Father and son win national ploughing
Wet weather did not disrupt the National Ploughing Association of Australian’s annual championships held recently on Cameron and Rhiannon Scheffen’s property at Wonthaggi North.
A total of 22 competitors took part from most states in Australia, including Western Australia. in the three days of competition.
Scott Loughridge of Poowong took out the national champion award for conventional ploughing with 360.5 points, narrowly defeating Adrian Tilling, also of Poowong with 360 points. In third place was Wayne Clayton. The reversible national ploughing championship was won by Scott’s father Brett Loughridge 365.5 from Pryde Inglis 317.
It was the second year running that Scott and Brett have won the national contest.
In the highly competitive national vintage tractor ploughing award first place went to Russell Mehrtens, while Lindsay Hester was second and Don Tomlinson third.
Dan Custance of Poowong won the judge’s encouragement award and Victoria won the teams’ prize.
West Gippsland Ploughing Association secretary Wendy Tilling said conditions for the three day competition were good despite the heavy downpour on Friday.
The association hosted the three days of competition.. Thursday was the Victorian State contest while Friday and Saturday were the national contest days.
The West Gippsland 40th Anniversary Silver Share contest was the results of day one of the national.
Brett and Scott Loughridge will compete in the World Ploughing Championships in Minnesota USA in September.