Kerry Turner and Hingis.
© Carney Turner / Southern Belle Photography
By Equestrian Life
For 68 years, the late Gertie Brook remained the only woman in history to win campdrafting’s highly coveted and prestigious Warwick Gold Cup. Yet in 2019, Ariat Pro Team rider Kerry Turner wrote her name in the history book alongside Gertie’s; taking out the top spot in this year’s Cup aboard Hingis from a field of over 830 competitors.
For Kerry, this was a momentous win, inspired in part by the story of Gertie Brook and her 1951 Warwick Gold Cup victory. After reading about Gertie’s win in a magazine, Kerry kept a photo of Gertie and her horse Popeye in her mobile phone case, ensuring she was regularly reminded of the inspiring story, and helping her to stay focused on her goal of winning the 2019 Warwick Gold Cup.
“Whether I’d had the photo there or not, I would have still stayed focused on the goal, but it definitely helped me in moments when I did have a bit of doubt, it kept me going” Kerry explains.
An extremely successful all round horsewoman, Kerry is no stranger to success at the top level. Prior to turning her primary focus to campdrafting around 5 years ago, Kerry dominated on the rodeo circuit in the sports of breakaway roping, steer undecorating and barrel racing. Winning numerous Australian and Pro Tour titles, Kerry started to feel that she had achieved everything she wanted to in the rodeo world and it was time for a new challenge – one she could enjoy with her family.
Kerry Turner and Hingis at the Warwick Gold Cup, proudly supported by Ariat Australia.
“My daughter RyLee is a very keen campdrafter and so is my partner Rohan” Kerry explains. “Campdrafting’s a great family sport, my son Kash enjoys it too although he’s into rodeo as well. There are still some roping events I would like to compete in, but campdrafting’s the main focus now; it’s a sport that the four of us can enjoy together, it’s really social, and we all have fun.”
There’s no doubt that for Kerry, having her partner Rohan Marks and children RyLee and Kash at Warwick to help celebrate the biggest win in her campdrafting career made victory even sweeter. To further cap it off, Kerry was also able to share the moment with her long term supporters Ariat, who sponsored and attended this year’s event. “Along with Shane Kenny, I was one of the first two in the Ariat Pro Team around 20 years ago and they have supported me through everything. I love all the Ariat products, whether in the arena competing or working at home, or even out and about in town, they suit my lifestyle!”
Kerry’s Warwick Gold Cup victory was the jewel in the crown of a highly successful 2019 season; she also won the Dolly Everett Ladies Series held across Condamine, Chinchilla and Warwick drafts, awarded in memory of Dolly Everett. “It’s a fantastic series and I hope it keeps on going. It was so special to win, I knew Dolly from back when she was a little kid and as I have kids of my own, it’s a cause I really care about. We have to talk to kids and focus on stopping bullying – that’s what Dolly’s Dream is all about.”
Kerry Turner and Peter Comiskey at Warwick, both Ariat Pro Team riders, photo by Ariat Australia.
Hingis, the 13 year old mare with which Kerry has enjoyed so much success this year, is now enjoying a well earned break however 2020 promises to be an eventful year for the pair. Kerry is in the running for some Australian Campdrafting Association (ACA) national titles, and she’s likely to attend over 20 campdrafts with her team of horses; Paradise Lagoons, Willinga Park and of course the 2020 Warwick Gold Cup are marked as key events on the calendar. As for whether a back to back win in the Warwick Gold Cup is on the list of goals, Kerry laughs: “Once you’ve won one you always want to win another, you have to keep trying!”
In addition to her achievements as a campdrafter, Hingis is proving to be a successful broodmare with 9 embryo transfer foals born to date. Like their dam, who is named after Martina Hingis, their names follow a tennis theme! The eldest, Sharapova, competed in the campdrafting Futurity events this year, while Navratilova will make her competition debut in 2020. Hingis is herself out of a mare who has produced two Warwick Gold Cup winners including Hingis, and by prolific sire of campdrafting champions Hazelwood Conman – the future looks bright for Kerry and Rohan’s breeding program!
Reflecting on the results she’s achieved this year, Kerry has the following advice for those who are inspired by her success: “Believe in yourself, set goals, stay focused, and don’t let yourself down by doubting yourself. Where there’s a will there’s a way!” Kerry also encourages people, including herself, to study good competitors and really watch what they are doing – as she says, “they’re winning for a reason!”
This article was written in conjunction with Ariat.
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