Campdraft Sales Up

THE Landmark campdraft Sales in Tamworth on the weekend enjoyed a lift in sale prices.

According to Maree Fields, Landmark equine administration, the increased prices were due to the more buoyant agricultural economy and the Australian dollar.

“The cattle market is strong and people have some more money to spend,” said Ms Fields.

“This year the average price was $13,600 and the sale grossed $7million, compared to last year where the average was $12,300 and the gross was $5 million,” she said.

There were two lots which sold for$70,000 during the sale.

Rebound Vegas, ridden by Chris Bagnall, sold for $9,500 at the Landmark sale on the weekend.

The Australian Stockhorse Association stud book team has seen increasing numbers of new members and registrations at the sales.

“There are more registrations, more new members and more horses being transferred,” said Marie Muffett.

“The sport of campdrafting is getting much bigger, this Landmark event is in its ninth year and it is growing each year, which is great for the sport and for the stockhorse breed,” she said.

Several local breeders took their stock to the sale including Emma McMurrich, owner of Rebound Stockhorses, in Murrurundi who said they were pleased with the sale price of $9,500 for their mare Rebound Vegas, on Sunday.

“I thought the prices were really good, they were up a bit form last year and the people buying knew what they were looking for,” said Ms McMurrich.

“The auctioneers were great and it all ran very smoothly,” she said.

“Rebound Vegas was a four year old mare we bred ourselves, she was by a horse called Brown Victory from Kenny Brown who passed away last year and out of a mare we brought off Michael Andrews from Rouchel.

“She was really good, she has always been quite, easy to deal with and trainable,” she said.

“We breed between three and five a year and sell them off at various stages, break them in as two years olds and try and have at least one a year at the Landmark classic sale,” Emma McMurrich said.

The sport of campdrafting is one of the fastest growing equine sports in Australia and Ms McMurrich said she has seen massive growth in just the six years she has been competing.

“I think it is growing, it was big a few years ago, but now the sport is getting immense,” she said.

“Every weekend there are probably two camp drafts during the season and you’ve got to be quick getting your entries in,” Emma McMurrich said.