The King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge

The King of the Ranges

Now in its ninth year, The King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge is one of the country’s premier All Round Stockman’s Challenge events. With the competition getting stronger every year, and the inclusion of finals for the Woman’s and Junior’s Events, this year’s Challenge, to be held 5-6 May in Murrurundi NSW Australia, will be bigger and better than ever. Some of Australia’s top horse and rider combinations will battle it out over the three days to see who takes home the spoils. With $40,000 in prize money and trophies on offer, the competition will be fierce!!

Animal Wranglers with Lachie Cossor

Lachie was the 2010 King of the Ranges Champion but this year he will not be competing in the Challenge. Instead he will be here to entertain with some of the Animal Wranglers Show.  Lachie specializes in horse handling and training but he also loves training a variety of animals to perform and entertain. He will bring his trick horses and mules, performing dogs, ducks, pigs, and bullocks. Meet Barney the Brahman, Whipstick the ‘non-equine’ horse, Macca the shy stable hand and Jet the Stockhorse cross Holden Brumby Ute. Don’t miss Lachie and his animal friends, who will be entertaining the crowds throughout the weekend with lots of fun and laughs.

Hoofs2010 inc Brumby Rescue will be holding a fundraising stall and information booth at King of the Ranges in Murrundi NSW on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May 2012. Come and say hello, join as a member, buy some of our Brumby merchandise and make a donation so they can continue their work to save Australia's Heritage Horses!!!! See you there!...Kylie Curry - Vice President & Public Relations, Hoofs2010 inc Brumby Rescue.

Camp Oven Dinner & Bush Poetry Night

Thisa wonderful night will be hosted by Award Winning Poet Carol Heuchan  

It will be held 6.30pm Friday 4th May 2012 at the The Pavilion, Rosedale Horse Complex Murrurundi. There will be a two course Camp Oven dinner, Billy Tea in a Souvenir Mug Enjoy great bush poetry & country music. Entry is $40 per ticket. (Group Booking $375 - table of 10) This includes your Friday entry to all the events of King of the Ranges Stockman’s challenge and Bush Festival. PRE BOOKED TICKETS ONLY. Please contact Hilary Turner, Mobile: 0477 096 888, Email: kingoftheranges@gmail.com

The King of the Ranges

What Else Is On

*   Lachie Cossor’s Animal Wranglers

*   Sulky Driving Demonstrations

*   Kids v Draught Horses Tug of War

*   Children’s Goat Races

*   Billy Boiling Competition

*   Post Splitting

*   Pony Buckjumping

*   Shearing Demonstrations

*   Horse Breaking-in Demonstrations

*   State of Origin Barrel Races

*   Open Poley Saddle Ride

*   Open Steer Ride

*   Maiden Campdraft

*   Wheat Carrying Championship

*   Egg Throwing Championship

The King of the Ranges

*   Junior Poetry Competition

*   Junior Whipcrack Competition

*   Murrurundi Art Prize

*   Cobb & Co Coach

*   Mickey & Mouse Show

*   Des & Roley’s Music

A Brief History by Brian Hunt

Murrurundi’s Bush Carnival was founded in 1932. The first rodeo was held that year together with Willow Tree and Scone, starting with Willow Tree Rodeo in October, followed by Murrurundi and then Scone. The Rodeo was always held over a Friday and Saturday.  (There were no Rodeos anywhere on Sundays). The Rodeo was held each year until the outbreak of World War Two in 1939. It was restarted in 1947 and has run until the present time.

One feature of the history is that the first Secretary was Paddy Gogarly and he held that position from 1932 to 1960. The first ever meeting to form an Association was held at the back of the camp in 1939. The next meeting never took place until 1946 when the Northern Bushman’s Carnival (N.B.C.) was formed which later became the Australian Bushman’s Carnival (A.B.C.) and then as we know today the Australian Bushman’s Carnival and Rodeo Association (A.B.C.R.A.).

Murrurundi, Willow Tree and Scone had their own team of Buckjumpers for many years until Stock Contactors were introduced. The Buckjumpers were run year round on local properties.

Archie “Bung” McInnes

The King of the Ranges

The inspiration for the Challenge, Archie was known throughout the Hunter Valley and Northwest Region of NSW as “King of the Ranges” for his ability to track and catch wild brumbies and cattle in the ranges around “Glenrock Station” east of Scone.

At the outbreak of World War 1 Arch joined the 1st Battalion Light Horse, was seriously wounded at the battle of Beersheba, and decorated with the Military Medal. He returned after the war and continued his life as a stockman and champion buck-jumper. Archie was a true bush legend, and his spirit lives on in this iconic Australian event.

GENERAL INFORMATION

When: Friday 4, Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 May 2012  7am to late, Sunday  7am to 5pm

Finals: The weekend culminates with action packed finals on Sunday starting at 11am.

Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $10, Concessions $10, 13 - 17 yrs $10, Children 12 yrs & under free

President:  Shane Easey, Phone: 02 6747 1722

Secretary:  Hilary Turner Email: kingoftheranges@gmail.com

Mobile: 0477 096 888 P.O. Box 14, Willow Tree  NSW 2339

For more information see the website: http://www.kingoftheranges.com.au/