Head to head for Ag Co's
NOT usually considered a ‘spectator sport’, campdraft tends to only spark the interest of competitors and seasoned horse people.
However, next weekend’s inaugural R M Williams invitational Golden Spurs campdraft is aiming to appeal to a much wider audience.
The event will challenge some of the best campdrafters from agricultural companies across the country to perform different tasks on horseback for their team, with only a moment’s notice.
Veteran campdraft competitor-turned-judge Robert Teague from ‘Nockatunga’ will saddle up for the Consolidated Pastoral team, and believes the format is one-of-a-kind.
"This will be the first time that there has been campdraft competition between different agricultural companies," Mr Teague said.
"We are still not sure what the judges have in mind for us yet.
"All we know is that we ride into the camp, have a look at the cattle for 30 seconds then wait and see what the judges want us to do.
"No doubt the element of surprise will put pressure on the competitors.
"They will be going for broke – there will be some bloody great runs, but there will also be a few stinkers amongst it.
"The challenge now lies in preparing our horses for every situation the judges might throw at us."
Each of the 21 invited campdrafters are to represent their agricultural company, with competitors drawn from Australian Agricultural Company, Acton Land and Cattle Company, Consolidated Pastoral, MDH Pty Ltd, Nap Co, S Kidman and Co and the Williams River Cattle Company lined up to participate.
"Small campdrafts between different station staff happen on properties around the place, but this one will be the first held for the public," Mr Teague said.
"It will also see State versus State.
"Consolidated Pastoral will be represented by myself from Queensland, Joe Atkins from ‘Argyle Downs’ in Western Australia and Tania Klan from ‘Bun Bun’ in the Northern Territory."
Campdraft competitor Geoff Schrader from ‘Sandringham’, 60 kilometres west of Bedourie, will represent S Kidman and Co, and is looking forward to testing his skills in the new campdraft format.
"We will have to take this competition as it comes.
"I know that we can’t look at the cattle until 30 seconds before our run, but I am pretty sure we can’t even watch the other fellas compete.
"It will certainly make for a interesting competition that should appeal the crowd."
The Golden Spurs campdraft is part of the inaugural R M Williams Longreach Muster, which also includes an invitational rodeo and Lee Kernaghan concert.
However, next weekend’s inaugural R M Williams invitational Golden Spurs campdraft is aiming to appeal to a much wider audience.
The event will challenge some of the best campdrafters from agricultural companies across the country to perform different tasks on horseback for their team, with only a moment’s notice.
Veteran campdraft competitor-turned-judge Robert Teague from ‘Nockatunga’ will saddle up for the Consolidated Pastoral team, and believes the format is one-of-a-kind.
"This will be the first time that there has been campdraft competition between different agricultural companies," Mr Teague said.
"We are still not sure what the judges have in mind for us yet.
"All we know is that we ride into the camp, have a look at the cattle for 30 seconds then wait and see what the judges want us to do.
"No doubt the element of surprise will put pressure on the competitors.
"They will be going for broke – there will be some bloody great runs, but there will also be a few stinkers amongst it.
"The challenge now lies in preparing our horses for every situation the judges might throw at us."
Each of the 21 invited campdrafters are to represent their agricultural company, with competitors drawn from Australian Agricultural Company, Acton Land and Cattle Company, Consolidated Pastoral, MDH Pty Ltd, Nap Co, S Kidman and Co and the Williams River Cattle Company lined up to participate.
"Small campdrafts between different station staff happen on properties around the place, but this one will be the first held for the public," Mr Teague said.
"It will also see State versus State.
"Consolidated Pastoral will be represented by myself from Queensland, Joe Atkins from ‘Argyle Downs’ in Western Australia and Tania Klan from ‘Bun Bun’ in the Northern Territory."
Campdraft competitor Geoff Schrader from ‘Sandringham’, 60 kilometres west of Bedourie, will represent S Kidman and Co, and is looking forward to testing his skills in the new campdraft format.
"We will have to take this competition as it comes.
"I know that we can’t look at the cattle until 30 seconds before our run, but I am pretty sure we can’t even watch the other fellas compete.
"It will certainly make for a interesting competition that should appeal the crowd."
The Golden Spurs campdraft is part of the inaugural R M Williams Longreach Muster, which also includes an invitational rodeo and Lee Kernaghan concert.
posted by dr mcgillicudy's cudsong at 11:24 AM
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