FIVE local campdraft competitors recently attended the ABCRA National Finals in Tamworth on January 23-24, during the Country Music Festival.
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The ABCRA National Finals Campdraft and Rodeo is run over a marathon seven days from January 17-14 at the AELEC centre.
ABCRA director Ron Berkley said competitors travelled from all states, including Western Australia, to compete for prestigious titles.
On the following Tuesday, 150 children from many different backgrounds and gave them a taste of rodeo events and campdrafting,” Berkley said.
“Wednesday provided valuable tuition in the outdoor arena, when two campdraft schools were made available for participants of all levels and ages.”
The Junior Rodeo National Finals for competitors under the age of 18 was held on Tuesday and Wednesday night in the indoor arena.
“The country’s top 15 competitors in each rodeo event competed for not only the prestigious accolades associated with the National Finals Rodeo competition, but they also hoped to put their name in the history books as The National Champion for 2014,” Berkley said.
The Senior National Finals Rodeo was held in the indoor arena across Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
It saw a near record 4000 spectators attend Saturday night to watch 22-year-old Tamworth cowboy Blake Hallam awarded the national title of All-Round Cowboy for 2014.
“On Friday and Saturday, the outdoor arena hosted three rounds of campdrafting, making it a full program,” Berkley said.
“The Top 25 competitors from the year’s competition for each category of campdrafting were selected to compete at the national finals.”
Robert Neville competed in three events including the Novice Horse on Roly, the Open Horse on Soda Tory and the Open Rider. He came away with several places over the three rounds of competition and finished the competition with third in the Open Rider average.
Glen Innes’ 12-year-old Nick Cave competed strongly in the Junior Campdraft.
“Nick not only made his parents proud but also uncle Ben and grandparents David and Helen Wirth who were all there cheering him on,” Berkley said.
Brock Adams a 13-year-old from Oakwood put in some solid runs on Duracel over the three rounds and finished second in round two, fifth in round three and equal third/fourth in the finals average.
“Brock’s grandfather made the long trip from the Hunter Valley to cheer him on,” Berkley said.
Mackenzie Berkley at nine-years-old and first time qualifying for the national finals, competed solidly in the Junior Campdraft.
“Mackenzie finished the 2014 year ranked number 11,” Berkley said.
“Mackenzie has now set her sights on qualifying for barrel racing in 2015, and she was also an official flag bearer, along with her good friend Molly Cave from Glen Innes.”
Twelve-year-old Tyler Berkley capped off another top year. He rode consistently to finish fourth in round one, second in round two and second in the finals average.
“Tyler was awarded the ABCRA Junior Campdraft National Title for the fourth consecutive year,” Berkley said.
He is the only one in the association’s history to win four National Junior Rider titles, as well as the youngest person to ever win the title back in 2011.