Rathdowney Pony Club celebrated a return to annual campdrafting with a cracking day of competition in great conditions.
The 16 October campdraft at Rathdowney Memorial Grounds was the club’s first campdraft since 2020, after wet weather forced the last-minute cancellation of the 2021 event.
There were 38 riders across six age groups from age 8 and up, with people travelling from across south-east Queensland for the event.
Winners received practical prizes of feed buckets containing brushes, hoof picks, halters and lead ropes.
Secretary Kylie Addy said it was a fantastic comeback.
“The judge was amazing – we had Robert Tilley, who’s a local man, as judge it and he was really fair,” she said.
“He took the welfare of the cattle and horses into consideration – we had cattle donated by local people for the draft and looking after them was a priority and he was just great for everybody.”
She said the club could not have asked for better conditions.
“The weather was just great, thankfully, because horse events are being cancelled left, right and centre due to the weather,” she said.
“For example, everything Layne (daughter) nominates for gets cancelled – she’s only done two competitions this year and that was one of them, so we were grateful the weather held out.”
She said the campdraft was a huge team effort.
“We were thankful for our gazillion sponsors who helped run the event and the memorial grounds for letting us do the canteen,” she said.
“We have a big raffle in conjunction with it too, so it’s our primary fundraiser for the year.
“From the canteen helpers to the raffle sellers, cattle donors, cattle collectors, scorers, yard workers, gate keepers, announcer, grounds preparation crew – everyone involved did a magnificent job to pull off a fun, successful event.
“Special thanks to all the sponsors, raffle prize donors and our wonderful judge Robert Tilley and the competitors and their support crews for turning out for a great day.”
