All posts,  Horses,  The Bush

Weekend warriors

It’s Show Season out here… a few weeks where a flurry of small towns showcase their local talent, with events and contests for a huge range of skills.

There’s the woodchopping – it takes strength, agility, courage and skill.  (Defintely the last one – or you could lose a toe!)

woodchop_5021The tree event is my favourite – my heart is in my mouth as those guys balance on planks high in the air as they weild razor-sharp axes.

montoshow_5026 fThe guy in the foreground was second in the world at the Sydney Royal Show recently. It’s a handicapped event so he had an enormous time ‘penalty’ in this event.

woodchop_5038 eThat’s his Dad chopping beside him… he was taking it easy, letting the young fellas have a crack!

woodchop_5049 fAbout to send that block flying…

woodchop_5057 fAnd done!

Then there is the slightly more sedate (but amazingly skilled) arena, in the Show Pavilion…

montoshow_4828 eNovelty cakes are my favourite – how cool is this castle?  Ice cream cones for turrets/roofs/whatever castles have as lids!

montoshow_4837 eCheck out the checkerboard cake!! Wowsers… makes my mudcakes look kinda boring.

And my VERY favourite offering – can you see what these cupcakes are decorated as?

montoshow_4832 eA roast chicken dinner!!!!! I am in awe…

Of course we had the Junior Cattle Judging…

montoshow_4912 eThere were a HUGE number of entries – a LOT of kids to listen to.  But it’s so great to see them growing in confidence each time they have a go.

montoshow_4913 eDash considering his verdict…

montoshow_4908 eViolet very subtly checking out the ‘underline’ of this bull.  (Boy bits need to be ‘tidy’ so they don’t hurt themselves. Trust me on this.)

montoshow_4950 eViolet tells the crowd about her choices – she even looked UP – well done!!

mygirl_4980 crop fThe relief when her turn was over was pretty evident.  (Aside: those dimples never fail to slay me.)

montoshow_4895 e

The Grand Parade is a traditional highlight of any show…montoshow_4863 e A chance to sit back and take in the ‘cream of the crop’ so to speak…

montoshow_4886 e

It’s fun to see the ribbons festooned over winning animals…

montoshow_4902 f

With best-costumed kids and ponies steaking the limelight a little…

montoshow_4874 eAnd gorgeous girls (showgirl entrants and winners) adding a little glamour to the scene.

montoshow_4892 e

This show also offers a rodeo – which is a great chance for locals to catch up, have a burger and a beer, listen to some pumping country rock and watch young cowboys and cowgirls show off their riding skills.

montoshow_4785 eOur jackaroo Cal competed in the bull ride – after a number of weekends travelling far and wide for events, it was nice to have an event close to home.

montoshow_4782 eFun for us to watch him too – he nabbed second place and managed to stay uninjured.  (The strapping helps apparently).

Yay!

My favourite shot from the weekend was this one….

montoshow_4790 crop eAs the crowd quietened and doffed hats for the Cowboys’ Prayer and the Australian National Anthem.

~~~

Two shows down, two to go in our region – I wonder what action is up this weekend?

😀

Have YOU got a local show?  What’s your favourite ‘show’ thing?

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