The Upper Hunter’s passion for breeding brilliance was celebrated tonight at the 2026 Warburton Estate Agents Scone Horse Festival VIP Night, where three outstanding contributors to Australia’s equine industry were recognised with VIP Awards.
Announced during the Festival’s VIP Night at Arrowfield Stud, the annual awards honour excellence across Horse of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year and VIP of the Year, showcasing the extraordinary talent, dedication and horsemanship thriving throughout the region. This year’s winners were selected by an expert judging panel comprising Festival life members. Congratulations to all winners and finalists recognised tonight, and thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.
VIP of the Year 2026 – Brad Wamsley
Brad Wamsley has dedicated more than 36 years to the sport of polocrosse, making an extraordinary contribution at both a local and national level through leadership, coaching, breeding and community involvement. For more than 30 years, Brad has served as President of the Bunnan Polocrosse Club, playing a vital role in sustaining and growing the club across generations.
Brad represented Australia in the Under 21’s Polocrosse Team in Darwin in 1995 and has recently been selected to represent New South Wales in the Masters competition in Darwin later this year.
Since 2014, he has coached numerous club and national teams across all levels, mentoring the next generation of players from junior divisions through to Under 21 girls. He is also widely respected for his generosity, regularly loaning horses to club members to ensure others can compete and participate.
Beyond competition, Brad has promoted polocrosse at major events including the Tamworth Show, Toowoomba Show and Sydney Royal Easter Show, while also breeding Wamsley stock horses for more than 25 years. His industry contribution extends to the Wingen Campdraft, where he has spent more than 40 years competing, donating and transporting cattle, and serving as a dedicated committee member.
Brad’s leadership, dedication and community spirit make him a highly deserving recipient of the 2026 VIP of the Year award. He embodies the spirit of the Scone Horse Festival through his lifelong commitment to community, and the advancement of equestrian sports.
Young Achiever 2026 – Olivia Thrift
At just 17 years of age, Olivia Thrift has already built an impressive reputation within equestrian sport through her dedication, resilience and outstanding horsemanship. Olivia began riding at the age of three through Pony Club and was competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show by just six years old. In 2022, she was recognised as Champion Pony Club Rider by the Royal Agricultural Society, before progressing into Open classes and later transitioning into the Australian Stock Horse arena with Tocal Royalty, known as Willow.
In December 2024, Willow suffered a serious paddock accident which sidelined the horse from competition for several months. Throughout the recovery process, Olivia showed exceptional commitment and responsibility, personally caring for Willow daily under the guidance of Scone Equine Hospital. Her dedication to horse welfare, combined with her sportsmanship and determination, has made her a respected young competitor and role model within the industry.
Olivia has been awarded Scone Grammar School Equestrian Rider of the Year for the past two consecutive years and most recently received a Junior Rider Award from the Australian Stock Horse Ladies Association National Awards in Melbourne. Over the past 12 months, she has achieved major success at agricultural shows, Australian Stock Horse events and national competitions throughout NSW and beyond, including multiple Champion and Supreme titles, national challenge placings and rider awards. Her incredible number of achievements reflect not only her talent and versatility across disciplines, but also the passion and work ethic that define the next generation of Australian equestrian excellence.
Horse of the Year 2026 – Chisum’s Boyd (Mikayla O’Halloran)
Chisum’s Boyd has been recognised as the 2026 Horse of the Year for his exceptional athleticism, intelligence, consistency and versatility within the cutting horse industry. Trained initially under Warwick Screen, Chisum’s Boyd quickly established himself as a serious competitor, earning major results through his responsiveness, cow sense and competitive mindset. Today, the horse continues to excel under the partnership of Mikayla O’Halloran, whose dedication and connection with Chisum’s Boyd has further elevated his performance across youth, non pro and open divisions. Together, they have formed a successful and dynamic partnership built on precision, trust and consistency.
Across multiple seasons, Chisum’s Boyd has achieved standout results at major events including the NCHA Futurity, Breeders Incentive National Finals, AQHA Championships, NSW Cutting Horse Club events and NCHA National Finals. His achievements across different riders and divisions highlight his rare versatility and enduring excellence within the sport.
The award also recognises Mikayla O’Halloran’s unwavering dedication, work ethic and commitment to her horses and the cutting horse industry. Her patience, care and understanding of each horse as an individual has helped shape Chisum’s Boyd into one of the industry’s standout performers.
