LOCAL competitors made their presence felt in what was considered one of the country’s best line-up of junior riders assembled.
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Most of the highly ranked Australian Bushman Campdraft Rodeo Association National Title standing riders attended the Inverell Junior Campdraft and Sporting Championships last weekend and the winner’s circle was dominated local talent.
However the 13-Under 17 Title leaders Jayden Dorney and Jackson Kings both featured all weekend.
Friday night kicked off with the Novice Campdraft. 101 entrants tested their skills with 17 competitors going back into the final. Competition was tight with 12 riders posting further outside scores in the final.
Kirsty Coombes of Bingara on Luckenough Tactic, a newly acquired horse owned by her future father in law PJ Cookson, took out first place.
In second place was local rider Josh Stewart followed by Bruce Coulthard of Armidale.
Codie Law on his resident sire Kneipps Conray took out the Top Cut Out prize with a magnificent display of athleticism.
Competition kicked off again at 7am Saturday morning running late into the night.
Local riders Josh Stewart, Kate Mills, Justin Oakenfull, Harrison Lehman, Claudia Neate and Tyler Berkley all won their age group drafts over the weekend.
The girls came out well on top in the Barrel Race Dual. The top time recorded by each boy and girl from each age group barrel race went back in to represent their team in a barrel race dual with the combined times tallied.
The rescue race after several heats and several near misses was won by the dynamic duo of Katie DeJong and Jock Capel of Manilla.
Two teams of local riders - Sam Ritchie/Tom O’Brien and Justin Oakenfull/Cody Woodward - both made the finals. All the teams gave it their best leaving the cheering crowd plenty of action to watch.
In the rough riding local cowboys Brock Adams and Cody Woodward lead the way but overall the steers won out on the day.
The ‘Bareback Cutout’ drew 25 entries and a big crowd. Riders must ride with no saddle, select a cow and perform a cut-out.
Some competitors came in fancy dress adding to the entertainment. After a few laughs, near misses and a two-way tie resulting in a run off Cody Ensby of Grafton took home the winner takes all pay cheque.
The main event ‘The Battle of the G’s’ team campdraft drew much attention. The top two male and female scorers from each age group campdraft in the morning were selected to represent each team.
Local riders Katie Mills, Claudia Neate, Harrison Lehman, Mackenzie Berkley, Lachlan Turner and Phoebe Turner made the team.
Special mention should go to Mackenzie Berkley who competed in her first ever campdraft Saturday morning having just turned eight-years-old posting a full course and then had the daunting task of representing the girls team that night. The girls won the toss and elected to ride first. The boys were decked out in yellow shirts and the girls in pink shirts.
With the competition tight it was left to the team captains Larry McPherson and Kathy DeJong to decide the overall winner.
Both riders posted full round scores.
Initially it was thought there may need to be a run off however a recheck of the scores by announcer Steve Myhill found the boys came out on top by one point with a combined score of 698 to the girls combined score of 697.
The Junior Champion Stock Rider was awarded to Tyler Berkley on Hanover Cougar and The Senior Champion Stockrider was awarded to Brendon Weiss of Glen Innes on Walkers Joker.
Judges for the weekend were Brian McCormack Inverell, Katrina Gallagher Armidale, Wayne Edwards Myall Creek John Hitchcock Moonbi, Kelly Rowsell Goondiwindi, Paul McLennan Grafton and Gareth McLennan Rangers Valley.
The committee would once again like to thank all the sponsors, cattle donors, livestock transporters, helpers, Inverell Pony Club, Inverell Polo X club whose generous support makes such an event possible for all of the junior competitors and their families.
