Corryong was bursting at the seams after visitors began streaming into town from last Monday for the 30th edition of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, breaking all records for camping numbers and crowd attendances. Several local traders including the IGA supermarket, The Club Corryong and hospitality businesses also reported record turnover.
The beleaguered Upper Murray Community Bakery also recorded a two-day high. The festival itself drew huge crowds for the arena events and concerts on Friday and Saturday nights and the Man From Snowy River Challenge finals on Sunday afternoon proved to be a fitting finale to a mammoth event.
Such a huge undertaking would not have been possible without the dedication of the board and the more than 300 volunteers who deliver a standout event and a great experience for everyone involved, while also supporting the broader success of our region.
All hail a legend
Festival came to a thrilling finish
Stephen Mowbray
Tooma stockman and farmer David came into the MFSR Challenge final on ‘Stoneage Jay’ with a slender four-point lead over fellow Tooma stockman and farmer, Daryl Baines, who campaigned ‘Banjo’ at this year’s event.
David had two previous Challenge titles under his belt while Daryl was seeking his first. Both made a catch in the Yenda Producers Wild Horse Catch, Daryl in a remarkable 25 seconds but David was close behind taking just 35 seconds to get his catch halter over the head of his brumby.
Their work to control their head of stock was equally impressive so it came down to the Horsey People Stock Saddle Buckjump to decide the champion. Again, both leaders made time on their broncs and as tough as they were to ride, both got it done!
When the numbers were punched into the spreadsheet, it was David who came out on top a ‘lucky’ 13 points ahead of Daryl who was runner-up for 2025.
David’s victory squares the ledger for the Mitchell brothers, David making it win number three adding to his titles in 2010 and 2012 while John might claim bragging rights having won three-in-a-row (2016-2018).
Congratulations to David and all our finalists, just an incredible competition, the closest final we’ve ever had, and as David said in his presentation speech, everyone behind him in the line-up made him practise more than before, work harder in each section and strive to be better at each challenge phase than before.
It’s true and we note the scores this year are some of the best we’ve ever seen, that’s how much this, the biggest of them all Challenge title means to all our competitors. Already can’t wait for next year!
MFSRBF 2025 Challenge Champions:
- Open: David Mitchell and ‘Stoneage Jay’ aka ‘JW’
- Ladies: Emma Webb and ‘Western Acres’
- Junior: Luke Turnbull and ‘Banjo’
- Striplings: Luca Chaplin and ‘Tom Boy’
Top Five (Open):
- David Mitchell and ‘Stoneage Jay’ 826pts
- Daryl Baines and ‘Banjo’ 813pts
- John Mitchell and ‘Hall’s Chickenman’ 806pts
- Brad Pierce and ‘Lori Darling’ 774pts
- Morgan Webb and ‘Dogwili Norman’ 705pts
The 2026 MFSRBF will be held from April 16th – 19th, 2026
This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 17 April 2025.
