Cattlemen's skills kept alive

• Brett Staines shows the cattle handling skills than won him the Open Championship.

A Victorian rider has given the locals a run for their money and galloped away with Tasmanian Mountain Cattlemen’s Open Championship trophy.

Brett Staines excelled in the whipcracking and handy stockhorse sections but former winner Tom Steele, who works on Midlands property Stonehenge, was brilliant in the cattle handling and was three points ahead going into the final phase, the stockmen’s trail.

Steele’s young mare couldn’t hold the lead with victory snatched away by the more experienced Victorian combination.

Last year’s winner Danza Hardwick, from Paramatta Creek, finished third and Sarah Woodruff from Campania finished in fourth place.

The Junior Championship was won by consistent competitor Will Shoobridge aboard Diego who once again displayed exceptional horsemanship and skill, no doubt developed through growing up on the family farm at Ouse and working livestock across rugged country.

The TMCA Annual Get Together was held on Cressy property Billopp and began with a busy Friday afternoon featuring whip-cracking workshops hosted by Aaron Worldon and Kenya Broad of Worldon Whips, stockman’s whip-crack events on horseback, the Striplings Championship, a poetry competition, dog jump, and barrel racing.

The Striplings Championship was won by Louis Scott from Bridgenorth, who displayed wonderful horsemanship, attitude and sportsmanship aboard his equally unflappable horse Calypso, who tackled each obstacle with confidence.

Saturday’s events hit the ground running at 8.30am with the Championship riders split into three groups covering handy stock horse, stockman’s trail and cattle handling on the field.

The feature cattle handling event, held beyond the restrictions of yard panels, was hugely successful.

Riders marshalled the mob on a live yard circle, with competitors judged on peeling a beast from the mob and guiding it through a pair of obstacles. 

Two judges on horseback assessed speed, talent, horsemanship, presentation and quick decision-making as cattle changed direction.

Saturday rolled into the night with presentations held in the paddock, showcasing a strong lineup of riders who had travelled from near and far, including the two contenders from interstate. 

A highlight of the weekend was the trail ride, with more than 70 riders taking part. 

TMCA president Jess Whatley said it was a wonderful day covering some incredible country at Billopp.

“Some riders chose the shorter ride, others tackled the longer option, and those with grit and time on their hands joined leaders Jeffery Wadley and property owner Will Green on the climb to the lookout high above the Billopp homestead for magnificent views of the Tiers,” she said.

“We’re so grateful to our hosts Will and Pip Green and the committee members, judges, helpers, friends and family who all stepped in to make the weekend a success.

“Returning to private land for our event is something many have been looking forward to, and the atmosphere created at Billopp over the weekend was nothing short of exceptional.”