St Mary’s Catholic College principal Michael Nayler with the executive director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission Mike Byrne … enjoying the Cow Horse Competition

May 3, 2013

The South Burnett’s first “Cow Horse Competition” for school students has been hailed as a great success with 81 competitors from 13 schools taking part.

The day, organised by St Mary’s Catholic College, was held recently at Nanango Showgrounds and featured team penning, a stockman’s challenge, western bending, barrel races and led stock horse competitions.

Riders competed in four age groups.

College Assistant Principal John Dalton said he was very happy with the day.

A highlight was the “working cow horse” competition in the ring, an American version of the Australian sport of campdrafting.

Nanango State High School student Danielle Strachan on ‘Cougar’ in the Cow Horse competition

Aggregate trophy (points earned divided by school population)

1. Goomeri SS
2. Kumbia SS
3. St Mary’s

Brooke Barron, from Nanango State High School, was the 12-13 Years Age Champion; she came first in Western Bend, 2nd in Barrels and 2nd in the Bodfield Bend

Age Champion Riders

5-9 Years
1. Vanessa Kissick – Taabinga
2. Shannon Hansen – Taabinga
3. Sophie Grundy – Taabinga

10-11 Years
1. Tayla McCarthy – Taabinga
2. Patrick Frohloff – St Mary’s
3. Jordan Young – Kumbia

12-13 Years
1. Brooke Barron – Nanango SHS
2. Lachlan Rockemer – Goomeri
3. Tamara Cunningham – Goomeri

14-18 Years
1. Gabe Crane – St Mary’s
2. Cameron Teske – St Mary’s
3. Peta Barkle – Goomeri

Year 10 St Mary’s student Cherie Baldacchino on ‘Hatrick’

Nanango State High School students Amy Sanders, on ‘Bonnie’; Carly Smith, on ‘Sox’; and Stacey Sanders, on ‘Shandy’ 

Kingaroy SHS’s Tahlia Blanch, on ‘Romeo’ and Hayley Hunter, on ‘Promise’ with School of Distance Ed student Madeline Rockemer, on ‘BJ’
St Mary’s Assistant Principal John Dalton with Mark Buttsworth and ‘Peppy Style’