On her 16th attempt Central Queensland campdraft competitor Louise Comiskey claimed victory in the esteemed Condamine Bell.
Riding her 12-year-old mare Zaharah, Mrs Comiskey of Capella won the Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies’ campdraft with 178 points.
Amanda Hollis on Adios Recess was just two points behind.
Mrs Comiskey said she was thrilled to hold the iconic Condamine Bell trophy for the first time.
“I still can’t believe it,” she said.
“Campdrafting is the luck of the draw and I was lucky enough to have a smooth run. It felt really good, with everything just falling into place.
“Zaharah is by Sophisticated Cat and is a beautiful mare. I bought her when she was three and have been her only rider since. She’s pretty special.”
Mrs Comiskey, who lives 85 kilometres north-east of Emerald, said she and husband Steve prepared all year for the Condamine, Chinchilla and Warwick campdrafts.
“We love the competition and the camaraderie,” she said.
“It’s a great time to catch up with everybody and the campdrafting community supports you and celebrates your success.
“It’s so heartfelt and it’s why we love it. It’s like a big family.”
For the second year running, Ben Hall of Muttaburra won the Open campdraft, riding 15-year-old homebred mare Halls Eltorrio.
He scored 266.5 points to just outscore his father Terry Hall on Hazelwood Composer, who shared second place with Condamine debutante Lachlan Thomson riding Hoody.
Ben Hall has now won eight Condamine Bells, as well as three Chinchilla Grandfather Clocks and three Warwick Gold Cups.
He now has the chance to chase the $30,000 Triple Crown incentive, which is awarded if the same horse and rider win all featured Open campdrafts at Condamine, Chinchilla and Warwick.
No competitor has ever claimed the trifecta in one year.
Condamine Bell Open:
1. Ben Hall, Halls Eltorrio 266.5
2. Lachlan Thomson, Hoody 266
2. Terry Hall, Hazelwood Composer 266
4. Robert Plant, Condet 265
4. Kerry Turner, Country Life 265
6. Will Durkin, Cantaur Park Guardian 264.5
7. Ken Boulton, Redeem 263.5
7. Will Durkin, Durkins Jewel 263.5
7. Joe Payne, In Style 263.5.
Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies:
1. Louise Comiskey, Zaharah 178
2. Amanda Hollis, Adios Recess 176
3. Rylee Turner, Turners Stud Reward 175
3. Lexi Payne, Kanya Catolena 175
5. Sarah Campbell, Banshee Coneye 173
6. Hayley Condon, Bracelet 172
7. Rachael Plant, Kool Change 171
7. Vicki Hiscock, Bamalam 171.
Condamine Novice:
1. Steve Comiskey, One Knight Stand 269
2. Laura Comiskey, Skater 268
3. Rick Hopkins, Superact Shiraz 262
4. Steven Hart, Yaven Smooth Spin 180
4. JJ Lamb, Inspiration 180
4. Luke Bennett, Little Miss Hoorey 180
4. Jarryd Sutton, Corvette 180
8. Peter Black, Destiny 179
8. James Moorhead, Consequence 179
10. Mark Buttsworth, Metal Alloy 178.
