Branchvale Metal Alloy topped this year's sale at $126,000

© Nutrien Classic / Jo Thieme Photography

Australia’s nine-day premier campdrafting competition and performance horse sale, The Nutrien Classic concluded its 2020 event on Sunday 9 February; and has been declared a huge success.

Held annually at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth NSW, this year’s Classic has generated more than $7.65Million in horse sales.  The 2020 Classic is now recorded as the highest-grossing sale over its 13 year history; and is the fourth year running that the sale has exceeded $7Million.

Koobah Performance Horses was the purchaser of this year’s top seller Branchvale Metal Alloy– a 2 year old stallion by Metallic Cat out of Reys Little Hottie - on account of Emdee Enterprisers, who sold for an incredible $126,000 on day four of the Sale.

Stand out prices from the sale also include Depco Pastoral’s purchase of Wicked Duck on account of ESTL John Brekelmans for $77,500; and Balmoral Downs Stock Horses purchase of Eagle Brave on account of B & E Mooney for $44,000. Metallic Storm on account of Jim & Lynda MacCallum was passed in during the sale at $75,000 but later sold to Metallic Storm Syndicate for $100,000.

Nutrien’s Equine Mark Barton said event organisers are delighted with the overall success of the event.

“The quality of competition, horsemanship, and breeding displayed over the past nine days have been incredible to see. There’s no doubt; our industry has experienced several challenges this year – from floods in Northern QLD to crippling drought and the recent bushfires – the odds have been against us. But the results generated during the event are a testament to the positivity and dedication of our competitors, buyers, vendors and spectators who have worked tirelessly to prepare for The Classic,” he said.  

The sale wasn’t the only side of the event that shone brightly, with riders traveling from all over the country to participate in the highly regarded campdraft competition. The Classic saw a total of 1,166 nominations and 398 individuals take to the arena to battle it out for a share in over $270,000 worth of prizes across 11 different event categories.

A crowd gathers to watch the campdraft at this year's Nutrien Classic

© Nutrien Classic / Jo Thieme Photography

Interpath were delighted to be involved in the event as one of the major sponsors. “We congratulate all horses and riders that competed, and are thrilled to have worked with a number of you in keeping your horses sound”, Interpath’s Rebecca Lubeek said. “It was also great to see some of our ambassadors, such as Rob Leach, Hugh Miles, Todd Graham, Amelia Servin and Belinda Staib present quality horses in the sale, we’re proud to be part of your journey”.

Ben Seidel from Warwick, QLD won the 4 Cyte Masters Campdraft riding Glendeen Shick

© Nutrien Classic / Jo Thieme Photography

The winners in each category for the campdraft competition were as follows:  

·         Troy Palmer from Coolah, NSW won the Martins Stock Haulage Open Campdraft, riding Hells A Comin, Owned by Terry Snow.

·         Beau Beutel from Kalbar, QLD won the Charlie Maher Young Guns Campdraft riding Reys Ya Garter, Owned by Corey & Trudy Holden

Zane Haberman from Springsure, QLD won the AELEC Bar Gelding Dash for Cash riding Hang Time, Owned by J & S Maguire

Joshua Smith from Gracemere, QLD won the Prydes EasiFeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge, Riding GI M Hard, Owned by David & Kaelene Smith

Bonnie Hiscock from Maffra, VIC won the Jimmy Matthews Memorial Ladies Dash for Cash riding Bamalam Owned by Bonnie Hiscock

Ben Seidel from Warwick, QLD won the 4 Cyte Masters Campdraft riding Glendeen Shick, Owned by Ben Seidel

Jason Lindley from Gracemere, QLD won The Nutrien Classic Campdraft riding PV Grasshopper, Owned by Tory Acton

·         John Lee from Manilla, NSW won The Dalgety Stallion Shootout riding Jats Bar Adios Acres, Owned by Jats Bar Stock Horses

Joshua Smith from Gracemere, QLD won the Prydes EasiFeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge, Riding GI M Hard

© Nutrien Classic / Jo Thieme Photography

The Classic Ladies Foundation, a group of women from all over Australia who are associated with the campdrafting and performance horse industry, again rallied together at The Classic to raise funds and awareness for their annual charity of choice.  This year, The Classic Ladies Foundation was supporting Rural Aid and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, two issues that have deeply affected their community. Across the nine days, The Foundation sold more than 800 custom caps, ran several raffles, held a luncheon and received the funds from one of the water buffalo sold during the Sale, which has generated more than $65,000. Since establishing five years ago, The Classic Ladies Foundation has donated all proceeds from their fundraising efforts directly to the charities they support.  

Bonnie Hiscock from Maffra, VIC won the Jimmy Matthews Memorial Ladies Dash for Cash riding Bamalam

© Nutrien Classic / Jo Thieme Photography

The Nutrien Equine team extended their gratitude to all of those who helped to make the event possible. “The Classic is a great event and an annual highlight for many that would not be made possible without all those who lend a helping hand,” said Nutrien’s Mark Barton.  “We cannot express our thanks enough to the team at AELEC, our sponsors and supporters, the competitors and vendors, the spectators and our wider Nutrien team who all play a huge part in making The Classic an annual highlight.

“We also extend our thanks to Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, whose $5,000 contribution to The Classic has assisted in the transportation costs for the water buffalo we purchased from The Northern Territory, as a way to counteract the impact the drought was having on sourcing livestock for the event. 

“We are excited to see what the rest of 2020 has in store for the Australian Performance Horse industry and campdrafting sector – an industry that we love and are proud to contribute to. 

 “See you at The Classic, 2021!” concluded Mark.

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