NSW may not have been able to claim this year’s rugby league state of origin trophy but the team from south of the border won campdrafting’s version of the concept at the annual Paradise Lagoons event.
Armidale’s Jock Weston captained the NSW team and was the last rider to compete.
His score of 1291.5 secured the victory.
Jock’s father John Weston said a full house witnessed the Blues earn the win this year.
"There was lot of excitement and they managed to get there,” he said.
They had a pretty hot team, Queensland and they just couldn't handle the cattle or didn't handle them quite so well and NSW came out on top.
- John Weston
"It was a real thrill. It is probably most watched event of the carnival.
"People love it.
"It is a pretty good concept.
"They had a pretty hot team, Queensland and they just couldn't handle the cattle or didn't handle them quite so well and NSW came out on top.
"Everyone was glad to NSW win, apart from Queenslanders.”
The Paradise Lagoons competition is conducted over four days with competitors travelling from all over the country to take part and is the biggest event on the campdrafting calendar.
The event is normally held in July but wet weather saw it postponed until August.
"This year most of the NSW fellows were from the northern area because they postponed the draft because of heavy rain in July,” Weston said.
"A lot of people couldn't adjust their arrangements to go because of winter.
"They just couldn't have got the trucks in up there.
The sport has grown immensely over the last few years with people of all ages taking part.
Weston said the inclusive environment has helped boost campdrafting’s popularity.
"They all get on very well, the whole campdrafting fraternity,” Weston said.
"They all enjoy it and go as hard as they can to get a win.
"It is a very family oriented sport. You can go to a campdraft and let your kids wander around and you don't see them all day.
"They never come to any harm.
"If you like horses and watching cattle work and follow it, it is very absorbing.”
He said the sport has become so popular, organisers have begun to restrict competition entries.
"I daresay it is not getting any smaller, they are having to restrict entries everywhere.
"A soon as they announce a draft is on and the entries open, they have to close them.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
