MYRTLEFORD Showgrounds will play host to hundreds of horse riders in just a few weeks time, as the Alpine Regional Horseman’s Association (ARHA) hosts its third annual horse cutting event.

From Thursday, February 25, through to Sunday, February 28, more than 470 entrants from across the state and further afar will saddle up to show off their equestrian skills.

As Steve Graves, ARHA president, explained, the time-honoured sport of cutting is a great to watch and an impressive spectacle.

“The sport involves cutting one cow out of a herd of about 30 cattle, and holding that cow out in front to show the judges that your horse can hold that cow away from the rest of the herd,” he said.

“All this has to be done by the horse, the rider doesn’t touch the reins at all – the horse has to do everything by itself.”

Mr Graves said the event had swelled in size in the last few years, and 2021 should see it’s attendance numbers double from what they were last year.

“The entrants love the surrounds and love Myrtleford,” he said.

“The people in town are friendly and the scenery on offer is very enticing for our entrants, and it’s just been a great event each year that we’ve held it.”

As is the case with all things in this day and age, Mr Graves said the event would be implementing a significant COVID-safe action plan, and that ARHA’s committee had worked closely with the Alpine Shire Council to make sure everything was as safe as could be.

“The Alpine Shire has been very helpful,” he said.

“They would really like to see this event go ahead, and we have the distinct advantage that we’re an outdoor event so that mitigates a lot of potential issues.”

Given that Victoria’s lockdown won’t end, at the very earliest, until 11.59pm tonight, there have been more than a few events cancelled on 2021s social calendar thus far, but Mr Graves believes that until his told otherwise, the event will still be happening.

“We’re a bit nervous about it at the moment, and I think the lockdown has deflated a few of us in the committee, but hopefully, all things being equal, it will go ahead,” he said.

There’s no spectating fee for this event, and Mr Graves said that anyone who wants to come along and check it out should do so.