Glen Innes competitor Rob Hodgman, riding Ebs Mia Cdee, took out the Open Futurity and collected a cheque for $75,000.

Just further north in Inverell, Phill Dawson, placed second in the prestigious event and Kempsey's Tim McCarthy sealed the non-pro futurity first placing spot.

NCHA events manager, Glenn Morgan, Tamworth, said the 10-day event had been an overwhelming success.

He said crowd numbers had indicated the interest in the sport of cutting and enthusiasm towards the new Australian Equine Livestock Events Centre.

* Extract from a full report to appear in The Land, NSW, October 9 edition.