YOUNG’S new equine and livestock centre got a sprightly workout when the Southern Cross Cutting Club recently held the South West Slopes Cutting Championships.
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Held in April, the cutting event was a first for the Young Pro Rodeo Club who acted as hosts.
The weeks leading up to the three day event saw temporary yards housed at Toompang Racecourse for team yarding events moved across to the newly landscaped arena the Pro Rodeo Club has been striving to establish over the past five years.
Years of negotiations, planning and hard work have finally paid off for Pro Rodeo president Paul Blake who was thrilled with the result, the club raising more vital funds to further develop the site which has formed banks on three sides, creating an ampitheatre effect, with the arena at the centre, ideal for spectators.
Excellent weather and top level competition also conspired to make it a success for the cutting club, with competitors travelling from all over the state to participate.
“We got more entries than expected,” Paul said, “the livestock was outstanding and the arena worked well.”
“The feedback from the cutters was they were ecstatic with the venue,” he said.
So much so the venue has been booked for late March next year with a lot of enquiry already.
Paul said he would like to thank everyone who assisted with the event, particularly those who helped to get it organised namely the Southern Cross Cutting Club, Toompang Picnic Race Club, Will Caldwell, Paul Kaveny, William and John Day, Greg Smith, Tim Luff, Peter Causer, Trevor and Rebecca Pearce, Brooke Blake, Melinda Thorp, George Fogg, Foleys Transport for the water truck and transport, Milong West, Craig and Scott Burns, Rob Gledhill, Ron Whitechurch, Chris McMurtrie, Ben Thorp, Darren Purches, Deb O’Neil , Liz Verri, Errol Smyth, Allan Osmond, Young Pro Rodeo committee members, Joanne Johnson and Elouise Hawkey for setting up the Facebook page and taking photos, and a special thanks to event organiser Jason Steven-Jones
Cattle were loaned by the Cobcroft family of “Highbank”, Nuthalls of Solferino, Metcalfes of “Olde Milong”, Watsons of “South Greenbank”, McLachlans of “Bunyarra” and Doug Caldwell of “Pevensey” Stockinbingal.