Wyatt Young riding NASHVILLE NIGHTMAN owned by Marg Hinde, Royce Howard & Jason Bower

Then the 2019 Landmark Classic Campdraft saw another hotly contested final, which had spectators on the edge of their seats. The Classic Ladies Foundation Ambassadors led the 29 finalists into the arena, Australian and Landmark Equine flags flying. Emma Irene performed a beautiful rendition of the national anthem on horseback, a very ceremonial and special moment for all present. Then the action kicked off, and Warwick Lawrence had taken an early lead with an 87 on Craig and Helen Batterham’s mare “Hunter View Royal Chic” (Hesa Catty Chic x Cedar Downs Royal Oak). However Wyatt Young aboard “Nashville Nightman” – a 5 year old Conman x Docs Nightlife (Docs Spinifex) stallion owned by Marg Hinde, Royce Howard & Jason Bower – was hot on his heels with an 86, resulting in a shared 262 aggregate and a nail biting run off to come.

Warwick drew the first run, working hard with a tricky beast and coming so close…but narrowly missing the gate which meant he had to settle for 2nd place this year. It all came down to Wyatt Young aboard Nashville Nightman and the pair laid out a textbook run for a tidy 88 and the 2019 Classic Champion title. What an amazing accomplishment for Wyatt, a young local trainer, to win our two biggest incentive events of the year – and in the same week at that!

“Nashville Nightman” was bred by Trevor & Vanessa Nash of Cassillis, NSW and was sold at the 2017 Landmark Classic Sale for $8,500. Congratulations also to Trevor & Vanessa, who took home a custom Jaye Hall bronze and the $5,000 Breeders incentive!

Also on the Classic leaderboard and not far behind the leaders were 3rd – Will Durkin on Todd Trengove’s “Bobadil Exotic Acres” with 261, =4th/5th – Jason Wanstall on the Great Southern Syndicates “Ervines Dundee” and Peter Black on Leanne Comiskeys “Lonesome Dove Chief” with 260, 6th – Ben Hall on Ken Frost’s “Teledega Night” with 259, =7th/8th – Pete Comiskey on Bryony Puddicombe’s “Nashvale Roy Ell Destiny” and Wade Miles on “Riverview Ita” with 257 then =9th/10th – Hugh Miles on Ian & Carol Clarkes “Secret Plains Maxwell” and Wally Rea on “One Moore Metallic”, with 256.

Josh Barnett riding BARNLODGE OMEGA DESTINY

Charlie Maher Memorial Young Guns, a highlight every year, with the Campdraft stars of tomorrow putting on another good show for 2019. Yet again our competitors were treated to a great run of cattle, courtesy of long term supporters at Ellerston. Congratulations Josh Barnett on the family stallion “Barnlodge Omega Destiny” who smashed out an 89 in the final, adding to their first round score of 88 for a total score 177. They also won the North West Agrifinance top cut-out (awarded in the Young Guns, Masters, Classic and Open Campdrafts) run-off, taking home a cheque for $500.

Troy Palmer Riding HELLS A COMIN owned by Terry Snow

The Mavericks Western Wear Masters Final had 15 competitors on open aged horses purchased from the 2018 Classic Sale vying for the Champion title. Troy Palmer added another Masters win to the book, riding Terry Snow’s mare “Hell’s A Comin” (Bobs Hickory Rio x One Hellofa Spin) for a 90 in the final and a 178 overall.

Jason Wanstall riding ERVINES DUNDEE owned by Great Southern Syndicate

Tuesday night’s final rounds were kicked off by the AELEC Arena Bar Dash For Cash, which was an exciting hit out between the top 10 geldings after 2 rounds of the Classic. A cash pool of $5,000 thanks to Andrew Pieper (who keeps us all well hydrated at the AELEC Arena Bar all week!) and a service fee to Smooth Talkin Style thanks to Tom & Jane Williamson were on offer – a fantastic incentive for the increasingly popular gelding market. The 2019 Dash For Cash Champions were Jason Wanstall & “Ervines Dundee” (Clarke Family Review x Ervines Chicko) owned by the Great Southern Syndicate – they nabbed the title with a well-earned 89 point run.

Billy-Jo Rae riding COOINDA KNIGHTS EVE

Billy-Jo Rae and “Cooinda Knight’s Eve” were on fire in the 2019 Martins Stock Haulage Open Campdraft, with a smoking run for 91 in the Tuesday night final which took their aggregate to 268, enough to steer ahead and take the 2019 title. Thank you to event partners Martins Stock Haulage for their ongoing support of the Landmark Classic and the Open Campdraft which continues to be such thrilling viewing each year.