The 2016 Blue Mountain Campdraft was held recently at Strathdale owned by Darren and Melanie Hamblin where the “cow paddock” on Blue Mountain Road, via Sarina, was transformed to a campdraft grounds for the three day event.
Threatening showers and an overcast sky had the campdraft committee holding their breath as competitors rolled in.
Over 760 nominations were accepted for the three day program which ran from Friday, 19th August to Sunday, 21st August. Thankfully, the weather held off and the Griffo’s Xcavations Futurity Draft kicked off proceedings on Friday afternoon.
A lovely line of wagyu stock loaned by repeat cattle donors Bo and Lisa Hatfield provided excellent drafting for Friday’s events. Two equal top scores of 90, meant Darren Hamblin (Beyonce Brown Sugar) and Lance Spannagle (Cutt Catt) would have to “run off” for first place in the Futurity Draft.
Hamblin came out on top and was awarded the blue ribbon, while the clear winner of the “cut out” was Billy-Joe Rea riding Sophie on a big 24.
Run under lights on Friday night, the Gilliam & Co Ladies draft attracted 52 entries which saw Donna Watts and Shannon take home the winners pool and a lovely necklace donated by Mary-Ellen McEvoy of Unique Leathercrafts & Jewellery.
Susan Danastas ran a close second, on Roxy, with an 89, just one point behind the winner. The Farm HQ Sarina cut out award went to Kaylene Connolly and Powerade, while Ashleigh Fairbrother won the “Coffeelicious” saddlebag, awarded to the highest scoring maiden rider in the event.
A good line of Brahman-cross cattle kindly provided by the Wright Family of Mt. Spencer, Greg and Vikki Neaton of Denison Creek and Brian and Kate Moohin, covered the first rounds of Saturday’s program which saw 324 competitors compete in the Hauwert Equipment Hire & Maintenance/Dee Ann Bussey Memorial Maiden Draft combined with the Hughes Pastoral/Green Steel Novice Draft under the watchful eye of judge Billy-Joe Rea.
The Memorial Maiden Draft was the first of the finals program with Wagyus from the Hamblin Family running well and some big scores came to hand.
Stewart Wallace and Kattnap and Greg Neaton riding Lil remained tied on 180 points, so a run off was needed to determine first place which saw Wallace set a high benchmark in the run off, and ran a 90 with a total score 270. Neaton started well with a 23 yard, but added nothing further, and took second place with 203 points.
Tim Cox and Chief took home the high point maiden rider in the Hauwert Equipment Hire & Maintenance/Dee-Ann Bussey Memorial Maiden and John Borg and The Highlander scored the trophy in the Hughes Pastoral/Green Steel Novice Draft.
Darren Gaw swung the whip, and judged the 67 competitors in the Isaac Regional Council/Little Bit Country Restricted Open Draft. Billy-Joe Rea stole the limelight riding his father’s horse Dr Phil to a first place finish and the Little Bit Country buckle with a two round total of 176. The Farm HQ Sarina Cut Out prize went to Stewart Wallace and Bustin Style on 23 points.
A total of 25 riders were taken into the Hughes Pastoral/Green Steel Novice final with Michael Pini and Dream coming in with a 91 from the first round. The duo put together another big run, and were rewarded with another score of 91, with the 182 point total winning them first place. Cut out winner was Michael Cole and Times Up on 24.
DL Equine P3, Nebo ladies, Debbie Symonds and Lenore Cole, generously donated vouchers for the highest outside score in the Maiden and Novice Drafts. A 66 for horsework was awarded to Lance Spanagle and his maiden horse, Cats Mistake, and Bo Hatfield and his Novice Horse, Midnight Wings. Spannagle received the Hi Form voucher, and Bo Hatfield a P3 Treatment.
The Stabler & Howlett/Fred Johnson Memorial Juvenile completed Saturday’s program with Celine Bielenberg, taking home first and second place riding her horses KR Catt (91 points) and Stylish (89 points). The winner of the Cut out was Jacob Drury and TipToe on 23. The Rod and Wendy Streeter encouragement award went to Laney Davison.
Sarina identity, John Mansfield once again offered his support, and organised the children’s horse sports on Saturday afternoon which saw a big roll of up of kids enjoy the afternoon’s activities and receive a ribbon.
As the sun went down on day two, competitors gathered to enjoy Saturday night’s entertainment highlighted by DJ Justin Bates who played until the early hours of the morning.
Bragging rights for the famous Blue Mountain Bungy Pull for 2016 went to Mikaela Luke in the ladies Division, and Adam Davidson in the men’s. Both winners were presented with T-Shirts and a prize bottle of Bundaberg Rum.
Swayneville State School provided a beautiful roast meal for dinner. Congratulations to Melanie Hamblin and her dedicated team who provided patrons with plenty of delicious home style cooking throughout the entire weekend.
Cattle for Sunday’s events were sourced from local graziers, Keith and Judy Parry, Johnson Grazing, Koumala, and Bo and Lisa Hatfield.
Heavy fog came in Sunday morning, and remained for the duration of the Greens Welding & Steel Cattle Yards/Amaroo Encouragement Draft.
After a run off, local competitor, Cameron Matthews riding Rambo (166 points) took the honours from Middlemount competitor, Graham Curran on Charlotte (101). The lovely cinch girth cut out prize kindly donated by Steph’s Cinches was taken home by Bryce Pini riding Smoko. David Jorgensen won the Andy Hall Horse Dentistry Treatment Voucher for Horsemanship.
Mini and Junior competitors provided a wonderful display of safe campdrafting with first place in the LJH Equipserv Junior going to Montana Hoare and Moose on 82 points. Jorja Scott of Clermont, took the blue ribbon in the Mini event. Encouragement Awards donated by Rod and Wendy Streeter went to Lacy Armitage in the Mini and Lyndal Adlington in the Junior.
The BAE Engineering/Thompson Head Memorial Open draft, was judged by Stewart Wallace which saw 23 riders compete in the final round. Lance Spannagle and his mare Suzzette finished in first place, two points ahead of Mick Cole riding Sarita Murdoch’s Finke.
Trevor Pullen and Iscotcha won the Farm HQ Sarina Cut out Award with a 24 yard. The Hitchley & Harrow Voucher was won by Jackie Dunn – who was the highest scoring lady rider in the event.
Nebo’s Shanna Cole and Postcard Creations donated a wonderful piece of her artwork for the highest averaging Maiden Rider over the weekend. Jackie Dunn was the lucky winner of the incredible painting, averaging 61.71 from seven runs. And Lance Spannagle won the Julie Hix sponsored rug for the highest averaging Open Rider over the weekend.
The committee would like to thank all the 2016 sponsors, judges, cattle donors, drovers, backyard men, volunteers, competitors and all those who made the event the success it was. We welcome you to join in 2017 – pencil us in for the third weekend in August.
