Australian Stockman’s Challenge Association (ASCA) affiliated. All challenges will be run under ASCA Rules & Regulations. You can download a copy of the full rules and regulations HERE.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and understand these prior to competing.
All competitors must be members of ASCA, membership is available from their website www.australianstockmanschallenge.com.au

What is a stockman's Challenge?

The Stockman's Challenge consists of two phases, "Dry" work and Cattle work. Each competitor will be scored on both phases and the scores will be combined for a final score.

Finals will be held for Open, Classic, Derby and Rookie Challenges.
There will be no final for the Junior, Juvenile and Encouragement Challenges.

Patterns for the Dry work are now available on our Competitor Info page.

An outline of the rules and regulations are below.

Dry Work

The premise of the dry work is simple. The horse and rider must complete a pattern or series of maneuvers similar to a reining pattern. The pattern varies between events and consists of a series of circles, spins and stops that test the athleticism and responsiveness of the horse.

Cattle Work

The cattle work section is very similar to a campdraft with a few minor changes. Firstly a competitor, while in the camp, that losses control of a beast twice may be assisted out of the camp by the mounted steward. The course consists of a left and right circle and a gate. The traditional 1st and 2nd pegs may not be present.

 General Rules and Definitions
  • The event is open to all breeds of horses bred anywhere in the world.
  • The event is open to all sexes.
  • The horse’s age shall be determined by their breed society registration papers or in the case of unregistered horses by the duly appointed committee representative eg. Veterinarian, Dentitian.
  • The horses Birthday shall be the 1st August.
  • Horses must be ridden by the same competitor in both the preliminary and final phases. In case of genuine injury or illness occurring after the commencement of an event the Committee reserves the right to allow a replacement rider. Should a change occur, that change is final.

Classes of Competition
  • Classic Challenge- Open to horses that are under five years of age and no restriction for rider. All registered horses must have their breed society registration papers available for inspection by the show committee. All unregistered horses must be inspected by the committee’s appointed veterinarian or representative (eg. Equine Dentition) to determine the age and eligibility to compete.
  • Open Challenge- Open to all horses and riders.
  • Derby Challenge- Open to 5 & 6 year old horses only.
  • Rookie Challenge-
          Restricted to riders who have never won a Classic, Novice Challenge or Open Challenge at an ASCA affiliated event. Competitors  who win a Rookie Challenge will remain eligible to compete in Rookie events for that calendar year only.
            a) A Rookie competitor who wins a Classic Challenge or Open Challenge is no longer eligible to compete as a Rookie.
            b) Any competitor who wins the Rookie Premiership will no longer be eligible to compete in a Rookie Challenge.
  • Encouragement Challenge-The Encouragement class is considered an adult class. It is restricted to
            a. Riders that have never won any single event that involves a cow regardless of affiliation or discipline of that event
            b. Horses that have never won any single event involving a cow regardless of affiliation or discipline of that event
            c. Juveniles in any discipline will remain eligible to enter this class regardless of winning Juvenile, Junior or similar events in ASCA
               or other disciplines
           Juveniles will not be eligible to ride in this class:
           a. If they have won an adult rider or horse aged event that involves a cow regardless of affiliation or discipline of that event. An                     example would be that a juvenile that has won an adult challenge, campdraft, cutting or cowhorse would not be able to
               enter, either as a juvenile or as they progress to the adult classes.
           b. A Juvenile rider may only compete on a horse that meets the definition in (1.b) above.
  • Juvenile Challenge- Open to riders aged 13 years and over and under 17 years of age.
  • Junior Challenge- Open to competitors 8 years to under 13 years

Dress
  • Hats: Australian style hat to be worn whilst competing.
  • Helmets: Optional, although it is encouraged they be worn during the cattle work phase. Compulsory for riders under 18 years of age.
  • Shirt: Long Sleeve button up shirt with the sleeves buttoned down.
  • Trousers: Jeans or moleskins. No jodphurs.
  • Tie:A tie must be worn. Women may wear a tidy scarf.
    Boots: Riding boots must be worn.

Equipment
  • Bridle: Personal choice.
  • Bit: In all phases a snaffle bit is to be used. This must be a free rolling, loose ring snaffle no thinner than 3/8” with a single join (two piece bit) with a smooth mouthpiece. No twisted wire or rough surfaces allowed. Loose ring bar bits are permitted.
  • Reins: Personal choice,
  • Saddle: Australian type stock saddle with knee pads and no horn. Competitors will not be penalised for the use of a back girth.
  • Not Allowed: Tie-downs or martingales of any description, nosebands or any other artificial device are not to be used.
  • It is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure they have the correct gear and adhere to the rules and regulations.

Juvenile Riders
  • Helmets: All riders under the age of 18 years are required to wear a riding helmet when competing and when riding in the competition arena. Helmets must meet current Australian Safety Standards and be less than five years old from the date of manufacture. The chin strap must be securely fastened. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of juvenile riders to ensure their gear is safe and they are mounted on suitable horses.
  • Stallions: Are not to be ridden by anyone under the age of 17 years at any time during a competition either on the grounds or in the competition arena.

Australian Stockman's Challenge Association

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The Australian Stockman's Challenge Association mission is to promote the sport of Stockman’s Challenge Events across Australia and create an entertaining and professional environment for competitors and spectators.
  • To encourage and assist clubs and committees to engage in the development of ASC. events.
  • To develop and maintain a uniform set of judging rules and regulations which is simple, fair, and futuristic for the sport.
  • We would endeavour to continue to be evolving, and keep abreast of changes and best practice within the horse industry, paying particular attention to cattle handling skills and education. We would intend to be proactive and maintain a positive attitude regarding the encouragement of growth and development within our association. 
  • To develop the skills of horsemanship, with particular emphasis on encouraging the development of our youth, and develop the sport under the mantel of an Australian Sportsmanship Code of Conduct.
  • To maintain and protect the heritage and ideology of the Australian Stockman in the form of a sporting event.
  • To create an ASCA National Horse Of The Year in the form of a Premiership whereby points are allocated for placings at affiliated events.
  • To create a register of Open, Under 5, and Rookie Horses. 
  • To provide Public Liability cover for Judges, voluntary workers, officials, coaches, management committees, and affiliated clubs within the A.S.C.A. 
  • To develop a Judges Panel and encourage “learner judges”.