Liam Kelly has been cracking whips for only 12 months but that was no obstacle to him winning the Gunnedah Show open title on Saturday.
“I’ve only been doing this for about a year,” he said.
The Tamworthian took up the whips at last year’s NSW Titles in Gunnedah.
The Gunnedah community hosts the state championships each year during the Weeks of Speed Festival.
Since then, he has also placed third at the National Whip cracking Championships at Brisbane’s Ekka.
“It was good to get in a bit of practice,” Mr Kelly said of his recent Gunnedah win.
He edged out Jazmin Hobden and young Grace Groves in the Open division, just ahead of Allie Carson, fourth and Cooper Ross, fifth.
Prior to taking out third place in the Open, Grace also scooped first place in the 16 years-and-under division.
She finished ahead of Jazmin in second, Cooper in third, Kiah Muir-Bennett, fourth, and Lachlan Edmunds, fifth.
The pint-sized, 10-years-and-under division was won another of the Groves family, this time Elsie.
The youngster beat Poppy Carrigan in second place, Henry Doyle in third, Ralph Handebo in fourth and Hunter Berding, fifth.
This year’s annual whip cracking competition fielded dozens of entries in the junior divisions, much to the delight of event convenors – Steve, Narelle and Dan Wicks.
“It was great to see everyone here today getting in and having a go,” Steve said.
Poppy Carrigan competing in the 10-years-and-under division.
Rusty Barton showed good form in the junior whip cracking division.
10yrs and Under whipcrackers.
Open division whipcrackers.
16yrs and Under whipcrackers.
