Dungog horseman, Nick Horn has taken out the 2017 Stock Horse Futurity Challenge with outstanding performances across all four rounds of the event.
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Horn rode the well bred four year old gelding Rosebrook Oakley (Wallabah Excel cross Rosebrook Suzie Wong) to accumulate 644 points, a clear 26 points ahead of his nearest rival.
Oakley showed strong natural ability for working cattle and was solid in all phases of the “dry” work.
He has already broken his maiden status in campdrafting.
The runner-up was Hugh Main with his “baby” two year old gelding Silverthorn Urban Oak who displayed a remarkedly easy going temperament and will be a horse to watch in the future.
Jaimee Vlastuin continued her very consistent run of performances from previous challenges and this year she again did a commendable job with the young mare, Conomos Miss Charm to finish in third place.
The rookie section of the challenge was hotly contested with a count-back required to decide the champion and reserve.
A superior cattle work score in Round 4 gave victory to April Langridge on the Wilson family’s mare Kywong Wish, ahead of Matthew Kelly with the striking grey gelding Sevenangle Neon Moon.
Vicki Evans was a close third place with the black stallion Talawahl Classic Destiny.
Vicki also won the prize for being top scorer in Senior ASH Ladies Association.
In the Juvenile Challenge, Emma Johnston from Wallanbah held onto an early lead with her brown gelding Marshdale BMW to stay ahead of the much improved Cameron Dunlop on Grandview Adina.
Emma was also the winner of the ASH Ladies Association Junior rider award.
Just behind these major place getters was Shania Madden with Silverthorn Jubilee in third place.
Bianca Turner riding Jackson River proved very consistent over the two rounds of Junior competition to take out that event.
In second place was Wauchope contestant Meghan Reynolds on Yarawa Angeline closely followed by Comboyne junior Lachlan Corrigan riding Smart Lil Pepper.
The challenge continues to grow in popularity with riders coming from across an area, from as far as Wauchope in the north, Tamworth in the west, and Central Coast in the south.
The committee of the Gloucester Branch ASH Society thanks all those persons who have assisted with the conduct of the challenge, particularly the cattle donors who have generously given cattle to allow the event to be held.
