Wellard Star of the West Campdraft 2011
It’s that time of the year where skilled horse men and women across Western Australia compete for more than $12,000 in prize money at the Wellard Star of the West Campdraft, commencing on November 11th to13th in Boar Swamp on the McLarty family’s historic Blythewood property, south of Pinjarra.
The Wellard Star of the West Campdraft has become a favourite event for many in Western Australia, and based on the success from last year’s event Wellard looks forward another big event in 2011. Campdrafting is a uniquely Australian sport involving horse and rider manoeuvring a single steer or heifer around a course. Riders have 40 seconds to complete the course and are scored accordingly.
Entries are now closed, and to date there are more than 650 entries received including one entrant from NSW. Similar to last year, draft entries vary across the state competing in Maiden, Juvenile, Junior, Encouragement, Restricted, Novice, Ladies and Open drafts as well as a Cut-out Shoot-out. Competitors from Derby and Broome in the north to Esperance in the south will float and truck their horses to the Wellard Star of the West Campdraft.
According to Draft Co-ordinator Justin Morrissey, The Wellard Star of the West has quickly gained a reputation for itself on WA’s campdraft calendar. “It is a great event for competitors and spectators alike. There is action aplenty and great displays of horsemanship and stockmanship.” Competition is expected to be intense Mr Morrissey said, as competitors in the Wellard Star of the West were competing for one of the biggest campdrafting prize pools in Western Australia.
To again spectator entry all that is required is a gold coin donation; entrance proceeds will be gifted to the Shane Kempton charity, Kids Helping Kids.
The highlight of the Wellard Star of the West will be the Restricted Open draft in the late afternoon of Saturday November 12th, followed by the inaugural Battle of the Sexes draft when both male and female competitors display their horsemanship in front of a large cheering crowd.
Friday, 11th of November spectators and competitors are invited to attend a free sausage sizzle. A bar and trade stalls will operate across the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, 12th of November, face painting for the children will take place and at the close of the Wellard Star of the West, dance the night away with live entertainment on Saturday night.
Running the draft are 1200 cattle from lines of Brahman and Droughtmaster cattle supplied by Wellard Rural Exports to softer Shorthorn and Friesian steers generously supplied by the McLarty family for the junior drafts Mr Morrissey said.
Judging The Wellard Star of the West this year is Neil Bryce from Katherine, Northern Territory.
To view the campdraft draws please click here.
For further information please contact:
Justin Morrissey
Co-ordinator
Wellard Star of the West
Mob: 0400 240 424