Sport
4 February, 2022
Pittsworth Campdraft was a great success
Despite the heavy skies and predicted rain the Pittsworth Campdraft finally went ahead and ran for three full days on January 21st, 22nd and 23rd after the initial Draft planned for the end October was washed out by much needed rain.
A total of 951 nominations were accepted, leaving the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association with a large waiting list.
Association Secretary Deb Standing said the Draft went very well and many people had to be thanked for all they did to make it run smoothly.
“A massive thank you must go to our judges, Jye Banks, Glen Evans, Jack Breed, Georgia Curr and Darryl Hayward who carried out their judging with such diligence – no mean feat getting through that number of first round runs plus the finals,” Ms Standing said.
“It ran so well that the last presentation was completed by 1pm, allowing our competitors to travel home in daylight.
“Accolades go out to our wonderful cattle donors who supplied the most wonderful livestock to be drafted - McLean Farms who have been with us from the first Draft, Arabella Farming Holmes Family, who also have supplied our youngsters from the beginning, Curr families – Damien and Bridget, Marcus and Shelley, and Philip and Tania, Macquarie Downs Wagyu, who have joined us again, plus the Lake Lillerie Feedlot families - John, Kerry, Andrew and Courtney who supplied cattle to assist us.
“All local properties supplying us – we are blessed.”
Along with local competitors, people travelled from as far as Julia Creek, Cloncurry, North Queensland and Casino to compete.
There were more than 230 competitors in total along with family groups who competed and came to support.
Jye Banks with the crack of the whip commenced the Hooper Accountants (HA) Open Draft at 8am sharp on the Friday morning where there were 99 competitors vying for the purse sponsored by HA of Pittsworth, Toowoomba and Warwick, who are long term sponsors, and the magnificent trophy horns sponsored by Pittsworth’s Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The winning combination went to Peter Knudsen of Chinchilla and Memphis.
Next up was the Maiden/ Maiden 4 Maiden combined Draft.
The Maiden Draft was proudly sponsored by Pursehouse Rural Pittsworth, Toowoomba’s RDO Equipment Pty Ltd, and Taya Meats.
The Maiden 4 Maiden was sponsored by Jeff Bidgood Pacific Petroleum.
This combined draft continued on Saturday morning and were all conducted under the watchful eye of Jack Breed.
The winner of the Maiden Draft was Adam Wallen and Connie, owned by Paul Ireland, on a combined score of 175, only pipping Robert Haigh, Rosevale by one point.
Next up was the Maiden 4 Maiden final with Robert White on Eagle Ida from Dimbulah taking home first place on a combined score of 179.
Following this was the Vary Agricultural Services Ladies Draft.
Ms Standing thanked the Vary Families of Brookstead who have been long time supporters of the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association.
The winner this year was Kellie Bond and her trusty Bob.
They took home a prize purse and a beautiful buckle.
After this it was on to the Supafloats Novice Draft sponsored by Terry & Geraldine Dwan, also wonderful supporters of many Campdrafts.
With 318 runs to get through, the Novice Judge, MrDarrylHayward,wasted no time getting the first competitor out and around the pegs.
This Draft was completed on Sunday morning, the winner being Terry Hall from Goondiwindi on Hazelwood Cotton, with a combined score of 177.
Next up was the Joshua Hoppe Memorial Junior Draft sponsored by Joshua’s family.
There were 22 competitors who were judged by Mr Glen Evans.
The winner for this year was Jack Griffiths riding Jack.
Winning this Draft not only meant Jack’s name was added to the perpetual trophy, he also took home an embroidered gear bag, dollars and packets of sweets – something young Joshua just loved.
Also, each Junior competitor took home a bag of Calm Pellets for their trusty equine mates.
To end the Pittsworth Campdraft was the Bernie and Sally Hintz Juvenile Draft.
The purse was sponsored by Bernie and Sally.
There was also the trophy that every Juvenile wants to take home - a set of longhorns handcrafted and sponsored by Glen McNamara and Jacquie from Brookstead.
Every year the Pittsworth and District Campdraft Association has been presented with these horns for their Juvenile riders and they are highly sought after.
Ms Standing wished to thank all donors and sponsors of their event and applaud those who jumped in to give them a hand with backyard work, manning the front gate, scoring, running the bar, and cleaning up after the weekend was over.
