But within minutes, a tragic series of events coincided to take the life of the much-loved and highly skilled Belford man, shattering his loving family and sending the horsing community into mourning.

Mr McKendry was at Merriwa to compete in the campdrafting section –  a highly skilled competition where the horse and rider work cattle before ­cutting one out of the herd and keeping it out.

But his horse was struck by a beast and fell, then rolled on top of Mr McKendry before it lashed out as it got back to his feet.

A hoof made contact with Mr McKendry’s head and, despite the best work of paramedics at the scene and doctors at John Hunter 

Hospital, the 58-year-old died on Saturday afternoon.

“If he couldn’t do you a good turn he wouldn’t do you a bad one,” lifelong friend Billy Jones said.

“He was small in stature but had a big heart.

“It is a risk you take every time you leave home, really.

“I have probably had as many falls and broken bones as the next 

bloke, but I have never been badly injured.

“And Daryn knew that, you just can’t guard against what has happened.

“It is a terrible, terrible tragedy and all of our thoughts and prayers go to his family.”

In fact, Mr McKendry had got back into rodeoing and campdrafting as his kids grew up, returning to the sport which he had taken up as a teenager living at Bellbird, near Cessnock.

Working in the coal industry, Mr McKendry had lived for years on his Belford property with his long-term partner Lorraine Menser.

Mr Jones said his mate had become very adept at campdrafting and was known for his competitive nature.

“He was very solid, not an out-and-out champion, but you always knew who you were competing against when Daryn was around,” Mr Jones said.

“He was just a terrific bloke.”

Mr McKendry was also a well-known volunteer for rodeo and ­campdrafting events, even helping out at the national campdrafting championships at Tamworth.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.