49
Several top qualifiers including Kieran Davidson, Matt Maliki, and Darren Towns, were undone by zeros in the Wild Horse Catch or Buck Jump, events that can make or break an Open Final campaign.
LADIES CHALLENGE FINAL
The Ladies Final was a five-way contest that produced a stunning result, with Emma Webb( Western Acres) claiming the Ladies title with 711 points. Emma was exceptional across the board: 91 in Horse Shoeing, 91 in Bareback, 162 in Cut Out, and decisive scores in the Wild Horse Catch( 86) and the Mob Work Final( 87) sealed the deal.
Kelsie Lupson( Dances with Maggie) came home a solid second with 632 points, while Hannah Blair( Rand Rae Sovereign) finished third on 618. Hannah had the highest Pack Horse score among the Ladies finalists( 97) and produced a strong Horse Shoeing round( 93), but a zero in the Wild Horse Catch hurt her overall tally.
Annie Triggs( Berragoon Juddy) placed fourth with 609 points, and Anna Paton( Millungeras Winx) rounded out the field in fifth with 562.
Place |
Rider |
Horse |
Total |
1 |
Emma Webb |
Western Acres |
711 |
2 |
Kelsie Lupson |
Dances with Maggie |
632 |
3 |
Hannah Blair |
Rand Rae Sovereign |
618 |
4 |
Annie Triggs |
Berragoon Juddy |
609 |
5 |
Anna Paton |
Millungeras Winx |
562 |
JUNIOR CHALLENGE FINAL
The Junior Final was a brilliant showcase of young talent, topped by Jack Lindley( The Lethal Advisor) with 610 points. Jack was standout in Horse Shoeing( 96- one of the highest scores across all categories) and posted a commanding 152 in Cut Out, underpinning a well-rounded performance across the day.
Claire Lindley( Yaven Moore Chrome A3-707.) pushed hard for the title, finishing second with 588 points and recording the highest Cut Out score of any Junior finalist at 167- as well as the highest Final score of the category( 86). A strong finish from Claire, but just not quite enough to overhaul Jack.
Ned Hagon( Diamond R Jaffa) placed third with 553 points, Josh Parker( Chiquita) was fourth on 536, and Cooper Fitzgerald( Midnight Run / Ziggy) rounded out the top five with 494.
Place |
Rider |
Horse |
Total |
1 |
Jack Lindley |
The Lethal Advisor |
610 |
2 |
Claire Lindley |
Yaven Moore Chrome |
588 |
3 |
Ned Hagon |
Diamond R Jaffa |
553 |
4 |
Josh Parker |
Chiquita |
536 |
5 |
Cooper Fitzgerald Midnight Run( Ziggy) |
494 |
STRIPLINGS CHALLENGE FINAL- SPONSORED BY: AQHA
The Australian Quarter Horse Association was proud to sponsor the 2026 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, event Stripling Challenge. Quinn Beckman delivered an outstanding performance aboard the bay gelding QXH Smooth Operator Q-82078 to claim the highest placed registered Quarter Horse award, while in the Juniors, Claire Lindley and the chestnut gelding Yaven Moore Chrome A3-707 earned top honours as well.
Both riders were presented with beautiful AQHA trophy rugs in recognition of their achievements, highlighting the continued success and presence of Quarter Horses across Australia’ s premier bush and stock horse events.
2026 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE