Campdraft 2009
Overview
The Wellard Star of the West Campdraft attracted a big crowd this year at the Northam Equestrian Centre, where more than 850 cattle were required for the draft’s 100 riders and 200 horses, who competed in about 600 first round drafts.
Young and old riders alike enjoyed the competition against the cattle and the camaraderie with their fellow competitors, as they matched their horsemanship and stockmanship against some great even lines of Brahman cattle, supplied by Wellard.
Heath Stewart, aboard Salt River Cotton Candy, was the favourite going into the Open Final, after winning the restricted open event the night before, and he didn’t disappoint.
Under the watchful eye of Judge Wayne Bean, who travelled from Katherine to award the scores to the riders and their horses, Heath was a solid winner.
Making sure the youngsters didn’t have it all their own way, 73-year-old Henry Clifton utilised his years of stockmanship and some aggressive horsemanship to take out second place on Hayclif Foxy,
Rounding out the top three in the Open draft was Sharlie Dickinson, ensuring there was a female representation on the final podium. She rode Glenarden Emma.
The first two placings were a repeat from the Restricted Open draft, when they were the only finalists to successfully negotiate the camp and the draft, ensuing run-off to decide the winner was required.
Heath was also favourite heading into that event, as evidenced by the top-price paid for him in the preceding Calcutta.
For Heath’s Calcutta buyers, Rhys Morrissey and Heath’s wife Kelly, that turned their $450 successful bid into a nice return on their investment.
One-third of the Calcutta pool was also donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation, ensuring two special Wellard-sponsored charities received a healthy $1000 donation from the event.
Wellard would particularly like to thank the sponsors of the draft: Hampton Livestock Transport, MLA/LiveCorp Livestock Export Program, Farmworks, Glenvar Hay, Central Stockcare, Morton Seed & Grain Merchants, Leeds Cattle Transport and Ivan Rogers’ Kylagh Feedlot.
The Wellard Star of the West Committee and those who helped out across the weekend also deserve praise for their organisation of the event.
To see the results of the Wellard Star of the West Campdraft, please click here.