Gold Buckle Campdraft: It's a wrap!
Well, what a fantastic weekend!
The Willinga Park team is so proud of what was achieved during the Gold Buckle Campdraft. We’ve had so many kind messages from competitors, volunteers, and spectators, and we are thrilled that you all enjoyed the event.
Thanks to each and every person who helped to pull off such an exceptional event. Though we can’t put every single name in this post, you know who you are, and your contribution, big or small, was the reason our events just keep getting better and better. In no particular order we would like to give a special mention to the following:
The Cattle donors, Geoffrey and Sally White, Peter Hall, Manildra Group, Dean and Lee Rogers, Greg Withers, and Hillview Murrumbateman. Thank you for your generosity. We had a good mix of cattle over the weekend. Some tested the skill of our horsemen. But due to this, we can all agree that, the Final showcased the best of the best!
To the wonderful sponsors, without whom events like this would not be possible. Thank you for your support: Fielders Steel, Lennock Volkswagen Phillip, Volkswagen, Landmark Equine, GroupOne, Construction Control, Cox Architects, Geo Babington Engineering, Roohide Saddlery, New Holland, Semco Equipment Sales, Shepherd Electrical, Benmax, Holcim, Shoreline, CRT Milton Country Store, Advanced Kitchens, IRT, Pryde’s EasiFeed, Classic Equine, Saddleworld Nowra, Bayldon Ag, Australian Campdrafting Magazine & Australian Performance Horse Magazine, Horseland Wollongong, and Harold Boot Company Pty. Ltd.
The judges: Mick Wilson, Brian Southern & Jason Wanstall. Thank you for the high-quality judging, under a lot of pressure. It was a pleasure hosting you here, and we were very proud to have you at the event. There was not one protest about the marks. All the contestants agreed the judging was exceptional.
The commentators: Brooke French and Glenn Morgan. You are so professional in everything you do. You are the reason that anyone in the public can come along and understand equestrian sports without having been involved before. We have had numerous messages about how much the commentary made the event so exciting. Brooke also thanks for coordinating the scoring team and helping with Campdraft Central.
Landmark Equine’s Mark Barton and team: You added so much to this event. Thank you for not only running a highly professional sale, but also for all your help behind the scenes. The ideas you brought to the table – the Calcutta, and the Australian anthem to name a couple, really boosted this event to a new height. We hope you enjoyed it as much as us and we are really looking forward to working with you for many years to come.
Glenn O’Neill and John Mitchell. It was an honour to have you here, having traveled all the way from North America to compete. We hope you had an exciting time and will tell everyone at home about the event. Thanks also to Jim Lyons and Brett Welsh for loaning some fantastic horses for these gentlemen to ride.
The Canberra Airport Team – Mel E, Karen, Mel F, Leesa, Damien, James, Annie, Gabbie, Bel, Michelle, Kathleen & Kylie. This group were there to help with everything from administration, to accounting and marketing, and they make our tiny office team feel like a well-oiled corporate organisation. Thank you!
The organising committee: Pete, Scott, Brett, Troy, Lindsey, Terry, Hanna & Nat. You have poured endless hours into planning this event, to make it better than any other. So many creative ideas came from this group, and that has shifted the “way it has always been done” to create something truly entertaining and exciting. Troy thanks for coming up with the event concept and liaising with many riders. Pete you seemed to be working in all corners during the event! Scotty, we hope your fan club stick around for next year – We will organise some pre-signed hats.
Our awesome photographers: Stephen Mowbray Photography and Ginette Snow. You don’t just take the best photos in the industry. You pour all your energy into making the event a success in every way you can.
Thanks to the Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro for opening the event on Finals Day, Mia Byron who nailed the National anthem, and Jade Mitchell who carried our flag with pride.
The First Aid officers – Rick and Di Broad. Thankfully we didn’t need your help too much. But thanks for being there just in case, and we look forward to receiving your runs next year Rick.
Tallwood Eatery, Matt, Ingrid, and team, we were (as always) spoilt by your cooking, but special mention must be made of your efforts in getting the bar up and running with such success.
Jack Ericson and Michael Burke, our behind-the-scenes tech wizards, you not only make sure the PA and IT systems work, but are willing to do whatever task needs doing, whether that be coordinating freestyle music or mail merging raffle tickets!
Also, a big thanks to our other technology partners: Tim from Guzbox who got the radio frequency up and running. Deon from Australian Equine Network for the streaming.
Showmakers: Thank you for the excellent camera work, and the fantastic live production team. It was a pleasure to work with Steve, Michelle, Lou and the rest of your team. We are looking forward to receiving the Outback Cowboys sizzler to share with all our helpers and supporters.
Nat Foxon from Foxed PR – thanks for keeping everyone, who couldn’t make it to the event, in the loop through our website, Facebook and streaming. And for helping our media partners get the best stories.
To the scorers and scribes: Lisa, Liz, Cathie, Trevor, Karen, Mel, Jenny, Lise, Jo, Mackenzie, Skye, Nicole, Drew, Morgan, Jess, Alan, James, Kerry & Chris (and others who jumped in from time to time). Thanks for the long hours and attention to detail.
Our fantastic team running errands on the buggy – Jo Humphries and Tracey, thank you for making sure everyone was well fed and watered. This is such an important role.
The arena maintenance team – Pete, Fred and GroupOne, the surface was top notch (and crucial to the safety of our competitors), and we owe that to your meticulous, high-speed grading, rolling and watering.
The Cattle team: Scott, Brett, Bruce, Ralph, Alan, Andrew, Glenn, Paul, Darren, Simon, Graham, Dean, Michael, & Wade. We can’t even count the number of kind comments we have had about your skill and tactfulness in the yard, keeping all the cattle happy. Well done. Pete Comisky was particularly complimentary.
The Murramarang Mens Shed were on hand to help with parking, the gate, and ensured everyone was kept well fed, serving up hearty BBQ food throughout the weekend. We hope you have made a huge dent in that shed fund! Thank you for your ongoing support of our events!
Helga & Meagan – no one can sell raffle tickets like these two! Your efforts meant we could put extra cash towards the Willinga Dash! So, thank you.
Eleanor Cubis, there is no face more welcoming than yours for our Grazing Pavilion. We have a feeling we might need to have a bigger marquee next year!
Clay from Campdraft Central, we threw you some curve balls this event, doing things differently to ever before! But there was no task too challenging, and you were always willing to help us out with the scoring platform, even late into the night. Please thank your family for allowing us to steal you away.
Nick Barnier, thanks for dealing with the various infrastructure quirks that come with an event like this. The grandstand looked amazing, the septic system was managed very well, and the challenges we had with power all went under the radar – so thanks. Thanks as well to the Shepherd Electrical boys who worked tirelessly in the lead up to make sure we were all energized!
Bus tour guides: thanks to Andrew Sharp, Chris Millman, Stephen Byron, Damien, Craig, Brett and others who jumped on the buses. The spectators really appreciated it.
Our musical contributors – The Screamin’ Eagles, Brad Cox and The Brothers, Michael Downie and Rachele Riedemann. Thank you for the fantastic entertainment!
Our WP equine staff: Sal, Cherie, Yvette – Thanks for helping with the judge and sale horses each day, and other odd jobs as required. Thanks also to farrier Charlie for being on call all weekend.
The rest of the WP grounds team were at our beck and call throughout the event, to move all kinds of equipment around: Chadd, Craig, Glenn, Stuey, Chris, Mitch & Frenchy. We are so lucky to have all of you. What a team!
Cleaning staff: Nikki and Chris, you are such legends, going around and picking up after everyone. Thank you! Special thanks for making all our guest’s beds around Bawley Point as well!
Brett Parbery : Parbery Performance Horses, what a treat it was to watch you perform a freestyle on Finals Day, particularly after you delivered such an impressive cut-out the night prior. You are truly inspirational.
Thanks also to the following groups who went above and beyond to make this event a success: South Coast Party Hire, Ausprint Show Ribbons, Stable 8 Custom Horse Rugs, Mistral Clothing, Ulladulla Drycleaners and Laundromat, and Aussie Embroidery & Workwear.
Results and photos
Cut Out Feature results and gallery
Willinga Dash results and gallery
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