Cattlemen strut their stuff

Geo Harvey riding Tanbark Redpa of Westbury competing in the Roy Davies Memorial Stockman’s Whip Crack at the Harveydale gathering of the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association. The competition involves hitting 10 targets with your whip in a horse shoe design. Pictured below: Ruby Geach 12yrs with brother Lenny 6yrs compete in the junior whip cracking.

Photo | Mike Moores

March 2019 | David Claridge

WESTBURY GOT a country jolt in February with horses and stock whips gathering for some fierce competition. The annual Mountain Cattlemen’s event landed at Harveydale this year with hundreds of people coming to compete and watch.

Longford man Will Browning took home the Senior Championship, Victorian man Peter Hodgkin took second, while Sassafras local Ben Howe took third place. In the junior division, first, second and third were Westbury girls, Maya Scott, Georgia Burford-Rowe and Georgia Elias. TMCA Secretary Danza Hardwicke shared how gate takings were on par with previous years.

“There were a lot more day passes sold this year with the event being close to a town. We even had a couple of mainland competitors. “We have a championship of four stages, whip crack, handy stockhorse, cattle handling and an optimum time stock horse race. The competition was high, so it was a good event.

“This year we trialled an U12 event which got 14 children involved. 2019 was the 32nd  meet which moves around the state each year. The association, from their website, states that they actively try to pass down traditional stockman’s skills and are trying to protect high country heritage and traditions.