Fifteen year-old Phillip won the Australian National Title for the Senior Youth in cutting at Tamworth on the weekend.

His brother Thomas, 12, put in a great effort, to miss out on winning his section only by a point.

The titles are awarded to the person with the highest points at the end of the cutting season.

Phillip ended the year with 35.5 points, 11.5 points clear of the nearest competitor. He also took out the National Finals Show, held in Tamworth on “One Moore Minnie Mee”.

It’s a family affair for the Smiths, with Thomas coming runner-up in the Australian Junior Youth Title. It came down to the wire, with Thomas taking out the National Finals show on “Isle B Majestic” and earning himself another four points towards the National standings. He came in one point short.

“He only got his horse in October so he surprised everyone, his mum Stacy said.

“Steve (dad) and I are very proud of their achievements – to take out an Australian title is not easy,” she said. The boys came home from the Tamworth with a swag of buckles and Phillip has also won a trip to the United States.

Phillip has been competing in cutting for two years, and Thomas for just one.

Phillip began riding horses when he was four and Thomas when he was six.

“They’ve had to work very hard to get where they are, and they’ve loved every minute of it,” Stacy said.

“Cutting is a very close-knit community. It’s a wonderful community for our children to grow up in,” she said.

And there’s certainly no break for champions.

The cutting season begins for another year in North Star in three weeks.