Thrilling the audience they raced through the river demonstrating their horsemanship and riding skills and making Banjo Paterson's poem come alive as they wrestled to catch some extremely lively brumbies.

Lachie Cossor, 38 of Yakandandah was the overall champion of the Service One Member's Banking Stockman's Challenge winning $5000 and a swag full of prizes including goods from RM Williams and a magnificent saddle from John Shortt Saddlery. He beat the previous winner, Ryan Pendergast, into second place, despite Ryan's near perfect round on the brumby catch. Ryan who comes from Tumut is Deputy Mayor, Neen Pendergast's grandson.

On Friday the American Ambassador, Robert D McCallum officially opened the event saying: "City folk look to rural Australia and the Snowy Mountains in particular as custodians of things that are central to Australian culture."

Organiser, Cecilia Wellsmore was thanked for her hard work and in turn thanked the many sponsors and volunteers who helped to make the festival such a success.

Saturday saw big crowds flock to the show to see iconic events such as Heath Harris, equestrian movie trainer, working with his horses and in the evening enjoy late night music from Shea Fisher.

On Sunday two of the big crowd pullers were the dog high jump and the brumby catch.

But it was the Dalgety Public School P&C who really thought they had won the day after making about $5,000 clear profit from the weekend. Catering officer, Debbie Schwarz, said it had been hard work starting at 6am with breakfast and finishing at 10pm after dinner and said how grateful she was to the community members who helped and to everyone who supported the P&C.

Many locals were involved, including MC Tom Barry, and volunteered their valuable time and services. More than $50,000 in cash and kind sponsorship was raised with major sponsors being Alpine World and Alpine Meadows. The event will be held next year November 13, 14 and 15.