By Hannah Murray/Bush Chooks Media
Supported by major sponsor Curley Cattle Transport, the six-day event offered more than $160,000 in cash and prizes across almost 20 Challenge and Campdraft events, attracting many of Australia’s finest horsemen and women to Cloncurrym in Queensland for a week of elite competition, entertainment and community celebration.
The 2026 event has been hailed another outstanding success by the organising Committee, with Josh Smith claiming his fourth Curley Cattle Transport Classic Stockman’s Challenge title aboard Metallic Macey, owned by Chris Ware, with a winning score of 343.
The Classic Final once again delivered an exciting finish, with Smith holding off a strong challenge from Leah Read, who partnered TJT Smooth Blue Birdie, owned by Tony Price and Hannah Anderson, to finish second on 338.25.
Smith collected the iconic Peter Abdy Memorial Quart Pot Trophy, a $40,000 winner’s cheque and an impressive collection of prizes, joining Mark Buttsworth as the only other four-time winner in history.
The Challenge arena produced exceptional competition throughout the week. Emma Webb and Western Acres claimed the Ernest Henry Mining Open Challenge, while Chloe Robertson enjoyed a memorable event, winning the AJ McDonald Memorial Encouragement Challenge aboard Walshs Mr Parker before also being named Most Successful Local Under 17 Rider.
The next generation of Challenge competitors again shone brightly, with Shae Reynolds taking home the Ron Wall Memorial Rookie Challenge, Jaimee Mills winning the Brodie Hardware Juvenile Challenge, Taylor Mills claiming the MMG Junior Challenge, and Bobby Hills taking victory in the Melinda Downs Mini Challenge. Local rider and committee member Chloe Towne featured in many a line up through the week, earning her the award for Most Successful Local Open Rider.
Grace Roth was a deserving recipient of the 2026 Rising Star Award, taking home a beautifully trophy saddle handcrafted by Mick Connolly. Her passion, talent, dedication and sportsmanship shone during the event and we look forward to following the exciting future of her career.
The Campdraft arena was equally competitive, with the ever-consistent combination of Will Durkin and Durkins Jewel successfully defending the Jim Telford Memorial Open Campdraft title with a winning score of 271. Other standout winners included Peter Hills and Teles Two Times in the Paraway Pastoral Novice A on 179, Fergus Friend and Laroona Demi Lovato in the Cloncurry Shire Council Novice B on 254, Treasurer Tess McNamara and Idowra Dianna winning the Jim Magoffin Memorial Ladies Campdraft with 91, Jack Mann and Chuck taking out the Elanco Best of the Best Restricted Open for the second year in a row on 112, Ben Stanger and Karate Kid winning the Riverina Futurity Draft on 88, and Ava Hawkins and Gleneden Carousel claiming the Cloncurry Roadhouse Juvenile Draft with 87. Chuck had his third win for the week with Gordon Mann in the Desert Ice Junior Draft, where they had their first victory as a combination with an 89.
One of the biggest talking points of the week was the introduction of the inaugural Cloncurry Slot Draft, which proved an instant hit with competitors and spectators alike. Ten auctioned slots generated an impressive $18,900 prize pool, with buyers selecting their preferred horse and rider combination under one unique condition – competitors couldn’t ride their own horse.
The format produced combinations rarely seen in competition and delivered some of the most entertaining campdraft action of the week. In the final run of the event, Morgan Webb partnered with Jack Mann’s legendary gelding Chuck to score an outstanding 91.5 points, securing victory and bringing the crowd to its feet. Buyers of the winning slot, Groove and Zoe, were very happy with their investment!
The ever-popular Bareback Cut Out again delivered plenty of thrills, spills and laughter – with Chloe Towne taking home the $1,000 winner’s prize on Peter and Emma Raleigh’s gelding Townes Popstar. Phil Manchon claimed the Committee’s award for Best Stack award following a tumble cushioned by his inflatable suit, while Mitch Lynham and Cameron Dunlop shared the Bush Chook Media Best Dressed honours with some wild fits courtesy of Cloncurry Vinnies.
Saturday night’s rodeo, together with the Slot Draft, Bareback Cut Out, trade stalls and live entertainment created a fun and exciting atmosphere throughout the week, ensuring there was something for competitors, families and visitors to enjoy both in and out of the arena.
Committee President Peter Raleigh said the success of the 2026 event was a credit to the enormous effort of volunteers, Committee members and supporters behind the scenes.
“We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from competitors about the quality and presentation of the cattle this year, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. Presenting quality cattle is one of the most important parts of running an event like this, and our cattle donors, Curley Cattle Transport and back yard team, have done an exceptional job.”
“I’m extremely proud of our 2026 Committee. We’ve welcomed a number of new members this year and they’ve fitted in seamlessly. Everyone worked together, shared the workload and contributed wherever they could. It really was a team effort from start to finish.”
“When everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves and help, it makes the whole event run so much more smoothly. This year’s event was one of the most hassle-free we’ve had, which is a real testament to the commitment and organisation of everyone involved.”
“I’d also like to sincerely thank our judges for making the trip to Cloncurry this year. We were fortunate to have some of the very best in the country judging each event – true specialists in their respective disciplines – and their professionalism and expertise were greatly appreciated by competitors and the committee alike.”
“Finally, I’d like to thank Curley Cattle Transport and our amazing sponsors, cattle donors, volunteers, competitors, spectators and every Committee member who contributed their time throughout the week. The Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft is only possible because of the incredible support we receive, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Cloncurry in 2027.”
The 2026 Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft once again demonstrated why it continues to set the benchmark for Stockman’s Challenge competition in Australia, delivering world-class horsemanship, outstanding entertainment and a week that celebrated the very best of the Australian bush.
Livestream replays from the 2026 Curley Cattle Transport Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft are available on the events website and full results can be accessed from the events six-days social media coverage on both Facebook and Instagram.
You can also learn more via www.currychallenge.com.au.
Source: Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft press release
