The seventh annual Cullalla Feedlot Gingin Campdraft was held over the weekend Friday 20 – Sun 22 October 2017. The campdraft drew competitors from all over the State – as far north as the Kimberleys and as far south as Esperance, and they were not disappointed with the wonderful cattle supplied by event sponsor and cattle donor Cullalla Feedlot. Greenfields Livestock Transport Contractors and Hamptons Livestock Transport once again supported the weekend by moving cattle to and from the event.
The weather was as good as you could ask for and spectators were treated with some fantastic shade made possible by a grant from long time sponsor and supporter Bendigo Bank, Gingin. Bendigo Bank representative Rob Kestal was present on Saturday night for presentations as well as to provide some wonderful commentary throughout the weekend.
Judge Adam Pollock from Gunnedah in NSW spent many hours in the saddle producing some quality judging that was well received from by the WA Campdraft community. Local judge identities Sedly Gibbs, Heath Stewart and Sharlie Morrison were on hand to provide some relief allowing Adam a break from time to time. The winners of each main campdraft event were also the lucky recipients of a Beachport Minerals Red Cap included in a neat showbag.
The Campdraft started with the Dakota Stud sponsored Ladies’ Campdraft on Friday morning. Gingin local and committee member Sedly Gibbs won the event on Dakota SusieQ, a well-produced mare from Dakota Stud. Following the Ladies’ Campdraft was the Elders Midland Maiden Campdraft. A neat run from Astrid McCagh of Geraldton secured first place – making her trip worth it!!
Saturday morning started with the “ILE Cup” open event sponsored by major sponsor International Livestock Export, with the open horses showing us how it’s done. The WJ Greenwell Junior and RSM Juvenile followed with local judge Sharlie Morrison behind the whip. Young Chloe Deutscher won the Junior event on Saturday, with Lauren Fitzgerald both from Badgingarra winning the event on Sunday. Darci Nancarrow won the Saturday and Sunday Juvenile event on Smart Fancy Blue Duck.
Following the kids was the DSY Engineering sponsored Novice A event, won in spectacular style by local competitor and sponsor, Sedly Gibbs on the ever reliable Dakota Susie Q. The Saturday feature event was the Cullalla Feedlot sponsored “Dust to Diamonds” Restricted Open event. Riders (wives and husbands alike) went hard vying for the coveted $1000 diamond earrings. Heath Stewart on Saltriver Iris was victorious after a hotly-contested final. Winners of each open campdraft also received a generous $1000 transport voucher from Combined Horse Transport (CHT) who have been staunch supporters over the last couple of years.
Saturday evening ‘IBand’, entertained the crowd with their dulcet tones and amazing guitar skills.
Sunday morning had a more subdued vibe thanks to a fantastic Saturday evening!! Steve Vandenbroeke on Brockham Sundancer took out the first event for the day – the Tronox sponsored Novice B event. No doubt this made the trip from Esperance all the more worthwhile. The “ILE Cup” open final was run in spectacular style with Heath Stewart riding Saltriver CC scoring another win for the weekend and taking home the much coveted ILE Cup. The day finished with the GBG Rural sponsored encouragement event with hard-working club member Angela Medley taking home a well-deserved win.
The fun-filled weekend was extremely successful, thanks to hard-working committee members, volunteers and sponsors.
