27/09/2026
🐴 COLAC STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE – NEED TO KNOW RULES 🐴
With the Challenge getting closer, here are some important rules and reminders for all competitors. Please make sure you’re familiar with these before arriving.
🐴 HORSE & RIDER
• Helmets must be worn at all times when mounted on a horse over the weekend.
• Only riders who have paid the required insurance are permitted to ride on the grounds.
• Riders must use the same gear for the entire competition — no changing tack between phases.
• Falling during an event will result in elimination from that section. Once cleared by the first aid officer, the competitor may continue with the remaining events.
⚙️ BITS & EQUIPMENT
• A free-rolling, loose-ring snaffle with a single joint (two-piece bit) must be used in all phases.
• The mouthpiece must be smooth and may be sweet iron.
• No twisted wire, sharp edges, three-piece bits, fixed rings, eggbutts or locking mechanisms.
• A bar on the side of the horse’s mouth may be used provided the ring remains free rolling.
• No tie-downs, martingales, nosebands or other artificial devices.
👕 COMPETITION DRESS
• Long-sleeved, collared, button-up shirt with sleeves buttoned down.
• Jeans, moleskins or jodhpurs are permitted.
• A tie is optional; women may wear a tidy scarf instead.
• Appropriate riding boots must be worn and must allow the foot to come free of the stirrup while preventing it from sliding through.
• Presentations will be mounted, so please ensure you and your horse are ready and appropriately presented.
❌ DISQUALIFICATION
Competitors may be disqualified for:
• A horse bucking or becoming unmanageable.
• Any blood caused by spurring or blood in the mouth from the bit.
• Lameness, as determined by the judge in consultation with the organising committee.
• Using incorrect gear.
• Abuse of a horse, cattle, judge or official.
📝 PROTESTS
• All protests must be made in writing within 15 minutes of the commencement of the overall results.
• A $50 office fee applies to all protests.
🏕️ AROUND THE GROUNDS
• NO BYO YARDS. Yards must be booked prior to the event.
• ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES. 🐕
• All manure and leftover hay must be completely cleaned up from your yards and placed in the trailers provided. Please leave your yard area clean and tidy before departing.
• Please respect the grounds, fellow competitors, officials, volunteers and animals throughout the weekend.
🍔☕ FOOD, DRINKS & SATURDAY NIGHT MEAL
• A fully stocked canteen will be operating throughout the weekend.
• Please note the canteen will be CASH ONLY, so make sure you bring some cash with you.
• A coffee van will also be on-site throughout the weekend. ☕
• If there are Saturday night meal tickets still available, they can be purchased through the canteen during Saturday.
• Meal numbers are capped, so availability on the day cannot be guaranteed. If you’re planning on joining us for Saturday night dinner, we recommend securing your ticket early! 🍽️
⚠️ Please check your gear BEFORE arriving. It is each competitor’s responsibility to ensure their equipment complies with the rules.
We’re looking forward to a fantastic weekend at the Colac Stockman’s Challenge! 🐴
