MERRIJIG'S Paddy Purcell and his bay Brumby mare VBA Queen proved to be a winning combination and a popular choice in the Australian Brumby Challenge finals held at 2022 Brumby Festival November 26 and 27 at Wesburn in the Upper Yarra Valley showcasing how wild Brumbies can change over 100–plus days from "wild to wonderful".
Paddy was blown away as he did not think they would win and was humbled that the pair also took out The People's Choice award.
It has been a journey of discovery and learning to trust one another since the arrival of Queen at Paddy's home in July.
Paddy, as her trainer, has been concentrating on that relationship as part of the preparation for the challenge.
Approved trainers were selected through a ballot system and the horses relocated to their new homes across three states including Victoria to begin the Brumby Challenge with monthly updates required on their progress.
Points are awarded across the categories of conditioning, versatility, and freestyle (the first time as a non–ridden event).
Brumbies and their trainers were judged on catching, float loading and general handling as well as the physical condition of each horse.
According to Paddy, the most challenging aspect of Queen's training was float loading, which required more patience and time.
The obstacles class was a choice of either ridden or lead.
Paddy and Queen accumulated a total of 842.5 points ahead of Asha Loughnan and VBA Dawn on 770, and Orin James and VBA Courage on 757.
Paddy was thrilled with the win and said while they did not come first in any of their classes, their performances were consistent and enough to take out the overall prize.
The pair was presented with a trophy and $500 prize money which Paddy has donated back to the organisers of the festival.
There was plenty of local support for the duo at the Brumby Festival with a group of 12 including Merrijig's Kellie Lovick making the journey.
"Many more quickly became a massive supporter of the pair," said Kellie.
"Queenie is just a gorgeous brumby and anyone who comes in contact with her, just falls in love".
But be warned "Queenie only has eyes for Paddy," she added.
Queen found a new fan when Tom Burlinson, who played the lead role in the 'Man from Snowy River' film 40 years ago, was staying in Merrijig for the Mountain Cattleman's Get Together in October, got to sit bareback on the Brumby mare.
The photos of the actor and Queen were posted on social media to everyone's delight and served as a way to again highlight the plight of the Brumbies in our national parks.
Paddy is keen to expose Queen to different settings and contact with people.
Recently he introduced Queen to several girls from the Mansfield Girl Guides who were visiting the Mansfield Zoo while he was there using the undercover sand arena.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the guides to meet Queen and learn about her background from Paddy who loves to share the Brumby's backstory.
Owning and training his own Brumby has highlighted to Paddy the urgency of stopping the cruel practice of shooting Brumbies as a way for governments to manage them.
"I want to somehow use the Brumby challenge as way of raising public awareness,'' he said.
He said many people were not aware of what was happening or felt powerless to do anything.
Asked where to from here Paddy stressed, ''I want to focus on stopping cruelty to Brumbies and continue learning from Queen who has a lot to teach me.''
For one rescued Brumby, her future is assured.
