Teams from nine far-flung CPC properties competed for the Stations Challenge last weekend. Click on images for a larger view

ISIS Downs Station west of Blackall has made history at Consolidated Pastoral Company’s 2026 Stations Challenge held last weekend, becoming the first Queensland station to claim the coveted Austrex Cup.

Nine CPC stations and operations took part in this year’s challenge, with teams representing Isis Downs and Wrotham Park in Queensland, Dungowan, Newcastle Waters, Beetaloo, Bunda, Carlton Hill and Santavan/Twin Hill in the Northern Territory plus Brisbane staff.

Around 155 CPC team members, sponsors, family and friends came together for the event, which put some of the beef industry’s most important practical skills to the test, from stockmanship, horsemanship and cattle assessment to safety, maintenance, innovation and teamwork.

Isis Downs, located near Isisford in Western Queensland topped the Overall Station Points to secure the Austrex Cup for the first time, with Dungowan finishing runner-up and Newcastle Waters taking third.

CPC chief executive Troy Setter said the Stations Challenge was about much more than competition.

“The Stations Challenge is a great opportunity to bring our people together and celebrate the skills, knowledge and teamwork that underpin our operations every day,” Mr Setter said.

“Good stockmanship, horsemanship, cattle assessment, animal welfare, safety, station maintenance and practical problem-solving are fundamental to running successful cattle operations, and it’s important that we continue to develop and pass those skills on to the next generation.

“What I particularly enjoy is seeing our younger team members having a crack alongside people with many years of experience. There’s some healthy station rivalry, of course, but there’s also a lot of learning, encouragement and genuine pride in doing things well.

“We have some incredibly capable people working across CPC, and the Stations Challenge gives us the opportunity to recognise them, while continuing to build the skills and leadership our industry will need into the future.”

The overall winning Isis Downs team collected the 2026 Austrex Cup

Individual honours

Among the standout individual performances, Claire Harcourt Smith claimed the Highest Junior Individual Point Score, while Ross Job took out the Highest Senior Individual Point Score. Both winners received saddles in recognition of their performances across the competition.

Ross enjoyed a particularly successful Challenge, taking out the Open Cattle Judging competition and Overall Highest Point Score in cattle judging, as well as winning the Open Horse Challenge and the Open Rider 2026 Colt Challenge. Clinton McCarthy was named Best on Ground.

CPC’s CEO Special Awards recognised Aaron Taylor from Bunda and Liz Kelly from Beetaloo for their contributions during the Challenge.

Station teams watching from the grandstands

Newcastle Waters shines in station presentation

Newcastle Waters claimed first place in Station Presentation, ahead of Carlton Hill in second and Wrotham Park in third.

Newcastle Waters also collected the Tidy Camp Award, while Carlton Hill was recognised as the Safest Station.

In the Dave Shearer Memorial Maintenance Challenge, Bunda took the honours, followed by Dungowan, with Beetaloo and Isis Downs sharing third place.

From campdrafting to cattle judging

Campdrafting was one of the major competitive components of the Challenge, with classes structured to give CPC ringers the opportunity to compete against others at a similar level of experience.

Taj Croker took out Level 1, Isaac Finlay Level 2, Robert Gamman Level 3, Koa Hampson Level 4 and Edward Johnstone Level 5+.

In the Open Campdraft, Rebecca Wall claimed first place ahead of Dylan Wall and Ross Job, while Simon Everingham recorded the highest cut-out score in the Open class.

Cattle judging tested another fundamental skill of the beef industry: the ability to assess livestock and make sound decisions on cattle quality, type and suitability.

Hugo Fay won Level 1, Kate Bartlett Level 2, Robert Gamman Level 3, Sophie Thorley Level 4 and Lucy Gurner Level 5+.

Ross Job topped the Open division ahead of Emma Costello and Michaela Biggin and finished with the Overall Highest Point Score in cattle judging.

Horsemanship remains at the heart of station skills

Horsemanship featured strongly throughout the Challenge, with the CPC Colt Challenge providing an opportunity to demonstrate the development of young station horses and the skills of their riders.

Isaac Finlay won the 2025 Colt Challenge for Level 1 and 2 riders, while Kyan Taylor took out the equivalent 2026 colt class.

Kate Bradford won the 2025 Colt Challenge for Level 3 and 4 riders, with Joya Ariens winning the 2026 class.

Among Level 5+ competitors, Walter Tinkler took out the 2025 colt class and Tom Cobb won with the 2026 colts.

Simon Everingham claimed the Open Rider title with the 2025 colts, while Ross Job won the Open Rider 2026 Colt Challenge ahead of Emma Costello and Clinton McCarthy.

The Open Horse Challenge produced another strong field, with Kyan Taylor winning Level 1, Alex O’Neil Level 2, Sam Spencer Level 3, Sophie Thorley Level 4 and Arnika Forrest Level 5+.

Ross Job added another win to his tally in the Open Horse Challenge, ahead of Emma Costello and Rebecca Wall.

Challenge dry work competitor in front of the crowd

Bush skills go well beyond the saddle

The Challenge also recognised the breadth of skills required to keep large-scale cattle operations running. The Stockman’s Challenge was won by Tom Pidd, Sam Capel and Will Wilson, while Kyan Taylor and Tom Cobb took first place in the Team Calf Scruff. Sam Spencer won the Bullock Ride ahead of Kaleb Stein and Angus Gascoigne, while Jessie Simpson, Nik Petrie and Liam Sellick combined to take out the Bovine Battle.

Away from the cattle yards, the Dave Shearer Memorial Maintenance Challenge, Innovation Challenge, station presentation, photography and even fiercely contested smoko categories highlighted the range of talents found across CPC’s station teams.

Raquel Streek won the Innovation Challenge ahead of Phil Switzer and Maitland Webb, while the photography competition captured everything from livestock and working dogs to machinery, horses, people and the landscapes of Australia’s cattle country.

Building the next generation

While competition and station pride are a major part of the event, the Stations Challenge also provides an opportunity for less experienced employees to test themselves, learn from seasoned operators and develop the practical capabilities required for a long-term career in the beef industry.

The range of competition levels allows young ringers to compete alongside their peers while seeing a clear progression through to senior and open competition.

For Isis Downs, however, the 2026 Challenge will carry some extra bragging rights. After becoming the first Queensland station to put its name on the Austrex Cup, the trophy is heading east.

Cattle judging session