The Man from Snowy River films made Mansfield, and especially the spectacular High Country here, famous when in 1981 the first film was made. It was an international hit, and so to speak put the area 'on the map'. The small town, which was based on a logging industry began to widen its horizons and open up the way for tourism, where it is now well recognised as one of Victoria's and indeed Australia's great places to visit.

In 1987 the 'Man from Snowy River 2' film was made. Again in the area. It was also a hit, however the first film seems to be the most popular, but this confirmed Mansfield as a growth area, and the area really began to grow.

Who was ‘The Man’ – the Man from Snowy River ?
Well indeed this in a contentious question! When Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson penned his epic tribute to an unidentified mountain horseman from Snowy River, he can scarcely have imagined the web of mystery and controversy he was weaving. Some say this and some say that but no one really seems to know. His unnamed hero, “a stripling on a small and weedy beast”, was possibly based on a character heard about by the poet while yarning to bushmen. Perhaps Banjo based it on various situations he had been in, and various people that he met, a composite character re-presenting the daring exploits of a breed of horsemen. Perhaps he was a real character ?  Over the years there have been several claims that he was a stockman from one location or another. 

Reading through Paterson’s life and poems it is possible to find some clues pointing to where he may have belonged. The talented Paterson grew up around Yass in NSW and did most of his writing in Sydney where he practiced law. Clancy, who came down to lend a hand, lived around  “The Overflow”, a Lachlan River wetland. The original Harrison’s horse “Pardon” won, not the Melbourne Cup, but the President’s Cup at Menindee in western NSW. Many assume that 'The Man' came from somewhere north of the Murray River, though Corryong in Victoria lays vociferous claim that its own man Jack Riley was the Man from Snowy River. While the country described by Paterson fits the wild hills near his home town it doesn’t mean the action depicted in the poem happened there. 

And what of Mansfield’s claims? Although it is highly unlikely that the poet had the Mansfield district in mind as the location of the dramatic chase after the wild bush horses, Mansfield now claims the legendary character - if not the real character - as its own since this was the location chosen by filmmaker Geoff Burrowes when he set out to bring the story to the screen. He chose well. The rugged mountain country and stunning vistas formed the backdrop to The Man From Snowy River and its sequel. The skill of the riders – many of whom are local legends descended from horsemen living in the Paterson era – provided the excitement of the dramatic chase that struck a chord deep inside most folk who saw the films. The country that impressed film viewers so deeply is nearby and is still accessible for adventure. 

Is there an equivalent today, you may well ask! The probable answer to that is that those who really qualify for such a title are perhaps too humble to go looking for it. Of course there are many who claim the image, for practical reasons and not, and there are those who loudly proclaim to be the best, and probably aren't worth listening to - but the real "Man", probably won't show his head, or won't let others show it for him.

Mountain Racing
There were many things that were generated from the films. One was the start of a dangerous and trying sport - Mountain Racing. No doubt after the films there were many looking for the real life 'Man', and in the aftermath of the filming, began this new sport of horseracing over mountain courses. Courses that were indicative of the mountains that we muster, live, ride and visit still today, that tested the physical and mental strengths of horse and rider. It takes a special kind of horsemanship to win the The Great Mountain Race. (The term ‘horsemanship’ is used loosely, since the race has been won by both sexes). 

Racing over dangerous rough terrain, massive logs, deep rivers, (sometimes swimming was necessary), often riders had to stop, dismount and pick up a swag, or fake calf, then race on, over the steep mountain-sides resembling scenes form the Snowy River films, only skilful riders and very fit tough and intelligent horses last the distance together. Television News teams were flown in by helicopter, and the winner became a household name. The course at Sheepyard Flat was ferocious, especially the near cliff like ascent and descent that only the best could tackle successfully at speed enough to win. 

This race, and the Cattlemen’s Cup, are the two most prestigious bush races in the High Country. The early races were hard, but it wasn't until a few years into it, that support began to grow massively. Gerald Egan, who doubled for Tom Burlinson in the films, won 'The Great Mountain Race of Victoria' 3 times, at Sheepyard Flat where the course was infamous for being the toughest and most demanding. Chris Stoney has won the Great Mountain Race four times, more than any other rider, and the Cattlemen’s Cup three times, also on many different horses. Other very successful riders when the sport was at its peak are, Dean Backman, Alex Marshall, Neil Waite, Ken Connolly and the amazing woman who did so well - Leigh Woodgate. 

Chris just shrugs off his heroic success at the associated accolades since he sees himself as an extension of the heritage he grew up with, but the trail ride operation that he now runs has become in part a way of ‘passing it on’. These days the Stoney name no longer appears on the mountain race schedules. If Chris is not busy on the farm, he’s off chasing brumbies…a pursuit probably more extreme than the racing - certainly not for the faint hearted. 

Now however, the sport of Mountain Racing has changed and attracts a different following. There are several reasons for this, as more and more people began to ride full blood Thoroughbred horses which being faster are generally are harder than the smarter mountain pony to turn, stop, do pickups etc, and the demand for less rugged courses grew. This trend continued, and the Great Mountain Race of Victoria was moved away from the infamous Sheepyard Flat. Support for the events is smaller now than it was, especially after the tragic death of two girls in 1999 racing in a ladies race. The Cattleman's Cup which is run at the annual Cattleman's Get Together is still a popular event as it combines some of the old drama of the races, like picking up a swag for example. It is great to see the young mountain riders test themselves and their horses at these events. 


In the last 4 years another type of test has grown up for those who want to see how they fare. In Corryong, there is a Man from Snowy River Festival. Here riders get a chance to be "tried and noted" and though the actual course and elements of is are not where the "hills are twice as steep and twice as rough", certainly it is a competition that is hard, tough, and well thought out. 

To win you need to be an exceptional all rounder at many aspects of bush tasks. Basically the competition is based on 8 parts. All scored individually, then tallied up at the end. Horse shoeing, Bareback horsemanship course, Cross Country Jumping test, Packsaddle test, Whip cracking, a type of cattle drafting and mustering on horseback, and for those who qualify and show their excellence at those tests, they go on to compete for the winners sash by contesting the Buckjump, on rodeo horses, and the brumby catch. The two day festival is a great spectacle and last year was won by Ben Hall from Queensland in a stunning display of horsemanship on his 4 year old stock horse. A great feat - well done.

To understand the feeling which inspired these two successful Australian films, have a read of the 'The Man from Snowy River' poem.