Manilla Bushmen’s Carnival up and running after three year break

.Story and photos supplied by Barbara Lee

Following postponement due to rain earlier in the month, the Manilla Bushmen’s Carnival held a successful one day campdraft on their grounds last Saturday 26^th March.  With approximately 400 runs for the day the large number of cattle were supplied by local graziers. First draft of the day was the Hart Rural Agencies and M & M Stock yards sponsored draft for Maiden horses with cattle generously loaned by Bruce and Joanne Russell. Winner was Gunnedah stockman Adam Pollock riding the super talented mare, Unleash Hell. Winner of the Maiden Cut out rug donated by Pete and Janelle Redgrove was Barraba’s Will Robinson.

The Friesian Cattle supplied for the Junior and Juvenile drafts, by Richard and Emma Coombs were much admired for their quite temperament and many scores were put together by the younger riders. The junior draft sponsored by Ben Tapp and Kylie Barnett was won by Emily Croft riding Maverick and the Juvenile Draft sponsored by Al and Kate Sullivan was won by Jack Nairne riding Reflector.

Both Tom and Emma Armitage and Lindsey and Jan Knight supplied amagnificentline of black heifers for the Eykamp kikuyu seeds Open campdraft and competition was close going into the final.  Local rider Al Sullivan stole the show with his bay mare Miss Ducolena with a total score of 177 points. A service fee to the Attunga based stallion, Hazelwood Congressman valued at $1650 and donated by Rob and Lee Leach was the major prize for the winner of the Open with a rug donated by Eykamp Kikuyu Seeds. The Cut out winner Todd Hammond riding Delrio Destinyalso received a rug donated by JND Ventures of Manilla

Even though the heavens threaten to open all day the few small showers did not deter the riders and the canteen was kept busy feeding the hungry spectators and riders.  The committee is truly grateful for the drivers of the trucks, especially Alex Laurie, who kept the cattle coming and going from the grounds. Mal and Mel Carter who donated the hay for the cattle.  The volunteers who worked all day to keep the cattle flowing from the back yards, the judges who wield the whips, the ladies in the canteen and office and the competitors who participated in our first campdraft for over three years.  The committee is looking to upgrade many of the facilities over the coming months to ensure safety standards are maintained and working bees will be held throughout the winter in preparation for a two day campdraft in spring.

Winners and place getters were

Eykamp Kikuyu Sees Open Campdraft

 1^st Al Sullivan   Miss Ducolena

2^nd John Lee    – Jats Bar Adios Acres

=3/4^th    Al Sullivan – Cactus    Angus Capel     – Bailey’s Spice

5^th    Trevor Thurgood   Double Deflect

Top cut out   Todd Hammond – Del Rio’s Destiny

Hart Rural Agencies / M & M Stockyards MaidenCampdraft t

1^st Adam Pollock   Unleash  Hell

2^ndNicholas  FaintMega Duck

3^rd  Stacey Smith   –  Twiggy

4^th Cassie Fordham  –Ima Smart Cat

5^thJoelene Faint – Miss Pig

Top Cut out William Robinson

Junior  Draft sponsored by Ben Tapp and Kylie Barnett

1^st Emily Croft –  Maveric

= 2^nd/3^rd   Ruby Turnbull  –Chelsea  , Blake Thompson  – Lotus

4^th  ChelsieStorch  – Buck

=5^th  Lillian Meredith  – Riverglen,   Trinity McKenna Faint – Toby

JuvenilleDraft  sponsored by Al and Kate Sullivan

1^st  Jack Nairne –  Reflector

2^nd  HamishDunbierGolden Voltage

3^rd Tess Ford  –Royal

4^th Dallas Kelly – O’Flartity

= 5^th  DustyHagon – Mains Lauchlan  , Bridie May –  Delight