Paradise Lagoons Campdraft Roaring Success
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