2020 Nutrien Equine Classic Sale & Campdraft
Unprecedented Results For 1st Nutrien Classic Sale And Campdraft
2020 Nutrien Classic wraps up as the highest-grossing sale to date
Australia’s nine-day premier campdrafting competition and performance horse sale, The Nutrien Classic concluded its 2020 event on Sunday 9 February; and has been declared a huge success.
So far, The Classic has generated more than $7.65Million in horse sales, with several sales still under negotiation and processing. With average selling price currently sitting at $15,813 and a clearance rate of more than 84%, the 2020 Classic is now recorded as the highest-grossing sale over its 13 years; and is the fourth year running that the sale has exceeded $7Million.
Koobah Performance Horses was the purchaser of this year’s top seller Branchvale Metal Alloy – a stallion by Metallic Cat out of Reys Little Hottie – on account of Emdee Enterprisers, who sold for an incredible $126,000 on day four of the Sale.
Stand out prices from the sale also include Depco Pastoral’s purchase of WICKED DUCK on account of ESTL John Brekelmans for $77,500; and Balmoral Downs Stock Horses purchase of EAGLE BRAVE on account of B & E Mooney for $44,000.
METALLIC STORM on account of Jim & Lynda MacCallum was passed in during the sale at $75,000 but later sold to Metallic Storm Syndicate for $100,000.
Nutrien’s Equine Mark Barton said event organisers are delighted with the overall success of the event.
“The quality of competition, horsemanship, and breeding displayed over the past nine days have been incredible to see. There’s no doubt; our industry has experienced several challenges this year – from floods in Northern QLD to crippling drought and the recent bushfires – the odds have been against us. But the results generated during the event are a testament to the positivity and dedication of our competitors, buyers, vendors and spectators who have worked tirelessly to prepare for The Classic,” he said.
The sale wasn’t the only side of the event that shone brightly, with riders traveling from all over the country to participate in the highly regarded campdraft competition. The Classic saw a total of 1,166 nominations and 398 individuals take to the arena to battle it out for a share in over $270,000 worth of prizes across 11 different event categories.
CLASSIC LADIES FOUNDATION
The Classic Ladies Foundation, a group of women from all over Australia who are associated with the campdrafting and performance horse industry, again rallied together at The Classic to raise funds and awareness for their annual charity of choice. This year, The Classic Ladies Foundation was supporting Rural Aid and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, two issues that have deeply affected their community. Across the nine days, The Foundation sold more than 800 custom caps, ran several raffles, held a luncheon and received the funds from one of the water buffalo sold during the Sale, which has generated more than $65,000. Since establishing five years ago, The Classic Ladies Foundation has donated all proceeds from their fundraising efforts directly to the charities they support.
The Nutrien Equine team extended their gratitude to all of those who helped to make the event possible.
“The Classic is a great event and an annual highlight for many that would not be made possible without all those who lend a helping hand,” said Mark Barton. “We cannot express our thanks enough to the team at AELEC, our sponsors and supporters, the competitors and vendors, the spectators and our wider Nutrien team who all play a huge part in making The Classic an annual highlight. Nutrien Equine
“We also extend our thanks to Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, whose $5,000 contribution to The Classic has assisted in the transportation costs for the water buffalo we purchased from The Northern Territory, as a way to counteract the impact the drought was having on sourcing livestock for the event.
“We are excited to see what the rest of 2020 has in store for the Australian Performance Horse industry and campdrafting sector – an industry that we love and are proud to contribute to.
“See you at The Classic, 2021!” concluded Mark.
2020 Nutrien Classic Campdraft And Challenge Competition Highlights
The Nutrien Classic Campdraft and Sale kicked-off at Tamworth’s Australian Equine and Livestock Centre (AELEC) on Saturday 1 February and has so far seen some high calibre talent take to the arenas for the first half of the nine-day event.
Over the past five days, some of the country’s strongest competitors have been battling it out for a share in over $270,000 worth of prizes. The following results are a highlight of some of the competition results to date:
A new and exciting addition to The Classic line-up has been 68 water buffalo, transported from Katherine, Northern Territory. Purchased to use during pre-works and to feature in the sale, the water buffalo have proven to be a successful drought-proofing alternative for The Classic with the ongoing drought having impacted the livestock sector.
Now leading into the second half of The Classic, the big drawcard is the performance horse sale, with vendors and buyers travelling from every state and territory to take part. Last year, sales exceeded $7 million for the third year running, with 83% of horses sold.
“The competition side of The Classic has so far been both positive and strong, and everyone seems to be having a really great time,” “We now look forward to seeing what results and excitement are in store for the next few days, as we begin the sales and draw to the end of The Classic for 2020.”
Visitors can attend The Classic every day and all evening events for FREE. But, it’s not just about the competition and sale; there are also 60 trade site exhibitions on show, offering a huge range of merchandise from western fashion, artwork and homewares to saddlery and vet products.
Over the past 13 years, The Classic has earned the title of Australia’s biggest campdraft and sale, hosting up to 500 competitors, 300 horse handlers, 5,500 daily visitors and more than 491,000 livestream views across the nine days.
