Cattlemen strut their stuff
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.