Oberon horse trainer, Leigh Cragg of ‘Burilda Park Equine’ has recently been selected to compete at ‘The Man from Snowy River Trainers Challenge’ at Corryong in Victoria in April.

Leigh is one of just three trainers chosen from horsemen and women Australia wide and will demonstrate his skills in front of the 15,000 spectators that attend the event annually.

As a trainer of ‘off the track’ racehorses as well as quarter horses for cow horse competitions, the 32-year-old is looking forward to showcasing his passion for starting horses at the celebrated event.

Leigh said, “I was absolutely honoured to get the phone call that I’d been chosen for the event, so many trainers nominated so it was a total shock to me.”

Leigh and his wife Alexandria will head to the Victorian high country to compete for the coveted title and prize purse.

Within the challenge, the trainers will select a young quarter horse that has only had limited handling before, from a yard of six, they will then have four days to handle and start this horse under saddle should they feel it appropriate.

Within the first three days the trainers must demonstrate their own program or method in communicating with young horses and on the final day they are judged on the reasoning behind their choices over the sessions and the progress of the horse that is under their guidance.

“My favourite part of horsemanship in general is the starting process - I think those initial stages really set that horse up for the next 20 ridden years and I like to do the best job I can with the young ones to prepare them for the rest of their careers.”

Leigh will have 2.5 hours per day to work with his chosen horse. There will be a half an hour mandatory break where Leigh can then chat with the crowd and discuss what he has been doing with the young horse.

This opportunity is a huge feat for Leigh and Alexandria who have been travelling the state teaching Leigh’s horsemanship program, while also facilitating horsemanship clinics and confidence boosting retreats.

At the end of the four-day process all of the horses will be auctioned off to the public and 100% the proceeds will go to supporting bush fire recovery.

The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is celebrating its 25th year and is running from the 2nd- 5th April 2020.