The World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft at Bawley Point’s Willinga Park has been a hit with spectators and competitors alike.
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Crowds poured into the world-class equestrian centre to experience the speed and agility of the horses, and the superior horse and cattle skills demonstrated by the riders. They didn’t go home disappointed.
The hotly contested campdraft ran over three days, with round one kicking off on Thursday, May 17 and culminating in the final on Saturday, May 19.
The event awarded a total prize pool of more than $225,000 – a figure not seen before in horse sports outside of racing and Queensland campdrafter Pete Comiskey, took home more than $100,000 of the offerings.
Mr Comiskey rode his roan mare Paris for the top score across the two final rounds of the world’s richest campdraft competition.
It was a long drive for Comiskey, who travelled more than 20 hours with 13 horses from the small town of Nebo in Central QLD, where he operates a cattle station.
“This is a fantastic, family-friendly sport, and what Terry Snow is doing with campdrafting is taking it to the next level,” he said.
Campdrafting is a family affair for the Comiskeys, with partner Bryony also a finalist at Willinga Park, and a five-year-old son who also competes. Pete himself started campdrafting at the age of eight.
With many prestigious wins under his belt, Mr Comiskey has had an illustrious career in campdrafting, and said there was only one key to his success.
“The only secret is hard work, that’s all it comes down to,” he said.
The Gold Buckle Campdraft is the brainchild of Willinga Park owner Terry Snow, a passionate campdrafting fan, and breeder of the Australian Stock Horse that is commonly used in the sport.
“I wanted to promote campdrafting as a spectator event and I think we’ve done that,” he said.
“More than 3000 people have enjoyed a day in the county with great hospitality, and the best campdrafting ever in Australia.
“It’s been truly awe inspiring.”
RESULTS
FINAL
- Winner – Pete Comiskey riding Paris (89.67 that was added to his 90 in the semi-final for a winning total of 179.67)
SEMI-FINAL
- Winner – Pete Comiskey riding Paris (90)
- Second – Hugh Miles riding Two Timin’ Chic (89.33)
- = Third - Alan Sinclair riding One Moore Pleasure (89.33)
- = Third - Mark Buttsworth riding One Stylish Pepto (89.33)
ROUND 2
- Winner – Karl Burton riding Oaks Penny (91)
- Second – Hugh Miles riding Dually Teles (90.67)
- Third – Peter Boulton riding Destiny’s Serenity (90.34)
WILLINGA DASH
- Winner – Terry Hall riding Turners Congirl (89.67)
- Second – Ben Tapp riding Cooldust (89.34)
- Third – Mark Palmer riding Palmers El Condo (89)
CUTOUT FEATURE
- Winner $11,800 – Scott Brandy riding ROC CD (24)
ROUND 1
- Winner Pete Comiskey riding Paris (91)
- Second Mark Buttsworth riding One Stylish Pepto (90.67)
- Third Troy Palmer riding Who’s Divine (90.34)
- = 4th – Scott Bandy riding Roc CD (90)
- = 4th – Pete Comiskey riding Duck n Down (90)
- = 4th – Troy Palmer riding Whitney (90)
- = 4th – Luke Cheney riding Diamond Deal (90)
- = 4th – Dean Rogers riding BR Summer Reyn (90)
- 9th – John Mulcahy riding TKO (89.67)
- = 10th – Peter Grills riding Traveller (89.33)
- = 10th – Hugh Miles riding Two Timin’ Chic (89.33)