SEPTEMBER 13-14 will see the dust fly in the Queensland Outback for the eighth annual RM Williams Longreach Muster.
Over two action packed days, Australia's best stockmen and women will battle it out in a range of fast paced, hard riding bush events.
A unique and much anticipated event on the Outback calendar, this year sees 11 of Australia's leading cattle companies come together at Longreach for a weekend of spirited competition that celebrates the skills that are at the very heart of the Australian bush.
Hamish Turner, CEO RM Williams said the Longreach Muster will be a fantastic weekend of celebrating with the Longreach Community and this year will see a new camp draft even: the Longreach Pastoral College (LPC) Old Collegians versus The Best' of the Cattle Companies.
"We believe this will highlight the incredible talent that the L.P.C has assisted in developing and educating, now seen through the success of its past students," Mr Turner said.
"RM Williams is proud to support such a unique event that brings together some of the sport's most successful competitors and top horses. The hardship of the drought is creating enormous ongoing challenges for the Longreach community, and indeed, many parts of the country.
"The Longreach Muster is an opportunity for those doing it tough to come together for a weekend of camaraderie, support and to just have a break from it all for a couple of days. All of us at RM Williams are looking forward to another great Muster," he said.
The Muster kicks off at 8.30am on Saturday with the R M Williams Stockman's Challenge. The event rounds up the best of the bush with the cattle companies top stockmen and women battling it out over a range of bush challenges.
From 2pm on Saturday the Cattle Company Buck Jump On Sunday at 10am, the Muster saddles up with the RM Williams Golden Spurs Campdraft.
Following the Campdraft is a new and highly anticipated event at this year's Muster; the L.P.C. Old Collegians versus The Best of the Cattle Companies, to be held at 1.30pm.
Designed to bring together some of the best and biggest names from the College and give them the chance to battle it out against a select team from the best of the cattle companies; many of whom are alumni of the College themselves.
Sunday 2.30pm will see the Calgary Stampede Bosses Draft which will see the three cattle company finalists compete with the 'Boss' back in the saddle. The Cattle Company owner or CEO will compete with his two leading stockmen as a team of three, putting their bush skills and team work to the test.
The final event of the Muster is the State of Origin Invitational Rodeo at 3.00pm. The QLD/NSW rivalry moves from the football field to the arena with plenty of thrills, spills and finely tuned rodeo skills to keep the whole family entertained..
Confirmed Cattle Companies:
- Australian Agricultural Company
- Acton Land & Cattle Company
- Australian Agricultural College Corporation
- Australian Country Choice
- Consolidated Pastoral Company
- Georgina Pastoral Company
- North Australian Pastoral Company
- Paraway Pastoral Co
- S.Kidman & Co Ltd
- Stanbroke
- Williams River Cattle Company
Entry is $5 per person - children under 12 free. Gates open at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday.