Stockmans Challenge

It could be said that the Australian Outback was tamed by tough men, resourceful women and great horses. No question, horses and the great outback have been synonymous with this vast land since man first ventured beyond the continent's ocean perimeter. Before the motorised age, horses, hundreds of thousands of horses, linked outback communities and in so many ways were central to the nation's economic development.  

The lean sun-tanned stockman on horse back accompanied by his faithful dog is an iconic image imortilised in Australian art and culture. However, venture outback today and you'll find this scene is still everyday rural life and enthusiastically celebrated with gatherings like the Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge. 

Under a cloudless outback sky hundreds of horse transporters accompanied by nearly two thousand stockmen and stockwomen gathered at Cloncurry for the 2017 Stockmans Challenge; and among the spectators this year were the Bazflyers. The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge is an elite and prestigious event that is regarded as one of the greatest horse events in Australia. It celebrates the talent and passion of horsemen and women drawing competitors from all states in to a fierce and thrilling competition.