Wingen Campdraft Bucks the Trend

By Mel Atfield

ALL roads led to the little village of Wingen last weekend, it has been several years since the Hunter Valley has seen a campdraft due to such terrible times with this horrendous drought and Wingen has not held a campdraft for several, but I believe we made up for some lost time.

See gallery below.

Approximately 160 competitors arrived in Wingen ready to enjoy at great weekend. There was a great little program run over the two days with an extra feature event, a Jackpot Bison Campdraft. 

Kendal Neilson, president of the Wingen Campdraft kindly supplied the Bison for the weekend. This certainly created a great atmosphere and lifted the spirits upmost the competitors. 

The Bison campdraft was run over one round and a final under the watchful eye of judge Justin Atfield. The winner in the end was Stephen Sinderberry riding Willow, closely followed by Alexis Neilson Belah Ben, Joe Wamsley Louie, Matt Moore Madeline and Lucy Neilson Snowman in the placings. Matt Moore was the winner of the Bison Cutout. An exciting feature event, thanks to the Neilson Family for loaning their bison for the event.

The Wingen Campdraft Jackpot Open 4 Open was another exciting event to watch with local competitor Adam Sadler riding Tejano Spin 169 the winner with Andrew Chapmans Digby, Rachel Beard Destiny, Steven Clarke Riley and Kendal Neilson Drummer Boy in the placings. Cutout winner was Rachel Beard Destiny. Thanks to our judge Cameron Jones.

The Ed Rossington Farrier Service/ Dan Faint Equine Dentistry Services Maiden Campdraft was run over one round, the judge for the event was Ben Clarke. Scott Brooker riding Shadow taking the win with 88pts and Lindsay Andrews Summer, Jack Mobberley Rooster, Jayson Nairne Sis, Emma Pendergast Chilli and Ally Taylor Peda in the placing. Cutout winner was Michael Andrews Trigger. The Winner of the Maiden Campdraft also took home a great Discount voucher for a Service to Metallic Storm kindly donated by the MacCallum Family.

The Bahreenah Pty Ltd Highest Scoring Encouragement rider was run over the rounds of the Maiden/ Novice campdraft John Byrnes riding Humdinger taking home the trophy rug.

The Durham Hotel Novice Campdraft was run over one round and a final with our judge Ben Clarke. The winner was Mark Palmer riding Dior 175 closely followed by James Keyte riding Design, Jayson Nairne Sis, Ally Taylor Peda and Blake Smith Scarlett.  Cut out winner was Murray Wilkinson Ninja. The winner of the Novice Campdraft also took home a discount voucher to Shines Like Metallic kindly donated by Beljay Performance Horses.

The Horsepower/Ausure Open Draft had the crowds on their feet with some exciting action in the finals runs off. Local lady rider Alison Sadler riding Boo the eventual winner with 263 hot on her heels were Andrew Chapman Wishes, Adam Sadler Freckled Acres, Dan Faint Baz and Scott Rolfe Windsong Suzy. Cutout winner Tammy Conner Dreamtime. Thanks to our Judge James Keyte. The winner of the Open draft also won a Service to Destinys Master Chic kindly donated by See Performance Horses. Alison Sadler was also awarded the Leo Callinan Memorial Open Trophy.

The See Performance Brahmans Ladies Campdraft was run Sunday morning  with JoBeth Taylor riding El Condo with a 89 the winner, closely followed by Chloe Atfield Cut N Duck, Rozinda Clare Arnie, Tammy Nairne Lace, Alexis Neilson Drummer Boy and Lucy Neilson Louie. Cutout winner was Chloe Atfield Kitten. Our girls were well decorated with caps by See Performance Brahmans and amazing vouchers from Pasadena Designs, Rustic Lace, Campdraft AUS, Rubys Girl, Durham Hotel and most lovely products from Locks hair salon. Jo Beth Taylor also took home the CM Bell, Ted & Kit Cummins Memorial Trophy.

The MacCallum Inglis Junior 8-U11yrs kicked of the kids events with Ben Patterson riding Jens Revelle taking home the win, next in the line up was Toby Sadler Scotty and Emity Croft Rita and Duke. Cutout winner was Toby Sadler Scotty. Twang it up Highest scoring boy was Ben Patterson and CAA Hats/Claudis Creations Highest Scoring Girl was Emity Croft both receiving lovely hat packs.

The Landmark Townsend Junior 11-13yrs Campdraft was next on the program, local competitor Mikayla Edwards winning her first campdraft riding Liberty Silver Rain after a run off with Clay Sadler Raven Acres.  Other placegetters  were Clay Saddler Scotty, Makayla Mobberley Rooster & Style. Cutout winner was Mikayla Edwards Liberty Silver Rain. Twang it up Highest scoring boy was Clay Sadler and CAA Hats/Claudis Creations Highest Scoring Girl was Mikayla Edwards both receiving lovely hat packs. Mikayla Edwards was also award the Leon Callinan Highest Scoring Junior Competitor Perpetual award. Thank you to Judge Pat Gillis for judging our Junior Campdrafts.

The Scone Equine Group 13-15 Juvenile Campdraft winner was local girl Ally Taylor who had an amazing weekend popping up in the placegetters all weekend. Her win this time was riding Fancy n Who with an 87. Other placegetters included Jack Nairne Sis, Hayden Clarke One Crafty Chick, Millie Crowe Tilly. Cutout winner was Jaidan Atfield Cutnduck. Twang it up Highest scoring boy was Jack Nairne and CAA Hats/Claudis Creations Highest Scoring Girl was Ally Taylor both receiving lovely hat packs.

The Scone Equine Group 15-17yrs Juvenile Campdraft saw another exciting run off between  Charlie Chapman Digby and Callum Bailey Elmo. Charlie Chapman and Digby the winners with 175 followed by Callum Bailey Elmo, Charlotte Ramsden Lawrendale Decoy, Tamika Edwards Acres Liberty Beau and Emily Ninness Promise. Cutout winner was Emily Ninness Acres of Chrome. Twang it up Highest scoring boy was Callum Bailey and CAA Hats/Claudis Creations Highest Scoring Girl was Charlie Chapman both receiving lovely hat packs.

Thanks to judge Grant Miles for judging the juvenile campdrafts.

All the cutout winners took home a Halter & Lead sponsored by Toprail Equine and a bag of feed sponsored by Scone Rural Supplies. And thank you to MacCallum Inglis for supplying all our draft winners with a bag of feed.

We all enjoyed a top night at the local Durham Hotel where there was great hot meals, Live music by the Oh’s and plenty to drink. A great night of entertainment was had by all.  Thanks to the Durham Hotel for putting on the night for Wingen Campdraft.

A huge thank you goes to our amazing cattle donors, Ballarang, Scone Pastoral, Ken MacCallum, Wamsley Family and John Stewart. We are lucky to have such supportive people to donor their cattle in such terrible drought conditions. Their support and generosity has allowed our campdraft to run and lift the spirits of our local community. Thank you to Millgate Fabrications for making our Maiden, Novice and Open trophies and to Jodie Mobberley for making our Ladies and Junior Trophies.

Also without the support and generosity of the local community and sponsors  we would be able to run a successful draft with such fantastic prizes. Our Committee were overwhelmed with the support of our campdraft and we thank each and everyone of you.

Last but not least to the Wingen Committee and all the helpers well done on pulling together a great little draft we hope the community enjoyed it .