It was a full house at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre on Friday night as the stars came out to play in the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) RM Williams Celebrity Charity Cutting event.
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Six nervous celebrities amazed the big crowd with a superb display of riding but it was theatre and television star Colin Friels who took home the championship buckle.
Emm Hall from FM92.9, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, Sunny Cowgirl Sophie Clabburn, country music legend James Blundell, ex professional rugby league football player Ian Hindmarsh and Friels made sure the crowd weren’t disappointed, displaying their newly-honed cutting horse skills.
It was a close contest between Hindmarsh and Friels, with Friels taking out the title and winning $3000 for his charity BlazeAid who work with farmers and their families in rural Australia rebuilding fences after natural disasters such as floods or fires.
Friels was a humble but elated winner and thanked his help team of John and Jackie Farley, Rob Hodgman, Richard Webb, Phil Dawson and Heath Sinclair for volunteering their time for the event.
“This win is thanks to my great team and this incredible horse Stylish CD who is owned by John Farley,” Friels said.
“I loved every minute of it. The whole team and I will definitely be back next year to defend our title,” Friels said.
The Futurity Final was being decided last night.