After completing his apprenticeship in the junior ranks by winning two titles in 2028 an 2019, Tooma-based horseman Travis Bandy has taken out the senior Stockman’s Challenge at this year’s Man From Snowy River Bush Festival.

Travis is following in his father Scott’s footsteps, a five-time victor of the prestigious event.

“It was a significant win for Travis but it was very special because Scott had won it five times,” said Challenge co-ordinator, Jasmine Pierce.

“It’s the only time a father and son have both won the challenge.” Travis has finished in the Top 10 for the past two years for 3rd and 4th placings but the 21-year-old took all before him to post a comfortable 69 1/2 point victory over Kieren Davidson after Sunday’s finals.

Previous winners, Tooma-based brothers John and David Mitchell, finished in 3rd and 4th respectively giving them Top 10 places in the past three renditions of the event.

Last year’s winner Morgan Webb placed 9th overall.

The Ladies Challenge winner was Larissa Guaran who held out Chloe Mitchell by just 15 points.

Scarlett Chaston was crowned Junior Champion and the Striplings event was won by Jack Lindley.

The bush festival was thought to be the largest since its inception in its current format 1995.

Visitors were flooding into the Upper Murray over the Easter period and many of these stayed on for the extra week to take in the festival.

The Corryong golf course was filled to capacity with 1000 camp sites occupied.

See more coverage and photos from the event in the issue

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 20 April 2023.