Sport
11 November, 2024
Matt’s class act at Warwick Gold Cup
Warwick’s Gold Cup Campdraft competition is the most prestigious event for riders in Australia and Clifton’s Matt Dunn came within a whisker of claiming the title with a brilliant performance on Ivory’s Dark Knight owned by Dane and Katie Bateman of Darlington Stud in Greenmount.
After seven days of fierce competition featuring over 500 competitors, the Gold Cup winner was Kimberley Sammon from Beaudesert riding SDP Scott David owned by Sam and Sarah Campbell of Allora.
Kimberly won with 268 points and Matt Dunn was achingly close on 267 points.
Such is the prestige that goes with winning the competition that many riders have spent more than twenty years competing with the hope of one day being named the winner.
Matt Dunn’s outstanding performance in the event is no surprise to those familiar with campdrafting as Matt has a long list of victories in various campdrafting events around Queensland.
His successes include winner of the Australian Stockhorse Championships Goondiwindi, novice draft riding ‘Spade CM Humpty’ owned by Anthony and Anna Dunn and winner of the Novice at Warwick One Day draft on ‘Cedargrove Contiki’ owned by Sue Harrison at Cedargrove Stockhorse.
While Matt is in demand by owners to ride their horses in competitions he has also had success on his own horses such as winning a Novice at the 2024 Allora & District Campdraft on ‘Wrobels Betty Bow’.
Matt and his partner Sian Barnacle have recently established Dunnhaven Performance Horses just outside Clifton on Clifton Gatton Road where they specialise in campaigning campdraft horses, breaking in, training, and sales preparation.
Sian is also an elite horse rider specialising in professional ladies, playing it all over the world.
She hopes to play in the World Cup in Italy next year.
Matt Dunn has the full range of equine skills being graded as a three goal professional polo player.
He has also spent several years as a race horse trainer, breaker and educator in Beaudesert but now has returned to Clifton to pursue his first equine love of campdrafting.
Matt and Sian are a formidable team and a welcome and valuable addition to the Darling Downs equine community.
The Warwick Gold Cup will certainly be on Matt’s radar for many years to come as he chases the “holy grail" of campdrafting.
