CAMPDRAFT UNDER AMERICAN SPOTLIGHT
THERE’S not a lot of time that Tom Williamson spends on his property and stud in Glen Innes.
For most months of the year, he’s on the road destined for the best and most prestigious performance horse events around Australia.
They’re mostly campdrafting and cutting events, and while the sport codes may differ, one thing remains the same.
“The quality of horses that are out there competing just keeps getting better and better,” Tom said.
He said the calibre of horses chasing beasts strategically around arenas throughout Australia had made international demand for locally-trained horses increase.
“You can bet there are breeders in the United States keeping an eye on the horses and the results,” he said.
He was referring to the 150 nominations and two-day campdrafting program at the Heritage Bank Ag Show last week where Tom was a judge for the inaugural competition.
He said the number of nominations proved the sport was continuing to grow in popularity.
“It’s a great community sport and everyone looks out for each other and is willing to help. There is a real sense of community throughout the whole code.”
The Ag Show campdraft has proven itself as a big drawcard – not just for the field days at the Toowoomba Showgrounds but for prize money and competitions on the Darling Downs.
The $8000 prize pool triggered an unanticipated response, with organisers receiving about 120 nominations within the first day of registrations opening.
That filled the competitors bill, which prompted Ag Show organisers to add a further 30 nominations to the two-day competition program.
It will return as an Ag Show program fixture for next year.
And in further evidence the south-east Queensland corner was growing its profile as a major campdraft competition region; the Warwick Rodeo has revealed it will offer the country’s highest paying prize pool event for the first time this year.
The very first National Campdrafting Championship of Australia has been added to the rodeo’s calendar which will attract the nation’s best riders as they vie for the National Champion Rider of Australia title.
The top five open riders representing four campdraft associations - the Australian Campdraft Association, the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association, the Southern Campdrafting Association and the Gippsland Campdraft Association - will compete over three finals.
Warwick Show and Rodeo Society campdrafting chairman Brian Boyce said there would be $19,000 in prize money, $4000 in Pryde’s EasiFeed, a $3000 bronze trophy and two service fees to One Moore Playboy for the winner.