The 2024 Nutrien Classic Campdraft & Sale has kicked off in style at Tamworth’s Australian Equine & Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) with the opening day already seeing some fantastic runs on the board across, first Round 1 sections of numerous competition events.
First underway was the Prydes Easifeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge (Dry Work), where the magical combination of Munduberra competitor Leah Read and The Challenge Syndicate’s stallion LETHAL KING COLE (NRR Cat King Cole x Tassas Lethal Spin) leads the way with an 87.5. Ensuring her mark was left in the AELEC indoor arena, Leah also runs 3rd on The Robinson Family owned SUNG TOO SUEN (Boon Too Suen x Tamarang Destiny Ardagio) with an 84.75.
2021 Young Guns Champion Matt Moffat comes into Saturdays remaining Round 1 competition in second place with an 85.75, aboard another young stallion in Brad & Briony Comiskey’s SPRINGSTEEN (One Time Royalty x Purrfect).
Across in the Campdraft arena, competitors were beating the heat with some sizzling scores in Round 1 (first section) of the Martin’s Open Campdraft. Will Durkin leads the way with a 92 point ride on Kim and Evan Acton’s mare HAZELWOOD CONSPIRACY (Hazelwood Conman x Spin N Acres), just ahead of three competitors with a 91 – Murray Wilkinson with his stallion MEGACAT (Cat N A Hat x Soda Osprey), John McDonald and MCDONALDS MISS SCARLET (Acres Destiny x Tazoo) and Warwick Lawrence on HUNTER VIEW LYRIC CHIC (Conductor x Cedar Downs Smart Chic).
With four 90 point rides also in the mix and the remainder of Round 1 to come, there are some serious points to chase.
The Nutrien Classic hallmark event – the Classic Campdraft, for horses aged 5 years and under previously purchased from the Sale – kicked off in the cool of late afternoon, with Morgan Webb aboard CANTAUR PARK HOSTESS (Moore Heart Ache x Glen Bryde Tess Destiny) owned by John Power, Melissa & Alex Molloy, putting together a 22-65-4 for a pace-setting 91 points.
Previous Classic Champion, Ben Hall, is not far behind – with a 90 point ride aboard Craig & Carolyn McNabb’s YALATTA PARKS BELLE (Wallabah Excel x Kaylee Park Chime).
Lacey Newton on Newland Grazing’s gelding DUCK N DUAL (Breks Duck Yeah x Spins Fancy Rey) and Will Durkin on his mare BANSHEE TELESI (One Stylish Pepto x Yulgilbar Can Roc Again) are not far off the pace with 89’s.
With Round 1 results to be determined over the weekend, the competition will no doubt match Tamworth’s summer weather. Saturday will see an early start for the next section of Open Campdraft riders, with the Charlie Maher Young Guns Campdraft commencing at 11am, Classic Campdraft continuing at 5:30pm and the first National Campdraft Council of Australia Champion Rider event scheduled for Sunday.
