MCAV runs annual get-together in High Country amid bushfires

More than 3500 onlookers turned out to Licola this past weekend to attend a High Country group’s iconic cattlemen event.

A huge crowd of onlookers and regional folk out to support cattlemen in the High Country visited Licola at the weekend for the Mountain Cattlemen Association of Victoria’s annual get-together.

MCAV president Cass McCormack was delighted at the turnout, where they had “more come in than what (was) predicted.”

L-R: Junior Cattlemen's Cup Winner Emily Phegan, Open Cattlemen's Cup winner Brett Staines, Ladies Cattlemen's Cup winner Hayley Hinton. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

“It went really well, we had perfect weather until Sunday with the bushfires. People had to race off to make sure their properties were safe,” she said.

They sold about 3500 tickets, which was their goal, but Cass said the number was much higher, as kids got in for free so didn’t have tickets to count.

The main attraction of the day was the final events for the cattlemen’s cups.

In the lead-up to the event, competitors competed in four pre-events: an obstacle course, a cattle section, dry work (showing command of the horse), and a mounted whipcrack course.

The top five then had to run a course that combined all four of the pre-event tasks during the get-together.

Brett Staines won the Open competition; Hayley Hinton the Ladies; and Emily Phegan was Junior champion.

Open Cattlemen's Cup winner Brett Staines, on "Jack", from Newry.

Ladies Cattlemen's Cup winner Hayley Hinton, from Tooma.

Recognising the best horsemen and women was more than just a competition to Cass, however.

“It shows that they put the work in to their horse and they have the skill,” she said.

“Our main thing is cattle in the High Country — it’s not just about jumping on a horse, and it’s a skill that’s getting lost.”

The irony of the bushfires impacting the final day of the event was not lost on Cass, as she reaffirmed the MCAV’s stance on why cattle grazing was so important in the High Country.

“A lot of people don’t understand, we lost our national park licenses, and we believe cattle grazing along with fuel burning is critical in managing fuel loads,” she said.

“It’s about educating younger generations on what we do, it’s the main reason we run the event.”