OVERVIEW OF EVENTS

VET, GEAR AND SKILL CHECK: All competitors must present themselves and their horse for a check of horse fitness, the safety of their horse gear and the appropriateness of both their gear and that of their horse to the image of the Australian Stockman.  A simple skill test will be conducted to assess that each competitor and his or her horse is sufficiently proficient to enter the other events.

SIX PRELIMINARY EVENTS
(Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd)

STOCK HANDLING:  With three beasts in the arena, one is to be cut out in Campdraft format and settled with the other two.  Then the competitor, with his or her dog, is, in a controlled manner and within four minutes, to take the three beasts through a course set out with a number of obstacles.

BUNG’S BUSHMAN’S PACKHORSE:  Using their own competition riding horse to pack, competitors must ensure that the bags are evenly packed and balanced, then, within a set time, lead the packhorse through a set course with a number of different obstacles and finish by packing and unsaddling the packhorse.  Time limit 16 minutes.

THE THREE MACS WHIP CRACK:  At a canter, competitors are to attempt to hit 9 targets on a set course in a set time (the judge will inform each group before the event which hand or hands are to be used).  Then, on horseback with their horse standing still, competitors are to conduct a compulsory freestyle whipcrack (the judge will inform competitors of the time limit prior to commencing the event).

BAREBACK OBSTACLE:  Riding bareback and using their own choice of headgear, competitors are to complete in a set time a course designed to demonstrate maximum skill, control and maneuverability of their horse and then perform a compulsory freestyle in a set time of twenty seconds.

HORSESHOEING:  Open competitors to competently and neatly shoe one hind and one front hoof in a set time of 30 minutes.  Junior competitors must trim one hoof in 30 minutes.

CROSS COUNTRY:  Riding with the same stock saddle used throughout the competition, competitors are to complete a course of 20 jumps and approximately 2km.  A vet check will be conducted on each competitor’s horse when they have competed the course.

TWO FINALS EVENTS
(Sunday 3rd)

BRUMBY CATCH:  Finalists are to attempt to rope and catch in an arena a previously unhandled horse.  Time limit 4 minutes.

STOCK SADDLE BUCKJUMP:  Using the same stock saddle and gear used throughout the event, finalists are to attempt to retain their seat on a bucking horse for 8 seconds whilst cracking their stock whip.

Horses for the two final events will be drawn during the morning of Sunday 3rd May 2009. Three calls only will be made and if any finalist (or their representative) does not present him or herself for the draw, the event manager will draw on their behalf.