Champion jockey Hugh Bowman enjoys the challenge of the unknown.
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So with his famed association with legendary mare Winx over after she was retired in April following 33 consecutive victories, Bowman has turned his attention to a new challenge for a good cause.
Under the bright lights of Tamworth's AELEC, Bowman tried his hand at horse cutting as part of the National Cutting Horse Association's celebrity cutting competition on Thursday night.
"It's a different kettle of fish to what I am used to," Bowman told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"I did it a little bit as a kid and spent many hours working with cattle on horseback, so it really is more of a mental thing.
"Still, it is one of those things that you never really forget how to do and it's for a good cause."
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Bowman has enjoyed a lighter schedule in recent weeks after Winx's fairy tale retirement. He has taken a step back from racing, with his last ride on May 1.
Earning over $26 million in prize money, Winx for a time was the number one ranked horse in the world.
He said he hadn't given too much thought to the retirement of Winx.
"I really try not to over-analyse things too much," he said.
"It was an incredible thing to be involved with and something I will look back on fondly.
"But after every race, regardless of what horse I have ridden, it's not too long until I shift my attention to the next thing."
No stranger to the North West, Bowman said his family roots run deep in the region.
"I have actually spent quite a lot of time up here, especially as kid," he said.
"My mother is actually from Gunnedah and my grandfather was a member of parliament up here for many years.
"So there is quite a strong connection."
Bowman said time spent in the North West "is always special".
"I do love coming up here and visiting," he said.
"I might not get up here as often as I would like, but when you get the chance it is always great, especially for things like this [the cutting horse event] that are for a good cause."
As for the future, Bowman said he was looking ahead with optimism.
"I'm not too sure what's ahead to be honest," he said.
"I love doing things like this because they are all new experiences.
"So all I can do is have fun and see what comes next."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
