TENS of thousands of competitors and spectators are expected to pour through the gates of the Warwick Showgrounds on October 19-25.
Visitors from Queensland and inter-state plan their annual holiday around the Warwick Rodeo and Campdraft to catch up with friends and soak in the incredible atmosphere the campdraft and bull riding action provides.
One of the main attractions of the week is the Warwick Gold Cup campdraft.
Last year over 800 horses and riders gathered to compete for a chance to take home the trophy which is considered by many to be the Melbourne Cup of campdrafting.
Winning the event is a dream of every campdrafter with $22,000 in prize money in addition to the Gold Cup and a trophy saddle presented to the victor; and a total $92,550 in prize money and trophies up for grabs.
Pryde’s Easifeed will be the new Gold Cup sponsor this year, and Pryde’s North Qld and Northern Territory regional sales manager Rod Kidner said it’s a great honour for the prestigious competition.
“The event is steeped in history. If there was an Australian campdrafting hall of fame winning the cup would get you in there,” Mr Kidner said.
Well-known Nebo-based rider Peter Comiskey said winning the Gold Cup in 2006 is at the top of his list of accomplishments over his storied campdrafting career.
“I was a proud moment; it’s a very tightly contested event with so many skilled riders competing from allover Australia,” Mr Comiskey said.
“Me and my younger brother Steve can claim that we are the only siblings to win the Gold Cup (Steve won in 2009),” he said.
The jam-packed schedule of events also includes the Black Toyota Canning Downs campdraft; Australian Stockmans Saddlery and Vanderfield Hino Ladies Silver Cup campdraft; Frasers Livestock Transport Stallion campdraft and the Maydan Feedlot Champion of Champions Campdraft.
The National Champion Rider of Australia Challenge is another big drawcard during the week with the winning rider claiming the title of National Campdraft Champion currently held by Warwick Lawrence.
Also during the week the nation’s top bull riders and the best broncs and bucking bulls will gather for the famous Warwick Rodeo.
The very first official Warwick Rodeo was held in 1906 and Warwick became the home of the regular Australian Championships from around 1928. In 1931, the open campdrafting competition became the Warwick Gold Cup.
