River”, was just a stripling when at his first attempt he captured the coveted Modern Man from Snowy River title.
The nineteen-year-old, who cut his teeth mustering with his family in the Snowy Mountain foothills around Tumut, saddled up Bolt , a horse described as a real bucker, and a very dirty horse, but one with the attitude to win, for the 2009 challenge. A horsebreaker by trade, Morgan had the upper hand with Bolt throughout the gruelling challenge. On the way to taking the open challenge title Morgan won the two finals events – the Brumby Catch and Buckjump. Morgan and Bolt also won the respective prizes for the Top Scoring Rookie Rider and Rookie Horse.
Morgan continued working as a horsebreaker until late 2010, with his new year plans including a trip to the United States.
Open |
Women |
Junior |
|
1995 |
Bill Willoughby |
Tarina Connley |
|
1996 |
Scott Bandy |
Jocelyn Paton |
|
1998 |
Ron Connely |
Jocelyn Paton |
Jim Laverty |
1999 |
Ron Connely |
Jocelyn Paton |
Mark Paterson |
1999 |
Barry Paton |
|
|
2000 |
Scott Bandy |
Linda Adams |
Jim Laverty |
2001 |
Ben Hall |
Jocelyn Paton |
Ryan Pendergast |
2002 |
Geoff Willis |
Linda Adams |
David Mitchell |
2003 |
Jason Leitch |
Julie Willoughby |
David Mitchell |
2004 |
Jason Leitch |
Jess Newton |
Tyler Pendergast |
2005 |
Geoff Willis |
Sarah Connley |
Rhys Angland |
2005 |
|
Megan Nankervis |
|
2006 |
Sam Baylis |
Sarah Connley |
Morgan Webb |
2007 |
Ryan Pendergast |
Christy Connor |
John Mitchell |
2008 |
Equine Influenza |
|
|
2009 |
Morgan Webb |
Christy Connor |
Daryl Baines |
2010 |
David Mitchell |
Christy Connor |
Ben Donehue |
2011 |
Scott Bandy |
Malory Nankervis |
Lane Pendergast |
2011 |
|
|
William Harrison |
2012 |
David Mitchell |
Kirby Nankervis |
William Harrison |
2013 |
Scott Bandy |
Christy Connor |
William Harrison |
RM Williams Khancoban Station Tom Groggin Station Planet Power Australain Stock Horse Society ANZ
& The Hawkesbury River Saddle Company
Heath & Krissy Harris are proud to be associated with an event that helps keep our bush heritage skills to the forefront. A Stockmaster Fender Saddle will be on offer for the overall Ladies’ Champion.
Hawkesbury River Saddle Company will have a trade stand at the Bush Festival and look forward to meeting the competitors and spectators.