The 2015 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge, held on Wednesday 8- Sunday 12 July, was a great weekend of Australian horsemanship, attracting hundreds of competitors from across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory who put their campdrafting and horsemanship skills to the test to contest for more than $60,000 in prizes and prize money.
The winner of the prestigious Curley Cattle Transport Classic Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge was Joshua Smith from Rockhampton riding Mr Freckles Chic owned by Kim Huxley. The judges for the Dry Work Phase and the Cattle Work Phase said the standard of competition was exceptional.
“The campdraft was highly competitive with some excellent horse and riders on show during the five days of non-stop action,” said Phil Webb, Judge of the Dry Work Phase.
“The level of competition has changed so much in the past 30 years. The young competitors today are extremely well prepared and everyone wants to compete at Cloncurry. It is a credit to the committee and the event itself,” he said.
Joshua Smith also continued to dominate the weekend by winning the Ernst Henry Mining Open Challenge on Playin it Lucky. In the Open Rookie Challenge, Jaye Hall on Eltorrio took out first place, while the Kevin Purcell and Little Biddy Acre won the AJ McDonald Memorial Limited Rookie Challenge.
The Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge and Campdraft also hosted the final of the 2015 Stockman’s Challenge Classic Premiership, which was held over the five major challenges in the state, including; Star of the Highlands, Rocky Rush, Horse of the North, Monto Silver Buckle and the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge. This series is for horses aged under 5yrs. The winner of the 2015 Stockman’s Challenge Classic Premiership was Joshua Smith on Reys Dual Oak. Joshua said it was a thrill to win both the Curley Cattle Transport Classic Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and the 2015 Stockman’s Challenge Classic Premiership.
“To win Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is definitely the highlight of my career so far,” Joshua said. “I have been competing at Cloncurry for 15 years, and it is something that I have always wanted to win. It was a bonus to win the Premiership on my young colt Reys Dual Oak.”
“It was a great feeling also to bring back the same horse that I rode at Cloncurry in 2003, and win the Open Challenge as well. For us, it is a real family sport. My wife and three children travel the country with me to compete, and my father was also a Challenge winner at Cloncurry,” he said.
President of the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft James Coates said the 2015 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge drew some of the best riders and horses in the country to Cloncurry.
“This year was one of the biggest Challenges we have hosted,” he said. “In addition to the main Challenge events, the weekend included a Gala Dinner on the Friday night, the return of the Saunders Family Rodeo, trade stalls and plenty of campdrafting action,” he said. “We were also lucky enough to host the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Saturday, where the public could view the Cup, take photos and go in the running to win a trip to Flemington.”
“Each year, the event brings a band of volunteers and passionate community members. I would personally like to thank all the support of these people who put in hours of work to make the event run smoothly. I would also like to thank the valued sponsors and cattle donors,” he said.
The Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge was held from Wednesday 8 July-Sunday 12 July 2015 at the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre. For more information and a full list of results, visit www.currychallenge.com.au. Hashtag: #cloncurrychallenge. Facebook: www.facebook.com/CloncurryChallenge
Final placings of the Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge:
First: Joshua Smith and Mr Freckles Chic on a score of 345.5.
Second: Joshua Smith and Reys Dual Oak on a score of 344.
Third: Chris Towne and Townes Serenity on a score of 340.
Fourth: Scott Schoo and Lethal Acres on a score of 338.
Fifth: Berry Shann and Chauffuer Driven on a score of 333.5.
Sixth: Emma O’Shea and Sandytate Boxer on a score of 333.
Event Information: Ph: James Coates E: coates@topx.com.au Ph: 0427 333 007
Media Enquires: Katherine Maitland Ph: 0407 721 004 E: katherine@lightbulbmedia.com.au
