All posts,  Weather

Drafted and dusted…

Despite the extreme dry weather that this part of the world is experiencing at the moment – with our shire now part of the 80% of Queensland that is officially drought declared – one of our teeny local towns managed to host a campdraft this weekend.

What an amazing effort – rewarded by a veritible stampede of campdrafters from all over descending on the sportsground for two days.

muldraft_0868 EThere  was barely room for spectators’ cars on the crispy dry surrounds of the arena!muldraft_0879 ESo many drafts have been called off due to farmers being unable to provide strong stock for the events.  This draft was lucky to have donors step up and offer some great cattle.

muldraft_0880 ESmall patches had been watered to add the illusion of some healthy grass, and try to settle a little of the dust…

muldraft_0864 EAnd hardy volunteers manned the gates on the campdraft yards, the microphones, the canteen and the secretary’s office…

muldraft_0865It was incredibly hot in the sun, but detirmined onlookers braved the sun to see the action…

muldraft_0904 E

 

And despite swallowing a significant amount of dust, hundreds of competitors enthusiastically took part on lots of glorious horses.

muldraft_0892 EThis young man (whose name currently eludes me) had a cracker weekend, placed in the Juvenile and took out the Open Draft.

muldraft_0962 eThis is my young friend Breanna (last featured here) who got her first full course in the Juvenile and was delighted with her horse’s effort.

muldraft_0926 eMr Incredible competed, but I managed to miss all his runs.  I have a thing where I think I jinx him with my camera – he got an 86 after I left yesterday, then no score when I wasn‘t there in today’s final.  Superstition busted. Never mind.

Violet and Dash both rode in the Junior Draft and (as usual) I took very few pics of them – I was too busy being a nervous Mum on the sidelines. Both did well, although out of a place.muldraft_0980 eViolet was as detirmined as ever…

muldraft_0982 e…and Dash had a wonderful cut-out.

muldraft_0989This is seriously the ONLY photo I took of his round. Hopeless.

It’s back to working on our drought management efforts tomorrow – but it sure was nice to catch up with friends and watch some great riding with our family.

muldraft_0918 e

Eating the dust was definitely worth it!

🙂

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