THE countdown is on for one of the greatest performance horse events in Australia, the legendary 2015 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge, to be held at the Cloncurry Equestrian Centre from Wednesday, July 8 to Sunday, July 12.
This year, the program will be bigger and better than ever, with an extra day of competition, full rodeo program on Saturday, live entertainment by country rock duo Pop Standen and Dave Hoffmann with Phil Emmanuel joining them Saturday night, plus trade stalls for horse lovers and bush folk alike.
In 2015, the Challenge will welcome the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Saturday, available for people to view and photograph.
Challenge president James Coates says the competition is considered one of the best of its kind in the country.
“The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge promises to be a thrilling five days of competition, Aussie horsemanship and talent,” Mr Coates said.
“For the past 32 years, the event has continued to deliver in ratings, attracting the biggest names in the horse world from right across the country,” he said.
“This year, there’s even more on offer, including the exhibition of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and the return of the Saunders Family Rodeo.
“As part of the Emirates Melbourne Cup tour, community members also have a chance to win a trip for two to Flemington to witness the excitement and thrill of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
“The Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge and Campdraft will also be the final of the 2015 Stockman’s Challenge Classic Premiership, which is held over the five major challenges in the state; 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, and is hotly contended each year.”
Mr Coates said on the current leaderboard of this premiership is Jon Templeton, who will be hoping to keep his title in a grand final round at Cloncurry.
“We will announce the winner and four placegetters at the final presentations.”
The committee hosted a Novice Campdraft on Sunday, June 14, in preparation for the Stockman’s Challenge. The McMillan Pastoral Novice Draft, was won by Brett Hick on Snow.
“Following the success of the Novice Draft a week ago, we can expect strong nominations and a big crowd to the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge this year. We are looking forward to a great weekend of horsemanship and country atmosphere.”
The 2014 winner Jon Templeton from Kingaroy, said the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is a highlight on any challenge competitor’s calendar and is still elated from the 2014 win.
“To win the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge was a real thrill that lasts to this day,” Mr Templeton said.
“I love the history and prestige of the event. The icing on the cake for me was to win the open challenge on my own stallion ‘Marnies Ace’,” he said.
“Cloncurry is such a great platform to demonstrate the best horses against the best of the best in the country. I will be back this year, challenging three horses and drafting numerous others.”
For more information, visit www.currychallenge.com.au.
The Emirates Melbourne Cup will be on display from 9.30am-11.30. For the chance to win, community members can upload their photos with the Cup to the PeoplesCup section of the Flemington Facebook page with the #PeoplesCup and #EmiratesMelbourneCup hashtags.
Each town will have a local winner judged by the EMCT delegation with that winner eligible for the Grand Prize of a trip for two to Flemington for the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup.
