The Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft

23/07/2026

The amazing Jo Thieme Photography has her beautiful 2026 Challenge, Rodeo and Gymkhana photos available on her website! Brie Stanger Photography will have her epic Campdrafting shots available soon too 🤩

Be sure to check out their work and secure your favourite Cloncurry memories for the pool room! 💖

It has been a little over a week since I packed the cameras away after covering The Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft soon after the final crack of the whip I find myself reflecting on what continues to make this incredible event so special.
Each year brings something new. The standard of competition continues to rise, the presentation of the grounds reflects countless hours of care and continual improvement, the cattle were outstanding. A sincere thank you to every cattle donor & sponsor. Your contribution is fundamental to the success of the event and deeply appreciated by all.
What people see over four days is only possible because of the dedication of an extraordinary committee who spend countless hours behind the scenes, often long before the first competitor enters the arena and long after the last trailer leaves the grounds. Thank you for your commitment to creating an event that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
It has also been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate media team. Thank you Brie Stanger Photography for capturing the Campdraft competition this year, Molly from In Thieme Media produced the daily recap reels that so beautifully captured the spirit and emotion of each day and Hannah from Bush Chooks Media kept everyone connected through competitor interviews and social media updates. Together, we all tell different parts of the same story.
For me, that's what keeps drawing me back. Not simply the action in the arena but the opportunity to document a small piece of an event that continues to grow while preserving moments that become part of its history.
I leave Cloncurry each year with a full hard drive and an even fuller heart. Thank you to everyone who always welcome us, support us and trusted us to tell your stories.
📷 The 2026 Challenge, Rodeo and Gymkhana galleries are now online and ready to view & Brie will have her Campdraft images available soon. We hope you enjoy looking back on what was another memorable Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft.
https://gallery.jothiemephotography.com/gallery/75feedca-97f8-4105-8b66-ea3a5a4a9e63

20/07/2026

🙌🏼🙌🏼

20/07/2026

Now that the dust has settled, we are reflecting on the 43rd Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft - which was our best yet! 💙💛🤍

It takes a community to bring an event like this to life.

To our incredible 2026 Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft Committee—thank you for the countless hours, dedication and teamwork that made this years event such a success.

From months of planning to the final pack-up, your passion for this event and our community never goes unnoticed.

To our volunteers, cattle donors, sponsors, judges, competitors and everyone who played a part along the way—thank you. Your generosity, support and commitment are what make the Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft one of Australia's premier equine events.

We're proud of what we've achieved together and can't wait to do it all again. See you in 2027! 🤠🐎❤️

📸 Jo Thieme Photography

19/07/2026

We would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our outstanding 2026 judges!

Experts in their fields, they travelled from far and wide armed with knowledge, professionalism and a true commitment to our sports.

Thank you all, your time and experience was much appreciated! 💙💛🤍

2026 Challenge Judges: Michael Anderson and Chris Towne (Dry Work), Berry Shann and Luke Bennett (Wet Work).

2026 Campdraft Judges: Mac and Gayle Shann, Cherie Stanger, Dan Charters, Jack Morris, Cheyne Williams and Berry Shann.

17/07/2026

We are SO proud to announce that $5,700 was raised at our event through the 2026 Classic Challenge Calcutta for the Common Ground Foundation!

What an effort from our amazing supporters - funds which will make a difference for regional families in their time of medical need. Bravo!! 🙌🏼

15/07/2026

We would like to sincerely thank our amazing 2026 cattle donors, for all their hard work in providing such beautiful bovine for us all week!

Granada Station, Paraway Pastoral Company Limited and Melinda Downs Station put in the work not only during the week of our event...but SO much time in preparation!

The efforts of their teams did not go unnoticed - the cattle were consistent and excellent, from start to finish. Lucky us who got to enjoy them!

Thank you also to Keyes Cattle Co for their work dipping and ensuring every beast had access to top quality hay all week, the TopX Cloncurry back yard cowgirls for their careful handling and non-stop efficiency and of course Curley Cattle Transport Pty Ltd. for their ever-reliable safe transport.

To all involved - THANK YOU. We couldn't do it without you! 🙏🏼

📸Brie Stanger Photography

15/07/2026

We thought the last interview for 2026 should belong standout steed of the week in Jack Mann’s CHUCK (“Reyning Royalty”) – a gelding who has captured the hearts of competitors and spectators alike.

A true crowd favourite, the One Time Royalty gelding proved why he's one of a kind at this years Cloncurry Stockman's Challenge & Campdraft - collecting a remarkable THREE event wins, with THREE different jockeys!

A second consecutive victory in the Restricted Open with owner Jack Mann and that memorable winning with Morgan Webb in the saddle for the Slot Draft…a 91 and a 91.5 in one night, turning up the next morning to run an 89 to win the Junior Campdraft the next day with Jack’s son Gordie. Exceptional! 🙌🏼

An extra buckle presented for last seasons Australian Campdraft Association Northern Zone Novice HOTY was an added honour to finish a memorable week here in Cloncurry✨

It’s a special feeling to have a horse with big talent – but those as versatile as CHUCK are in a league of their own.

Hear the story behind the horse that so many of us love - congratulations Jack & feel free to pick out a gelding for us at the next Classic!🐴

15/07/2026

We couldn't think of a more deserving winner of this year's Rising Star Award than Grace Roth - a cowgirl who demonstrates passion, dedication and a positive attitude always!! 💖

Grace’s journey as a horsewoman started in the pony club days, where a weekend with Leah Read instructing changed the trajectory of her life.

Spending every available hour at Leahs and working there full-time since finishing school, Grace has continued to grow her skill base and passion for training performance horses.

Certainly someone who we were very proud to award the Mick Connolly trophy saddle on Friday night. Congratulations Grace, we can't wait to follow the exciting future of your career!

14/07/2026

As they say, the treasurer is always in the money...and it was true on Saturday afternoon when our very own Tess McNamara ran a shmokin' 91 on IDOWRA DIANNA to win the Jim Magoffin Memorial Ladies Draft for 2026!

Congratulations Tess - a cracking win and a nice reward for all your hard work 🫶🏼

Thank you to Cloncurry Vet Services for their generous sponsorship and to the Daley family for that stunning bronze trophy, custom made by Jim's granddaughter Jaye Hall. So special! 🥰