Travis was named the national champion in the under 13s and Lachlan competed at the national fInals for the first time.

Both qualified in the top 25 for the Ironman 4x4 ABCRA National Finals held from Thursday, January 26 until Saturday, January 28 at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth.

Travis’s win was based on his pointscore tallied over a year long commitment of ABCRA-recognised events, running from November 20, 2015 until December 1, 2016.

Although this wasn’t Travis’s first time qualifying, placing fifth in 2014 and fourth in 2015, this was the first time he was the overall winner.

“I get a bit nervous sometimes,” he said about the competition. “If people get a score, it makes me want to get a higher one.”

This competition came down to the last event, out of the three rounds.

Travis really enjoys going to campdrafts, sleeping in the horse truck and hanging out with the friends he has made over the years.

His favourite campdraft location is Gloucester, which just happens to be where he got his highest scores over the past 12 months.

He has two horses he rides, Cass (the one his parents gave him) and Tara Vale Destiny’s Diva (the one he purchased himself with the money he earned raising and selling cattle).

Lachlan only turned eight this year, which means he was finally old enough to compete as of February.

In that time, he qualified for the nationals and finished 12th.

Both have been riding since they could walk and regularly help out around the family farm.