Spurs were digging and reins were tightened at the Nebo Bushman Carnival (NBC) as competitors buckled down for the event win.
Spurring frantically, participants rode at the non-profit camp draft at the Nebo Saleyards ring from 29 June to 2 July, to get their share of the various trophies, awards and prizes offered.
A total of nine drafting competitions were shared amongst five age groups of Minis, Juniors, Juveniles, Maidens and Opens, with numerous donations made providing guests and participants with catering from local school families, cattle, prizes, etc.
Opens results
The first contest, the Roy Carmody Memorial Restricted Opens Draft (RCMROD), was off to a galloping start on 29 June with winner Stewart Wallace on Demore Cat receiving the trophy buckle, donated by the Hanrahan family, with 180 points.
Scoring five less than Stewart was camp drafter Wally Rea on Pandora with 175 points, Pete Comiskey on Nashvale Roy Ell Destiny, for third place with 173 points and fifth place on Ervines Just Jim with 162 points.
The most successful competitor award was Steve Comiskey, following his impeccable drafting performances.
The winner of the RCMROD Cut-Out section went to Jason Wanstall on Double Your Money with 24 points.
Knocking out the Mrs Suzie Whitehead Memorial Ladies Draft (MSWML) was winner Vicki Howard on Partygirl with 178 points.
Not far behind was Claudia Spencer on Tuff Lil Spoon in second (173 points) and Luci Cunningham on Imprint in third place (168 points).
The winner for the MSWML Cut-Out was Donna Watts on Lady Can Spin with 23 points.
Jason Wanstall on his horses Eagle and Marshmellow Cat was the winner for both the Sharon Mitchell Memorial Novice Draft A and B with a total of 356 points.
Jason was later presented with The Publicans Cup, Blackburn Trophy, which has existed since the mere opening on NBC.
Louise Comiskey snatched up first place in the Willoughby Livestock Transport Open Draft after her ride on Good Tim Chic got a score of 358 points.
President of NBC David Muir, was awarded the Prydes Easifeed Horseman and Sportsman Perpetual trophy by the Nebo Camp Draft Committee for his hard work ethic and commitment to NBC.
The highest-scoring Maiden drafter in the Opens went to Laura Curren, winning a trophy whip donated by John Salmond.
Maiden results
The Bry McFadzen Memorial Maiden for Maiden draft went to Steven Borg on Polly with 165 points, followed by Cournty Lockhart on Ima Mia Cat with 160 points and Corey Bella on his horse Miss who just scrapped out on second place with 159 points.
Second-time winner Steven Borg cantered his way to victory, winning the Scotty Wilson Equine Services Highest Averaging Maiden Rider.
The Maiden to Maiden memorial Cut-Out section was awarded to Justin Paton on his horse Paton’s McGregor.
Sam Galea and his horse Timmy Tucker took home first place in the Nebo Rural Services Maiden Draft (NRSMD) scoring 172 points.
Jesse Todd on Abby and Warren Watts on Jewels R Heavy both put on a jaw-dropping battle with each other, both scoring 170 points, tying for second and third place.
The Cut-Out winner for the NRSMD was Billy Joe Rea on Harpo with 23 points.
Juvenile results
In the Juvenile section for the Mrs Sybill Highes Memorial, claiming the first place was rider Abby Dingle on Hollycatolena with 87 points.
Tumbling in at second place was Hugh Watts on Back in Black who was two points under, scoring 85, and Callan Winter brushing it close in third place on Connie with 84 points.
Juniors results
The David Michelmore Memorial Lower Junior Draft (DMMLJD) horsemanship trophy buckle went to Keely Searle on Mustang, second place to Andi Clarke riding Astro Boy and a tie for third place with Brooke Harahan on Sweet Little Kitty and Madeline Loader on Georgiana.
The Cut-Out winner for the DMMLJD section went to Madeline Loader riding Georgia.
Winning both the Isaac Regional Council Upper Junior Horsemanship trophy and the Cut Out was Lacey Armitage on Top Gun Sunday with a total of 88 points.
Mini results
The winner of the Mr and Mrs Grahman Stuart Memorial Mini Draft and the Cut-Out was Delta Burrell on her horse Mustang Lanina with 64 points.
Close behind Delta in second place was Romy Low on Lady and Beau Scott on Snowy in third.
