Coonamble's annual June long weekend combined campdraft and rodeo was as big as ever with the drafting commencing under beautiful sunny skies for the whole three days. The move to the Northern end of the arena was welcomed by competitors and their families, allowing greater capacity for both horses and trucks alike. With ongoing improvements at the forefront of the committee's mind, any concerns will be worked on to improve the event from its first year of relocation.

The Campbelltown City Council Maiden campdraft was the first event on Saturday morning with the Council generously sponsoring a saddle made by local saddler Kevin Rogan.  The delighted winner was Darren Guy riding Three Oaks (Gunnedah) from Kenric Cross riding, Romeabout (Trangie). The cutout winner was Ray Hawke on Destiny.

The Juniors was next with the winner, Grace Hadley riding Jane, receiving a lovely bridle from Lucy and Charlie Burns Saddlery. Warwick Southern had his eye in, putting two around the course to claim second and third places riding Reason and Leyton.

Former Coonamble boy, John Cookson, had the run of the weekend scoring a 91 on Fever, to win the Jim Fisher Memorial Juvenile draft and another lovely bridle sponsored by the Fisher family. Ben Rasmussen on Danny with an 89 was second.

The Ralph Bellamy Memorial Open campdraft was won by Lachie Maxwell on Spook from John Hardie, Katnook and Troy Palmer, Robbie. Lachie received a John Lordan bridle with Geoff Freeman making a bit especially for the event, as well as a generous prize from Mrs Sue Bellamy. A service fee to Knights Top That was also on offer donated by the Hiscock/Hillier families. John Hardie and Lethal Spinister claimed the cutout prize.

Sunday's programme started with the Barb Burtenshaw-Cookson Memorial/Soda Justice Novice Draft, 280 horses contested this event with the winner decided after a run-off between Cody Law riding Amy and Maryellen Boyd on Maybeline. Cody Law received some great trophies from members of the Burtenshaw family in loving memory of a beautiful lady, Barb Burtenshaw-Cookson who was a great supporter of her family in the campdraft and rodeo arenas and a fine campdrafter herself.   A service fee to Soda Justice kindly donated by Michael and Jan Wilson was also won by Cody. The cutout winner was Ray Hawke on Tex.

The Kate King Memorial Ladies draft was won by a very excited Robyn Hardie on Vallejo from Sarah Cookson on Topic and Fiona Jamieson riding Lareena.  John King was present to award Robyn her prizes. The cutout winner was Kirsty Coombe, Charlie.

The 25th running of the  Stumpy Timmins Memorial Open campdraft was a highlight of Monday's program with another member of the Cookson family, Peter Cookson riding Meridian first from Nigel Kable on Ivory and John Duggan on Just Al.

A gracious Peter received his prizes from "Stumpy's" wife, with three generations of Stumpy's family present for the awards.  A service fee to Binnia Impresive Destiny was also donated to the winner, thanks to Troy Palmer for his generous sponsorship. Ivory, ridden by Nigel Kable, won the cutout.

Last event for the weekend was the Encouragement campdraft, with a final in this event, consistency was going to be the key for a successful outcome. The major prize was a $2000 voucher towards the purchase of a saddle from Hawkesbury River Saddlery. Keen Gulargambone campdrafter, Steven Colwell, riding Jet was the winner from Molly LeBrocq on O'Flaherty and Meg Robinson on Nita.

The committee would like to thank their valued cattle donors and Louise Estens for donating a  rug to every campdraft event winner. There were many volunteers and competitors who helped tirelessly throughout the three days, their contribution to the successful staging of the campdraft is sincerely appreciated along with the fantastic job done by John Jackson and Sons, who transported all the campdraft cattle.   The Coonamble Golf Ladies did a great job catering for the evening meals with the Pony Club keeping all and sundry fed and watered during the day. With Malcom Brown, Sam Johnstone, Hamish Hosegood and guest Chris Cormie announcing we hardly had time to draw breath between events as they kept the competitors rolling through the side gate. Thanks to our judges for the weekend, Adam Boyd, Codie Law, Andrew Lockyer, Fred Paterson, John Rogan and Matt Weber.