-----Original Message----- Those Aussie's know how to have a true rodeo. Starts with an *all week* cross country ride in Snowy River mountains. Check this out from a lady Aussie:
With all the talk of all round horses, I thought some of you might find this interesting. It's the 'The Man from Snowy River Challenge'. It's an annual event, in the Snowy Mountains of Victoria, Australia. This is a great test of the all round horseman and horsewoman.
The events are: Vet, Gear & Skill Check: must pass to continue in competition Stockhandling: cutting out a beast (cow), then working two beasts through an obstacle course Packhorse: saddle a pack horse and complete an obstacle course Whipcrack: while riding horse at a canter, whip 9 targets, then perform 15 second freestyle whip cracking while horse stands still Shoeing: remove and replace shoe Bareback Obstacle: ride bareback wearing oilskin negotiating obstacles (jumping involved) Cross Country: 2km course negotiating 20 obstacles incl. river crossing, gates, logs - riding in Aussie stock saddle and carrying oilskin and whip (must pass vet check at end) Brumby C atch: cut out and rope a brumby (wild horse), from the h
erd in 4 min Buckjump: ride a bronc in Aussie saddle, for 8 seconds WHILE cracking a stock whip
