Marrar recently ran their annual Marrar CASE IH JBS Campdraft on a brand new improved arena surface and viewing area which was supported by a grant from the Stronger Communities Fund.

The events kicked off at daylight on Friday with the excitement of 900 first round runs to push through.

First up was the Marrar Sales and Service Maiden A, Leisa Sturt and Larry taking out first place closely followed by Dean Hann second, Nick Solway third, Noel Cheney fourth then Scott Bandy and Scott Jones in equal fifth and sixth place. Organisers thanked judge Luke Cheney for overseeing the event.

Next up was the Marrar Sales and Service Maiden B which was taken out by Lincoln Smith and Morses Outburst, second Andrew Cotter, third David Kosa and equal fourth fifth was Luke Cheney and Daren Thomas. Noel Cheney was the judge.

After the maidens, organisers made a start on the Kate Day Memorial Ladies which was sponsored by Coolamon Food Works and Judged by Greg Charleson.

Before running the ladies final under lights organisers held a service to honour Anzacs, which was an incredible sight to see as all the horses lined up in front of the camp.

Earning the spot of first place was Leah Whitehead and Leeoney Jane, second Lucy Neilson, third Clare Hulm and equal fourth-sixth Georgia Bandy, Jess Cormie and Lucy Neilson.

Presentations were held straight after the final with Leah presented with a stunning buckle and woollen rug by Kate’s family.

To end the Friday events, organisers held the Regal Signs Coolamon Open Four Open. Attracting some of the best horses and competitors this event it was a nail bitter right to the very end with Gus Malone and Oakview Isabell taking out the number one spot.

With the rest of the placings coming in hot behind him equal second -third went to Des Castine and James Morse and equal fourth – seventh Scott Bandy and Smart Con, Scott Bandy and Rooster, and Jess Cormie.

The hard-working committee got the Saturday program rolling with the Hendersons Welding and Hydraulics Novice A. First place went to James Morse and Darma Acres of Passion second and Scott Jones third.

Noel Cheney and equal fourth, fifth to Tristan Halden and Matt Sheehy.

Organisers thanked judge Clint Thompson for overseeing this event. They then took a break to groom the surface before jumping into the Elders Peter Cox Memorial which had a stunning buckle up for grabs.

Judge Jamie Edmonds pushed through 120 runs before starting 60 Runs of the Hendersons Welding and Hydraulics Novice B to leave the Elders Peter Cox Memorial Open Final to run under lights.

Lucy Neilson and Peelvale Playing Acres took out first place to secure the beautiful buckle. Second was Scott Jones, third Jeremy Storrier, fourth th Jack Kable and equal fifth-sixth went to Jess Cormie and John Day.

While the adults were competing in the big arena the little competitors were having a ball of fun competing in the mini-Gymkhana. This is an event organisers are very proud to run as there are many junior and juveniles Campdrafters and a huge amount of local kiddies bring out their ponies to claim some fun prizes.

Saturday night saw everyone at the new viewing area enjoying the Ray White Feature cut out with local Tristan Halden taking out a beautiful, engraved Yeti.

Afterwards everyone had some time to relax with Marty’s Wood Fire pizzas, the bar and live music by Mason and the Driftwood.

Sunday morning was the start of another cracking day of drafting with the remainder of the Hendersons Welding and Hydraulics Novice B with first place awarded to Nigel Kable and Senorita, second Alex Croker, equal third-fourth Amelia Edmonds and Lyn Kelly-Hofman and fifth place to Claude Hogg. Massive thanks to the judge Luke Cheney for another great job.

The future of the sport then had a turn in the Big Arena with Greg Charleson judging the D and L McCallum Earthmoving juniors with the local junior committee member Tom Bradshaw and Blush taking home the goods, second Harrison Smith, third Tom Bradshaw, fourth Amy Manwaring and equal fifth – seventh George Day, Beau Oddy, and Harrison Smith.

Next was the big kids with the Riverina Equine Vets Juvenile also judged by Greg Charleson with Larney Malone taking out first place, Gracie Morse second, George Morse third, Brayden Oddy fourth and Harry Hogg fifth.

Last but not least was the Marrar Hotel Encouragement to wrap up a great weekend of drafting at the MCG. First place was Krystal Clancy and Chisums Valdiron, equal second and third place went to two local committeemen Conor Bradley and Dusty Bradshaw and closely behind them in equal fourth to sixth Jill Climpson, Joe Lawrence and Kat O’Brien.

Again, a massive thanks to Greg Charleson for taking time to judge the Marrar Hotel Encouragement.

Cattle donors were thanked for the fantastic cattle over the weekend and the judges for lending their time to oversee events, sponsors for their generous donations and all the helpers for making it a fun filled weekend. Finally the amazing competitors for making their way to Marrar.

Organisers cannot wait to see everyone again at the September Marrar Madness Draft and Extreme Broncs event. 

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 23 May 2024.