Hunter Valley horseman Jack Lawrence has taken the early lead after the first round of the Gloucester Australian Stock Horse 2021 Futurity Challenge run at Gloucester Showground on Sunday, June 6.
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Lawrence, riding Hunter View Oaks Symphony, scored the highest points of the day in the cutting and placed second in the utility pattern to aggregate a total of 169.5 points and hold a six point lead over his nearest rival in the field of 16 horses.
Oaks Symphony is a four-year-old black mare by the well performed sire Darma Acres of Impact from the good producing mare Oaks Rhythm.
Sitting in second place is Craven Creek competitor Hugh Main with Eulabury Shadow, closely followed by Darren Brislane, Brittany Hetherington, and Bruce Snape.
In the Rookie Challenge with 20 competitors, Christine Jones from Maitland scored 156.5 points with Yarnolds Rocky to hold the lead after round one.
A group of five riders are well placed within just five points of the leader and will be trying to score consistently over the next three rounds to put pressure on the early front runner.
The nine junior and juvenile riders received instruction in cutting from the judge, Phil Gray, and from Kellie Robinson on working horse and utility patterns.
Generous cattle donors for the day were Nick and Kylie Johnston, Paul Harwood (Kempsey), and Bruce Snape.
The second round of the Challenge is schedule for Sunday, July 18 at Gloucester Showground starting at 9.30am. Spectators are welcome.
