Jindera’s Jake Van Dorssen, on Shammy, shows his tent-pegging skills. Picture: BEN EYLES
IN ancient times, it is said, men on horses would sweep through the campsites of their enemies using their swords to pull out the tent pegs, leaving the surprised campers flailing about beneath the collapsed material.
It wasn’t just a technique to royally annoy enemies, Australian tent-pegging star, Jindera’s Jake Van Dorssen, said.
“They collapsed the tents and then the infantry would come and slaughter the enemy under the tent,” he said.
This ancient skill will be one of many interesting features at tomorrow’s 41st annual Mighty Mitta Muster.
Fortunately, the killing aspect of the tradition isn’t a planned part of this show.
As well as show jumping and novelty horse events, visitors to Magorra Park will be challenged to egg throwing, stump-bike riding and whip cracking.
And ensuring there is never a dull moment, the Australian Skeptics will test would-be water diviners to give them a shot at a $110,000 prize.
Organiser Scott Giltrap said up to 3000 people were expected to attend the event.
The money raised at the event will help achieve the community’s fund-raising goal of $250,000 for a new multi-purpose precinct.
