The event was held at the Livestock and Events Centre at Tamworth on January 28 and 29 over three rounds. Soon to be 13-year-old Brooke and 16-year old Aaron both qualified for nationals, ranking in the top 25 in the county. At the end of November in the 2011 point standings, Brooke qualified second in the junior section under 13s, with Aaron qualifying seventh in the junior (13 and under 17-year-old) section.

In round one of nationals, luck went Aaron’s way with him notching second place and four points in his section.

It was Brooke’s turn in round two, earning first place and five points in juniors. In round three, Aaron picked up another second place, holding onto his ranking of number seven in the country.

With three outstanding cut out scores of 23, 22 and 22, Brooke took out first prize for the highest aggregate cut out score over three rounds in the junior competition, holding onto her second place rank. She received runner-up Junior Rider of the Year 2011, an excellent achievement for the young year seven student from Killawarra.

The two Wingham High School students first started riding at the age of three and attended pony club before honing in on camp drafting. Camp drafting is a family passion with their parents also competitive riders.

Both young camp drafters rode the family’s Australian Stock Horse stallion, Brown Vintage at the event.

Neither were fazed riding in the national completion seeing it as just another day. They both were very pleased with their results.

They have travelled as far as Dorrigo, Ebor, Dungowan, Walcha and Nowendoc to compete in camp drafting competitions and enjoy catching up with their friends long the way.

The two ride practically every day and love everything about the camp drafting lifestyle, especially competing at local events like the Wingham Camp draft.