Branch president Jill Brown said the judges on the weekend were Gloria and Phillip McCormack from Casino, Paul Vary from Barraba and Keith Jones from Culewis.

“It was excellent,” Brown said.

“We had small numbers for our first challenge, but it ran smoothly and the competitors were really happy.

“We woke up to rain on Monday morning. So we got our event over and done with, couldn’t have been any better.”

The ASHS was established in Scone in 1971, and the Border branch was established in the same year. The aim of the society was to preserve and promote the bloodlines of the Australian Stock Horse, which was recognised for its versatility and superior performance among work and leisure breeds. 

The Society is Australia’s largest equine recreational and pleasure association, with a loyal and growing membership of more than 9500 individuals and in excess of 180,000 registered horses in the Stud Book.

One who was a big part of it was Annette Law, and her service to the branch was also recognised at challenge.

“We took advantage of the occasion to bestow life membership on Annette,” Brown said. 

“Annette and her late husband have been with the society since its inception.

“Barry was the one who traditionally held all the positions, but it was Annette who was always behind him and attended all the meetings. So we’re pretty lucky to have someone within our branch with that sort of experience.”

Brown described Law as a society ‘stalwart’ who was into everything to do with the branch.

It was Law who sashed the winner of the Open Challenge winner, Karl Anderson on Kahmoo Sweet Chilli. 

Brown thanked all their sponsors, helpers, and competitors for making the challenge a success.