ILLABO turned on splendid weather for competitors at the 15th annual campdraft competition last weekend.
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The 749 entries generated two full days of competition, with judges and competitors finally walking off the showground at 6.10pm on Sunday.
Riders came from across the southern campdraft association which stretches from Gunning in the north, south to Malvern in Victoria and out west to Ivanhoe.
Campdraft involves a horse-rider combination selecting one beast from a group of 10 cattle and taking them around a track in a figure eight.
Once a competitor passes through the entry gate they have just 40 seconds to complete their task.
Illabo Campdraft Club spokesperson Debbie Dodwell said some sensational riding skills were on show.
"There were some top riders there, our judge came from Narrabri to judge most of our program," she said.
Dodwell said Victoria's Matthew Holtz claimed two maiden victories, while Bethungra's Andrew Sheridan won the novice division.
More than 1300 cattle were provided for the campdraft.
"Saturday's cattle were a little quieter and the competition was tough, but the experienced riders can handle it," Dodwell said.
She said the key to a successful run was teamwork, with the rider and horse working in tandem.
Dodwell explained some horses had competed for four years before their maiden win while others might be nine or 10 years old before competing in the open division.
Winners of the open division were Wendy Atkinson from Oxley in Victoria and Ian Laurie from Braidwood.
Wagga's Sue Willis claimed the ladies division, Cooma's Ella Brabin won the juniors while Wagga's Brody Hopkins was the winner of the juvenile competition.
The Illabo event is just the second campdraft event in a season which will run until May next year.