For Australia Day we caught up with one of Wingham’s past Australia Day awards recipients, Andrew Waters.
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WC: Andrew you were a recipient of the Sports Award at the 1994 Wingham Australia Day celebrations. Can you explain what you received the award for?
I had won the Pony Club Zone 9 Campdrafting title and then went on to win both NSW and Queensland Campdafting titles as well as being the ABCRA Runner-Up Associate Rider all in the same year.
I continued to compete locally and travelled away for events.
I had ridden from a very young age and had been competitive on the show circuit as well as campdrafting.
WC: Are you still involved in the sport?
No as campdrafting is Australia's own sport but I have ridden in cutting horse competitions in the US.
WC: We understand you are now living in the US, can you tell us a little about where you are living and what that is like for you…
I moved to the US in 1999. I live on a ranch called Bob Moore Farms, in Norman Oklahoma. Right now it is winter and is very cold. We had ice storms last week which saw the airport and schools closed. Summer is very hot with high humidity.
Oklahoma City is a university city and a lot of the country’s young athletes attend school here, it is also home to country music singers Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Bob Shelton who all live within 30 miles from here.
I lived in Texas for quite a while training cutting horses and I have seen a lot of the USA through my work and showing horses.
WC: What do you do for a living?
I am Stallion Manager and Manager of Sale Preparation at Bob Moore Farms. Yearlings are sold annually and later in the year brood mares with foals at foot.
Bob Moore Farms has been a leader in the breeding of running quarter horses over the last 50 years and I have been lucky to manage at least 10 of the leading sires in the industry. Four stallions presently stand at the farm.
I was training cutting horses for 13 years but due to a horse accident, I had to look at a change of career.
WC: Are you married?
No, I am not married.
WC: What do you miss most about life in the Manning Valley?
I miss family and old friends.
The Manning Valley will always be home!
Andrew is the son of Barbara Waters, president of the Manning Valley Historical Society.
Barbara is the Master of Ceremonies at the 2017 Wingham Australia Day awards tomorrow in Central Park and is also a past recipient of an award.
