2106 Nominations - 398 Competitors

By Brad Pfeffer, Queensland Country Life.

MARK Palmer (pictured) reckons luck was on his side at the Queensland Country Life Paradise Lagoons campdraft over the weekend.

And the horse breeder and sportsman from Quirindi in NSW says he was always going to need it, competing in the nation’s richest campdraft and taking part in a three-day spectacular featuring 10 events and a hotly contested $175,000 prize pool.

But skill and luck came through to help him achieve his first major win for the sport, scooping the Acton Superbeef Open, which came with a hefty $15,000 cash prize.

His horse, Superb, which he bred, broke in, and trained himself, ran through to help him score 260 points in the event, a mere one point ahead of second place getters Troy Clarke, Troy Palmer, and Mark Buttsworth. Right behind them on 258 points were Pete Comiskey and Ken Bright.

“As far as campdrafting goes, you can’t do better than the show that everyone has put on here at Paradise Lagoons,” Mr Palmer said. “To ride against the cream of the crop such as these guys is great, and to be lucky enough to have a bit of success really adds to the experience.

“Compared to some of these competitors I’m probably the next step down. But on the day if you have that bit of luck go your way with the cattle out in the ring then that really helps.”

In other events, Mark Buttsworth on Double Doc and Ben Hall on Playrio scored equal first in the stallion ride. Lindsay Knight on Cortina won in the Supergirl Spectacular, while industry great Pete Comiskey scored top points in the Rumevite open, adding $10,000 to his prize pool. Nigel Kable won in the novice draft, Julie Hill won in the ladies draft, and Cameron Parker won in the O’Brien under five stockman’s challenge.

In all, the event drew 2106 nominations from 398 competitors.

Pictures: Mike Kenyon, www.kenyonsportsphotos.com.au

Acton Super Beef Australian Open Campdraft
$60,000 Prizemoney + Trophies Score
1st Pete Comiskey Roanys Chex 266
2nd Mac Shann Jackson 265
3rd /4th Michael Hayes Mercedies 261
Linda Hingst Expected Revolver 261
5th/6th/7th Barry Southern Finance 257
Craig Radke Set 257
Troy Palmer Sarina 257
8th John Mulchay Gran 256
9th /10th Ronald Howson Cadence 254
Kerry Thomson Dove 254
Highest Cutout – Ben Hall Reliable 23
Judge Peter Petty Tenterfield

Ridleys Agriproduct Rockhampton Open Draft
$50,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Michael Hayes Mercedies 259
2nd Ben Hall Reliable 258
3rd John Mulchay Baywatch 257
4th/5th Jackie Knudsen Expected Barrister 253
Rohan Marks Revolver 253
6th Sarah Gordon Gonzales 252
7th/8th/9th Les Stewart Stewarts Danni-Lee 251
Peter Glenwright Back Street 251
Matt Weber Chime 251
10th Wally Rea Check Mate 250
Highest Cutout – Troy Palmer Macka 24
Judge Nicholas Markwell Eidsvold

Fraser Livestock Transport Stallion Draft
$10,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Barry Johnson Soda Thomson 179
2nd/3rd Ken MacCullum Victory 178
Terry Hall Conman 178
4th/5th Ben Hall Playrio 176
Trevor Griffiths Peachy Stud Alibi 176
6th/7th/8th Mark Palmer Navaho 175
Lindsay Knight O’Riley 175
Terry Hall Marnies Destiny 175
9th Rohan Marks Aqua Oblique 174
10th Rick Hopkins Scott’s Alibi 173
Highest Cutout – Stewart Wallace Doc’s Holly Oak 24
Judge Wally Rea Marlborough

Ian Weigh Motors Novice Draft
$10,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Ron Wall Jayar Hobo 331 (Run Off)
2nd Ken Knudsen Goldmine 281 (Run Off)
3rd/4th Barry Southern Omen 258
Barry Johnson Little Blue 258
5th/6th John Mulchay Whiskey 257
Troy Palmer Impressive Destiny 257
7th/8th Matthew Smith Relic 256
Craig Radke Set 256
9th Lisa Wallace Comara Bobby 255
10th Graeme Acton Super Girl 254
Lloyd Stranks Vanity 254
Highest Cutout – Peter Glenwright Nomad 23
Judge Tim Williams Moree

Paradise Lagoons Supergirl Spectacular
$10,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Pete Comiskey Roanys Chex 265 (Run Off)
2nd Roderick Hay Koola 262 (Run Off)
3rd Tom Acton Swift 255 (Run Off)
4th Michael Hayes Mercedies 197 (Run Off)
5th Sarita Core Susie Wong 196 (Run Off)
6th Troy Palmer Glory 175
7th Sam Knight Serena 173
8th Bruce Hollis Flo Jo 172
9th/10th/11th Evan Acton Blue Moon 171
Ben Hewitt Diamontina 171
Rebecca Hewitt Cameo 171
Highest Cutout – Bruce Hollis Flo Jo 23
Judge Robyn Paine The Gums

Wilangi Brahmans Ladies Draft
$7,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Susan Symes Let’s Boogie 177
2nd/3rd Kathy Core Lilla Ck Dust Glow 174
Dal-Marie Glenwright Shania 174
4th/5th/6th Sarah Knight Jabiru 170
Bridget Knight Warrego 170
Marina Wright Expression 170
7th Deb O’Brien Neirbo Redette 166
8th Kimberley Woltmann Kirkby’s Stud Oscar 164
9th Jackie Knudsen Expected Barrister 162
10th Kandiece King Dinkum 144
Highest Cutout – Norma Jones Rippalena 24
Judge Pete Comiskey Nebo

O’Brien Trading Under 5 Stockmans Challenge
$7,000 includes Prizemoney and Trophies
1st Cameron Parker Christmas Spin 976.5
2nd Mark Buttsworth Double Duckling 972
3rd Huon Smith Womina Emma 946
4th Tony Mortimer Marnies Ace 941.5
5th Jessica Doherty Bullunbud Illusion 921.5
6th Karl Burton Charity Lena 911
7th Huon Smith Millungeras Harry Potter 848.5
8th Brad Comiskey Amaroo Ima Acres 838
9th Errol Cooper Kamaru Barrister 806
10th Rick Hopkins A.D. Easter In Hollywood 755.5

Volvo Two Handed Cutting
1st Bradley Buttsworth Doc’s Abigail 74
2nd Leonard Coombs Spins Scorpio 73
3rd Blair Angus Zambucca 72.5
4th/5th Josie Angus Baton Rouge 72
Josie Angus Amaroo Henry’s Niner 72

Win Television Wild Card Super Shoot Out
Winner -$1000
Adam Rea Braveheart Charters Towers

National Australia Bank National Campdraft Championship
$10,000 Prizemoney & Trophies
1st Ben Hall Reliable 354 Julia Creek
2nd/3rd Ken Boulton Settler 345 Heyfield VIC
David Reiter Strokin Oakie 345 Codrington VIC
4th Evan Acton Twilight 343 Julia Creek
5th/6th Richard Hansen Petite Perfection 342 Alpha
Troy Palmer Macka 342 Murrurundi NSW
7th Craig Radke Bandena 339 Mundubbera
8th Nikki Marshall Classy 49er 337 Springsure
9th Terry Hall Conman 336 Goondiwindi
10th/11th Jarrod Hannaford Robo 331 Barraba NSW
Murray Williamson Gambler 331 Middlemount
12th Tony Hair Radius 328 Chinchilla
Highest Cutout Aggregate – David Reiter Strokin Oakie 89 Codrington VIC

Acton Super Beef Australian Open Campdraft
$60,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Robert Ryan Sinbad 265 Wandoan
2nd/3rd Les Stewart Finique 264 Capella
Troy Clarke Redeem 264 Bingara NSW
4th Adam Rea Braveheart 261 Charters Towers
5th/6th John Mulchay Busters Rowena 260 Roma
Rohan Marks Aussie 260 Clermont
7th Leeanne Comiskey Rose Lawson 259 Alpha
8th Richard Hansen Petite Perfection 257 Alpha
9th Troy Palmer Glory 256 Murrurundi NSW
10th Ben Hall Reliable 255 Julia Creek
Highest Cutout – Linda Hingst Expected Revolver 24 Glamorganvale
(4 on run off)
Judge Bob Black Kingaroy

Ridleys Agriproduct Rockhampton Open Draft
$50,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Bob Black Try-On 263 Kingaroy
2nd Robert Ryan Sinbad 261 Wandoan
3rd Ben Hall Reliable 258 Julia Creek
4th Tony Kendall Repetition 257 Hughenden
5th John Mulchay Baywatch 252 Roma
6th Ashley Smith Pinaine 251 Hughenden
7th/8th Terry Hall Marnies Destiny 250 Goondiwindi
Nicholas Markwell Superman 250 Mt Tyson
9th Evan Acton Twlight 249 Julia Creek
10th Steve Comiskey Atmosphere 248 Capella
Highest Cutout – Terry Hall Conman 24 Goondiwindi
(2 on run off)
Judge Ken Bright Katherine

Fraser Livestock Transport Stallion Draft
$10,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Peter Black BMW 176 Alpha
2nd Mac Shann Kilt 172 Clermont
3rd Nigel Kable Ivory 170 Rydel NSW
4th Lee Cameron Beats Walkin 167 Roma
5th/6th Barry Southern Reaction 166 St George
Craig Ervine Kirkby’s Stud Echo 166 Narrabri NSW
7th Ron Wall Jayar Hobo 165 Julia Creek
8th Rohan Marks Oaks Joss 108 Clermont
9th Fred Spannagle Mandela 105 Springsure
10th Col McIntyre Beau View Alfie 104 Rathdowney
Highest Cutout – Huon Smith Lethal Lena 23 Goomeri
(4 on run off)
Judge Garry Hornery Emerald

Westco Sales/Volvo Novice Draft
$10,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Paul Vary Lightning 264 Tabulam NSW
2nd/3rd Lindsay Knight Soda O’Riley 261 Gunnedah NSW
Jim Lyons Kahluah 261 Tamworth NSW
4th Bruce Briscoe Emma 260 Injune
5th Terry Hall Tassa Little Jewel 259 Goondiwindi
6th/7th Lindsay Anderson Chiquta 258 Hivesville
Peter O’Neill Roma 258 Bauhinia
8th Neville Fanning Glenrae Creeper 256 Warwick
9th Kerry Turner Soda Martina 255 Aramac
10th John Corbett Greendale Acres 254 Adelong NSW
Highest Cutout – Linda Hingst Expected Ballet 24 Glamorganvale
(5 on run off)
Judge Alan Heading Moranbah

Wilangi Brahmans Ladies Draft
$7,000 Prizemoney + Trophies
1st Jaye Hall Lex 175 Julia Creek
2nd Chris Hall Conman 174 Goondiwindi
3rd Rachel Smith True Blue 172 Marburg
4th Dale Lyons Kahlua 171 Tamworth NSW
5th Claudette Neville Jokara Maestro 170 Inverell NSW
6th/7th Tanya Bellingham Glenrae Lyndal 169 Warwick
Jane Hall Marnies Destiny 169 Goondiwindi
8th Allison Boshammer Shiner Bock 168 Black River
9th Julie Brown Scooter Niner 167 Wondai
10th Kimberley Woltmann Oscar 166 Longreach
Highest Cutout – Sarah Bridges Boonara Saffron 22 Alpha
(19 for run off)
Judge Mac Shann Clermont

O’Brien Trading Under 5 Stockmans Challenge
$7,000 includes Prizemoney and Trophies
1st Mark Buttsworth Taffeta 962.5 Kingaroy
2nd Cameron Parker Denham Range Basic Instinct 946 Clermont
3rd Ron Wall Soda Oliver 936 Julia Creek
4th Tony Mortimer Kerrie 922.5 Gayndah
5th Ben Hall Ransom 916 Julia Creek
6th Rick Hopkins Elbon Flex N Chex 911.5 Alton Downs
7th Troy Palmer Maverick 895 Murrurundi NSW
8th Ron Wall Jayar Mystery 874 Julia Creek
9th Huon Smith Jellicoe Margarita 868 Goomeri
10th Jessica Doherty Cool Doc Moore 798.5 Goomeri

Ian Weigh Motors Over 5 Stockmans Challenge
$7,000 includes Prizemoney and Trophies
1st William Tapp Freckles 49er 1011.5 Katherine NT
2nd Huon Smith Lethal Lena 1002.5 Goomeri
3rd Dan Baker Mahatma Cote 993 Stanwell
4th/5th John Arnold Oak Rush 977 Longreach
Mick Connolly Spins Brigalow 977 Clifton
6th Doug O’Neill Cutters Rose 947.5 Charters Towers
7th Jason Philp Knights Augustus 929.5 Nebo
8th Andrew Currie Oaks Actress 903 Emerald
9th Andrew Currie Doc Spinquin 880.5 Emerald
10th Josie Angus Baton Rouge 810.5 Clermont

Stockman Challenge Judges
Gordon & Sue Salmond Clermont
Fred Spannagle Springsure
Ian Francis

Inaugural National Campdraft Championship
1st - Pete Comiskey (Nebo) on Darwin’s Diamond - score 429
2nd - Robert Plant (Chinchilla) on Merlin – score 366
3rd - Ken Boulton (Heyfield VIC) on Overcast – score 344
Highest Aggregate Cut Out – Pete Comiskey

Acton Super Beef Australian Open Campdraft – 431 starters
1st - Terry Hall (Goondiwindi) on Lottie – score 265
2nd - Ben Hall (Julia Creek) on Reliable – score 264 (won last year)
3rd - Ken Boulton (Heyfield VIC) on Overcast – score 260
Highest Cut Out – Vic Gough on Vintage Casey - score 23

Ridley’s Agriproducts Rockhampton Open Draft – 432 starters
1st - Ken Boulton (Heyfield VIC) on Diamond Tina – score 260
2nd - Mac Shann (Clermont) on Sylvia Vale Kilt – score 259
3rd - Ronald Howson (Dirranbandi) on Candence – score 258
Highest Cut Out – Huon Smith on Lethal Lena - 25

Causeway Produce Agency Ladies Draft – 91 starters
1st - Brooke Fitzgerald (Roma ) (Age 15) on Rosareeka – score 177
2nd - Louise Donovan (Alpha) on Dream – score 174
3rd - Shari Knudsen (Chinchilla) on Dancer – score 172
Highest Cut Out – Jane Hall on Romantic Oak – score 23

Approximately 500 horses and 290 competitors

Those of you keen on the sport of campdrafting, and for that matter even those of you who are not, mark 29th April to 1st May clearly in your 2005 diary.

These are the dates of the annual Paradise Lagoons Campdraft in Central Queensland.

The three day event conducted in conjunction with the inaugural Horse Australia expo will attract the best exponents of the sport from every mainland state of Australia.

The purpose designed and constructed complex is sited on Paradise Lagoons - one of the Acton Land and Cattle Company’s Central Queensland properties, owned by Graeme and Jennie Acton who are based at Paradise, and Evan and Kim Acton who live and work on another of their properties - the million acre Milungera Station, up in the gulf.

Paradise Lagoons is ideally located, just shy of twenty kilometres from the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

Although Graeme suggests the river city could in years to come, also be tagged as the Horse Capital of Australia.

Graeme’s passion for horses is evident not merely by the many hats he wears in campdrafting - as visionary and designer of the complex, Chairman of the organising committee, and a keen competitor, but also in his role as Chairman of Horse Australia.

The Paradise Lagoons complex was officially opened by the Hon. John Anderson MP, deputy Prime Minister of Australia, and Ed McCormack, President of the national Campdraft Council, before a large audience.

During speeches, Graeme and Evan outlined their decision to dedicate the magnificent complex in honour of their parents, the late Val and Tom Acton MBE, both of whom shared a passion for horse sports of all disciplines.

The inaugural draft conducted in May 2003 was heralded a huge success by competitors, spectators and event committee members and attracted 1,200 plus nominations.

Competitors battled for a share of $130,000 in prizemoney and trophies, making it Australia’s richest campdraft.

With such a large purse on offer, the line-up included some of Australia¹s finest horsemen and women riding some of the nation’s best horses.

Competition was thrilling and extremely close with spectators treated to edge of the seat action and the finest displays of horse and rider working as one, in their efforts to complete the course and score well.

Through generous support of sponsors, in 2004 prizemoney was increased to $140,000 with the level of competition and rider and horse skills judged superior to the previous year’s event.

The weekend program included the $60,000 Acton Super Beef Australian Open Campdraft, the $50,000 Ridley Agriproducts Rockhampton Open Draft and the $10,000 Causeway Produce Agency Ladies Draft.

The weekend also featured the first ever National Campdraft Championship, sponsored by the National Australia Bank.

Stock for the event is specifically selected and supplied by Acton Land and Cattle Company, with in excess of fifteen hundred steers being transported from Moray Downs and Croydon Station.

The centrepiece of the all-weather, floodlit complex is a large entertainment pavilion housing a fully stocked bar and modern well-equipped kitchen.

Seating in the pavilion and adjoining terraced decks provides for around 600, complemented by portable grandstands for a further 300. A sponsors’ marquee with bar, increases total seating to over 1,000, with expansive lush lawned areas providing for families on blankets.

First class facilities for around 800 campers, their horses and vehicles include powered sites with water, showers and toilets, sited close to a large exercise area.

And whilst the complex has been acclaimed by many campdrafters as the best in Australia, Graeme and Evan are currently expanding the facilities. Additions include a second campdraft arena, and associated camp, laneways and coolers, plus a cutting arena.

During the 2005 event all areas will be operational, ensuring nonstop action for competitors and spectators.

So, why not make it a date - Paradise Lagoons Campdraft - the last weekend of April 2005.