Riders up for a challenge as stockman's series kicks off
THE Heywood Stockman’s Challenge attracted 94 riders, setting the scene for a series of five events to be run through western Victoria over coming months.
The event catered for all ages, ranging from tiny tots with their own section, as well as divisions for encouragement level, juniors, novice, green horse and open riders. As Australian riders are looking to new sports to enjoy, the Stockman’s Challenge is becoming one of the most popular all around the country. It helps riders improve their balance and skills for other disciplines like mounted games, polocrosse, jumping and tent pegging, as well as getting a horse used to all kinds of distractions.
It uses an obstacle course including ramps, small jumps, gates to open and close, and picking up and carrying objects to test the combinations.
Points are scored for each obstacle and the highest point score wins and sometimes there are awards for different breeds like Australian Stock Horses, Quarter Horse and Thoroughbreds.
The Heywood event is the first of a newly established “super series” that includes five Stockman’s Challenges to be completed.
The next one is on Sunday, February 12, at Tyrendarra following Saturday’s annual show, which has quite a large program of open events, showjumping, HRCAV and breed classes.
Challenges at Horsham on February 19, Glenfield on March 11-12 and Harrow on April 29-30 make up the rest of the series.
GALLERY
(Click any image to expand)
ABOVE (left to right):
Ylana Grigg on Dino.
Pa-Lin on Thor.
Layla Jacobson and Santana.
Emily Eastman on High Country Miles.
Novice winner Jodie Smith-Deland on Ripp.
Erin Jago on Four Star Coronel. .
Elizabeth Edgar on Jimmy.
Junior winner Maddison Downes on Flicka.
Jacqueline Coull on Flash.
Alan Nicholls on Colby.
Open winner Darren Holmberg on Rosie.
Annette Thomas on Jed.
Brianna Jones on Salem.
All images: AMANDA WARD
Heywood Challenge Results
Encourage
1st - Jodie Smith-Deland - Ripp
2nd - Judy Jenkin - Finnius
3rd - Kira Lee - Drive to the Stars
4th - Erin Jago - Four Star Coronel
5th - Susan McKenry - Riverbend Special Edition
6th - Trevor Roulston - Kalimna xbox Novice
1st - Daryl Hill - Opinionada
2nd - Indiana Latchman - Will
3rd - Jade Danby - Get Carter
4th - Benni Rosmann - Superman Stan
5th - Alan Nicholis - Colby
6th - Emma Grigg – Dodge
Green Horse
1st - Ian James - Classic
2nd - Simon Ellul - Jazz
3rd - Kelleigh Henzen - Bushdrift Broadway
Junior
1st - Maddison Downes - Flicka
2nd - Emily Eastman - High Country Miles
3rd - Montana Dickerson - Bushdrift Fleetwood
4th - Bridget Mitchell Kenny - Lone Pine Darby
5th - Samantha Foster - HP Jimmi Cricket
6th - Laura Featherston – Annie
Open
1st - Darren Holmberg - Rosie
2nd - Lynda Field - Calypso
3rd - Annette Thomas - Jed
4th - Wayne Field - Walter
5th - Kellie Freeman - Freemans Cocomah Yindi
6th - Tj Chamberlain - Brandie
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