Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge a huge success

The Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft was held last weekend and received a great response from competitors and spectators. Over $120,000 of prizemoney was handed out across almost 20 events during the week.   

 President Cheyne Williams said he was extremely impressed by the competition this year. “It’s great to see the best horsemen and women back in Cloncurry. Top class competitors make the long trip up here every year which says a lot about the event we run. I’d like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, spectators, competitors and committee members for making it a week to remember.”

Kingaroy competitor Jon Templeton had a hugely successful campaign, taking out the Ron Wall Memorial Derby and Classic Challenges. A massive accomplishment, coming from the bottom of the field with his horse ROYALLE JEOPARDY in the Classic final, to be crowned champions. This is Templeton’s third Classic win and when asked how many he’d like to win, he said “doesn’t have to have a limit does it….as many as I can fit in!”  

Visit the Stockman’s Challenge Facebook page for all results and keep an eye on the website for information about next year’s event!

Stockman’s Challenge kicks off next week

The Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft is ready to host the best horsemen and women in the country, with their annual event kicking off next week. With domestic travel becoming increasingly popular, the committee are expecting a healthy number of spectators.

President Cheyne Williams said the committee are monitoring the COVID situation quite closely. “We’ve worked really hard to put on the event this year. Unfortunately, we still find ourselves in a pandemic, but we’re determined for our event to go ahead. We’re asking all competitors and spectators who are traveling to the region to keep an eye on contact tracing hot spots in case they’ve come into contact on their way here,” Mr Williams said.

Details for the Saturday night rodeo, a novelty and now signature event on the Stockman’s Challenge program, were released last week. The crowd will be amused by the Open Saddle Bronc, Bullock Ride and fan favourite, the Wild Poley Ride. Party goers will be entertained all night with Trent Bell and his band playing after the rodeo until late. It will be a jam packed week of entertainment that includes elite Challenge and Campdraft competition, State of Origin on the big screen Wednesday night, bar and live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights and rodeo.

Entry to this prestigious event is FREE, although tickets to Saturday must be acquired through Eventbrite - Click here

Full program details are available from the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft website at www.currychallenge.com.au

Stockman’s Challenge holds final campdraft before main event

It seems every time you look, the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft are holding another event! The Cloncurry Shire Council Show Draft was held on the weekend and drew a healthy number of competitors. 

Winner of the Novice draft and 2019 Classic finalist, Rob Carn, was grateful for another opportunity to work his horses. “I love coming to this multi-million dollar facility and doing the sport we love. Thanks to the committee and sponsors for putting on this fun little draft and I can’t wait to come back in July”, he said. 

Joining Rob in the winners circle was Emily Curr who took out the Ladies Draft on her horse Garter. The Show Draft was a great opportunity for local riders to work on newly acquired skills from the ‘Ladies Horsemanship Clinic’, organised by Council and supported by Sisters of the North and the National Resilience and Recovery Agency. 

Preparation is well underway for the Stockman’s Challenge on July 13-18. The program is live on their website and nominations open June 14. There’s entertainment for everyone with live music, rodeo, bar and the best display of horsemanship in the country. 

Follow their website and Facebook for the latest information.

The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge Honour’s a Great Man

The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft are proud to announce an extra event to this year’s program, the ‘Ron Wall Memorial Derby Challenge’ sponsored by Lemmons Store. President Cheyne Williams said, “It’s a privilege to name our Derby Challenge after Ron. This was an easy decision given the time Ron spent in the north.”

“Not only has he competed at Cloncurry more than any other competitor, he won the challenge in 1997 and 1999 along with numerous placings over the years. Ron devoted the later part of life sharing his knowledge holding clinics on stations and in towns across Northern Australia. This namesake will ensure that his legacy is long remembered,” Mr Williams said.

The Derby Challenge is restricted to five-year old horses, giving them a unique opportunity to compete in their own class. With a prize pool of $15,000 up for grabs and a first place prize of $8,000, it’s sure to be a major draw card for this year’s event.

The committee have a massive week planned. With a record breaking $120,000 + of prizemoney across the Challenge and Campdraft events, it is sure to be a memorable occasion.

Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available, please visit their website. To stay in the loop with event information, follow their Facebook, Instagram and sign up to their online newsletter.

Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge and Campdraft gives the green light for 2021

The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft committee are welcoming the announcement that their event will go ahead in 2021. Due to the pandemic, the Stockman’s Challenge was forced to cancel their annual event last year, to ensure the safety of their community and industry.

President Cheyne Williams is looking forward to Cloncurry once again hosting one of the most prestigious equine events in the country. “It was a hard decision to cancel the Challenge last year, but the right one. We’re looking forward to this year’s event being one of the best yet! We’re introducing the Derby Challenge, which gives five-year old horses a unique opportunity to compete in their own class, due to last year’s cancellation,” Mr Williams said.

The Cloncurry Equestrian Centre will open its gates from Saturday 10 July for competitors. The committee are currently welcoming brands and businesses to learn about sponsorship opportunities that can provide exposure to a nationwide audience. There are also several tenders open for food/stall holders and cleaning services.

The Challenge has already locked in part of their entertainment for the week, by welcoming back singer/songwriter Trent Bell. Trent’s diverse range of music and approachable attitude made it an easy decision to bring the talented musician, originally from Townsville, back to Cloncurry.

Mark 13-18 July in your calendars for one of the most respected horse events in the country.

For sponsorship opportunities please visit www.currychallenge.com.au/sponsors and to see tenders that are currently open see www.currychallenge.com.au/tenders

2020 Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge Postponed

In light of current circumstances surrounding the global Covid-19 pandemic and the rapidly changing restrictions imposed on public gatherings by the State and Federal Government, the Committee of the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft, one of Australia’s greatest annual horse events have made the tough decision to postpone the 2020 event.

Previously scheduled for its traditional annual July date, a new September 9th to 13th date has been selected, subject to review and final confirmation on August 1st.

Annually hosting in excess of 300 competitors and loads visitors from across the country at the Equestrian Centre facilities located in the township of Cloncurry, it remains the Committees intention to run a full 5-day program, however “this will be dependent on how the pandemic and restrictions develop over the next few months; with competitors, visitors, sponsors, volunteers and the communities safety paramount” said Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft Association President Cheyne Williams.

With competition rules and regulations placing restrictions on the age of Challenge competitors horses, the Committee have made the decision to “extend eligibility to any horse that would have been eligible to compete up to and including the 12th of July 2020 to the new forecast September date” said Cheyne.

An iconic event, and an important part of the annual social calendar in Outback Queensland; the Stockman’s Challenge team consider themselves very lucky to be in a position to consider a new date and look forward to seeing the return of the many events that were not so fortunate in 2021.

Record Crowds Cheer on Competitors

One of the greatest horse events in Australia, the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft has today come to a close, with record crowds and near record numbers of competitors flooding to the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre for the 5-day event.

A year that has been hailed “a massive success” by the organising Committee, Joshua Smith originating from Gracemere Central Queensland has taken out the iconic Stockman’s Classic Challenge event; riding 3-year old stallion GI M Hard and boasting a total score of 340.

Taking home the beautifully presented Peter Abdy memorial trophy, a massive $20,000 cash and a load of prizes, Stockman’s Challenge Committee President Cheyne Williams commended Joshua on his horsemanship and GI M Hard’s display of athleticism and ability.

“Joshua was a standout in both the dry and wet work sections this year” said Cheyne.

“It was a really tough field with the judges scores showing just that so he should be commended on his win.”

Another hotly contested event in the Challenge discipline, female competitor originating from Alton Downs near Rockhampton Jaimie Kriesch riding RKN Peppered Whiz took out the win in the Encouragement Challenge with a score of 332.25. A category calling for horses and competitors who have not won an open age event before, Jaimie also took home second place riding her gelding Nonda Plains of Peppimenarti.

An event that also included campdraft categories for young, old, ladies and men; Walter Jackson triumphed in the Junior Draft with a score of 78 riding ‘Joe’ and Ben Stanger took out the coveted Restricted Maiden Draft, consisting of 176 competitors restricted to herald only from the Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Julia Creek, Winton, Richmond and Hughenden regions.

With entry free for spectators the all new multi-level seating, grandstands and spectator areas were all brimming; especially for the Saturday night rodeo and live entertainment by former The Voice Australia contestants Trent Bell and Tim Conlon which saw revellers dancing and singing along until late.

“It was really good to see crowd numbers so high” said Committee President Cheyne.

“We put a lot of emphasis on spectator attendance in our marketing and planning, aiming to increase trade stalls and alike and it seemed to really pay off.

“On behalf of the Committee I’d like to thank everyone who came out and supported the 2019 event including competitors and spectators, and I’d also like to take my hat off to everyone who helped organise the event along with all of our sponsors whose support allowed the event to become a reality”.

As usual crowds were well-behaved over the weekend with the local hotels, pubs and caravan parks also brimming.

A full summary of results from the 2019 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft will be available from the events website in the coming days or can be accessed from the events 5-days social media coverage.

Countdown Commences for Curry Challenge

This time next week all the action of the 2019 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft will get underway; the iconic Outback event scheduled for July 10 to 14 in Cloncurry.

Marking its 35th year, the 2019 event will well and truly be living up to its reputation as one of Australia’s greatest horse events, with close to record numbers of competitors nominated “the highest number seen in at least the last six-years or more” according to Committee Secretary Stacey Robertson.

Consisting of 5 jam packed days of campdraft action at the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre, the 300 plus competitors and thousands of visitors will be in for a treat with nightly entertainment also included; ranging from the NRL State of Origin footy grand final on the big screen Wednesday, through to Friday and Saturday night live entertainment by former The Voice Australia contestants Trent Bell and Tim Conlon and a Saturday night rodeo.

A hard year for many of the graziers and land-owners from across the North West; after the devastating recent flood event, this year’s Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge event will also include a special visit from the Governor-General of Australia His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and his wife, Her Excellency Linda Hurley; attending Thursdays program and free community barbeque from 12 midday, hosted at the Equestrian Centre and supported by Cloncurry Shire Council.

“Linda and I wanted to make sure that our first community event after I became Governor-General was in the Outback. The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is about as iconic as it gets and we’re thrilled that we will be there on Thursday to spend time with the community and see some of the outstanding competition,” the Governor-General said.

“We are very humbled to be hosting His Excellency the Governor-General at our event next week, added Stacey Robertson.

“While the Stockman’s Challenge is very much about competition, this year the aspect of also offering entertainment and a break from the everyday is very important for us given the hardships experienced by many of our local and regional land-owners (and competitors and sponsors).

“The Governor-General’s visit and desire to meet with the local community shows that we really do have the support of all levels of government behind us”.

With entry to the 2019 Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft free for spectators, people from across the region are encouraged to head along and enjoy the program.

Full program details are available from the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft website at www.currychallenge.com.au