September 3, 2013
The prestigious Australian Campdraft Association National Finals – the major event in the Australian campdrafting calendar – will kick off tomorrow at the Kilkivan Showgrounds.
Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley is scheduled to conduct the official opening and the first rounds of the Novice, Ladies and Restricted Open drafts will get underway.
The ACA National Finals, which are being hosted by the Kilkivan Show and Campdraft Association, have attracted the stars of campdrafting to the South Burnett who will be competing for thousands of dollars in prize money and trophies.
The major events are:
- Bundaberg Rum Novice Draft ($10,000 plus TPM Saddle)
- Gympie Saddle World Ladies Draft ($3000)
- Sullivan Livestock & Rural Services Open Draft ($20,000)
- Acton Super Beef Restricted Open Draft ($5000)
- Saxby Feedlot Juvenile Draft ($1000)
The Highest Average Competitor for the competition will win a MorrowMade saddle.
Other events include the Rookie Horse & Super Quest Competition; and the ACA Top 30 Shootout.
Each night after the campdraft action is over, there’ll be entertainment at the showgrounds, including live music, a mechanical bull and a tug-of-war competition.
On Friday night, an auction of service fees from three leading stud horses – ‘Hazelwood Conman’, ‘Marnies Destiny’, and ‘World Class’ – will be held to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled.
The ACA Presentation Dinner – which is already a sellout! – will be held on Saturday night.
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The national finals were re-scheduled from April to September after the Kilkivan Showgrounds were badly damaged in the January 2013 floods.
Gympie Regional Council staff worked hard to get the grounds back into tip-top shape. Repair work included lifting the catering pavilion and constructing a new toilet block.
The event also qualified for extra assistance under the State Government’s “Events Flood Assistance Program” to help ensure it went ahead.
