The final of the Stockman’s Challenge commences on Wednesday 10 September at Westech.  10 horses and 6 riders have made it through the preliminary events and will be competing at the final.

• John Arnold with “Genuine Roy”
• John Arnold with “J & J Silhouette”
• John Arnold with “Docs Damien”
• Paula Dean with “Notus Tenacity”
• Paula Dean with “Clovelly Tradition”
• Regina Fitzsimons with “Legacy”
• Jess Glenwright with “AAC Angelina”
• Jan Taylor with “Primadonna”
• Jan Taylor with “Boree Skate”
• Jacqueeta Arnold with “For the First Time”

Good luck to all horses and riders.  Come along and see the how they do.

The final will be held on Wednesday, September 10th 2008.  It will be held during the Westech Field Days in the Campdraft Arena at the Barcaldine Showgrounds commencing at 9AM.

Ten finalists who have qualified for the final will draw for positions in each phase before commencement of the competition.  Final to consist of 2 phases; 1st - Working Horse Pattern, 2nd - Arena Cattle Work.

Two judges for both phases.  Judges scores for each competitor, in each phase will be averaged.  The 2 phase scores will be totaled to give the competitor their final score.  Final scores first to tenth will be acknowledged.

Patterns for the final will be available to possible finalists by August 5th 2008.

Finalists will be notified of camping and stabling arrangements by Westech by August 20th 2008.

No nomination fee will be charged for the final.

How to Qualify

• Horse and rider combinations must compete in one or more qualifying open challenges and gain points to be eligible to qualify for the final.
• Qualifying challenges are:
  • Tambo Stock Show - 26 April 2008
  • Blackall Show - 3-4 May 2008
  • Longreach Show - 16-17 May 2008
  • Alpha Show - 20-21 May 2008
  • Isisford Sheep and Wool Show - 24 May 2008
  • Winton Show - 6-7 June 2008
  • Central and Western Branch ASHS Isisford Challenge - 2-3 August 2008
  • Stonehenge Challenge - 16 August 2008
• Not compulsory to attend all challenges with the exception of the Stonehenge Challenge, if a tie for minor places is eminent.  Top ten scorers plus competitors who could possibly qualify for the top ten scorers by competing at Stonehenge Challenge will be notified by August 5th 2008.
• Points will be allocated at each qualifying event for the first ten placings.  1st = 10 points, 2nd = 9 points, 3rd = 8 points, 4th = 7 points, 5th = 6 points, 6th = 5 points, 7th = 4 points, 8th = 3 points, 9th = 2 points, 10th = 1 point.  Equal scores allocated equal points.  Competitors points will be totalled after each qualifying event.  Point scores will be displayed at each qualifying event and published in the Longreach Leader.
• Competitors who have points must notify the official points recorder by August 1st 2008, if they are NOT available to compete in the final at Barcaldine on September 10th 2008, if they make the top ten points scorers.
• The Westech Best of the West Committee will conduct a “run off” at Stonehenge on August 17th to finalize the top ten horse and rider combinations; ONLY IF - after points are totaled there are more than 10 in the top ten point scores because of equal placings.
• Ten horse and rider combinations who have finished in the top ten point scorers will be invited to contest Westech Best of the West Challenge Final.  These competitors will be announced at Stonehenge on August 17th 2008.

Code of Conduct

1.  The Best of the West Challenge Final Committee reserves the right to alter OR amend the programme and rules as they see fit.
2. Poor conduct by any competitor will not be tolerated.
3. Stallions to be ridden and handled by seniors over 18 years of age.
4. Competitors 17 years and under must wear an approved safety helmet.
5. Any complaint to be lodged with the Best of the West Challenge Final Committee no later than 30 minutes after the event.
6. HORSE CONTROL - If the committee forms the opinion that a horse and its rider pose an unduly high risk to themselves or other horses, action must be taken to prevent that horse and rider combination continuing that activity.

On Wednesday, September 10th 2008 at the Westech Field Days in Barcaldine there will be a new horse competition.

It is called “The Westech Best of the West Final” and will feature ten horses and their riders competing over two rounds (ridden pattern and cattle work). The ten will have qualified from eight challenges in the Central West, held from April through August 2008. Points will be allocated at each event, from 1st to 10th place. The top ten horse/rider combinations will then be invited to attend Westech and compete in the final.

The 8 qualifying challenges will be:

• Tambo Show - 26 April 2008
• Blackall Show - 3-4 May 2008
• Longreach Show - 16-17 May 2008
• Alpha Show - 20-21 May 2008
• Isisford Sheep and Wool Show - 24 May 2008
• Winton Show - 6-7 June 2008
• C&W Branch ASHS Challenge - 2-3 August 2008
• Stonehenge Challenge - 16 August 2008

Guidelines and rules will be available at all Challenges. For any further information, contact either Terry Rosenow on 4651 3223 or Jan Taylor on 4658 5343.