THE inaugural Best of the West Stockman’s Challenge will test its competitors this weekend as they compete in challenges.
Using the same horse and saddle throughout the competition, riders must demonstrate skills that were essential for survival for the pioneers and stockman of the past.
The challenge gives an opportunity for horsemen and women to compete over two days in a variety of disciplines including pack saddle, horse shoeing, stock handling, bushman’s whip crack, bareback obstacles and crosscountry riding.
Each horse and rider will have an opportunity to show off their skills in difficult tasks.
Boyup Brook Working Horse Club vice-president Jim Laverty said the WA event was inspired by the famous Man From Snowy River Challenge in Corryong, Victoria.
Mr Laverty grew up in the Snowy Mountains and has competed in the Corryong event since it started in 1998. He won a couple of junior events then went into the open section and made the final three times.
“It showcased a lot about what horsemen and women could do and it bought back a bit of our heritage when we were using pack saddles,” Mr Laverty said.
In pioneering days, stockman often worked alone or in small groups in some of WA’s most isolated areas.
The Best of the West Challenge committee has created a challenge which aims to highlight exceptional all-round horsemanship and stock handling skills in six preliminary events.
The event will be held at the Dardanup Equestrian Centre on April 20-22.
