YOUNG riders will be going into the NSW Team Yarders finals this weekend at the top of their game.
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This is according to one of the best known team yarders in the competition, former NSW Team Yards Association president Rod Bourlet.
Mr Bourlet currently leads the open competition but will be up against local riders Darcy Brewer, Owen Parker, Greg Bruce and William Day when they charge across the arena at Temora Showground on Saturday and Sunday.
The finals are the culmination of a year’s point-based competition held in the south west area of NSW.
Mr Bourlet says in the past two to three years team yarding has become the fastest growing equine sport.
This, he attributes to its inexpensive nature and because it is family based.
“You’ll get a good mix of people - from the teams that are really competitive to the weekend warriors who just like to get on their horse and have fun,” Mr Bourlet said.
Each year he sees the level of competition picking up, and this culminates in 50 of the top open and junior riders and their teams competing this weekend.
Other riders from Young are Sondra Lehane and all her girls plus Jack and Abbie Grant.
The crowning glory for the weekend is a saddle to the highest point rider.
The other major awards are for the high point open rider for the year and runner-up, high point lady and runner-up, and high point junior and runner-up.
There is no entry fee and a canteen will be operating all weekend.
Competition starts at 10am on Saturday and finishes around noon on Sunday, followed by prize presentations.
Other competitors will be coming from as far away as Dalgety, Marulan, Canberra, Wagga, West Wyalong, Temora, Leeton and surrounding areas.
President Rod Brewer said he is looking forward to a very good weekend of horsemanship and keen competition.