Nutrien Classic a success

Australia’s premier campdraft competition and performance horse sale, the Nutrien Classic has wrapped up for 2023, with sales results exceeding the event’s 16-year history.

This year’s 10-day event concluded in early February at the completion of the four-day horse sale, that followed on from the campdraft competition finals.

With sales still under negotiation, the 2023 Nutrien Classic has generated more than $17.09 million from 583 sale horses, surpassing last year’s gross of $17.05 million.

The average sales price was $32,680.69 exceeding last year’s average by over $5500.

This year also saw a clearance rate of 89.86 per cent.

“This year we saw some top-quality horses and bloodlines going under the hammer, and the results speak for themselves,” said Nutrien Equine’s Mark Barton.

“When the event was established in 2008, it was designed to showcase the performance horse industry and provide a platform for quality performance horse sales.

“It is exciting to see how far the event has come, the professionalism and level of competition and the quality of horses up for sale is an outstanding achievement.

“The Nutrien Classic continues to go from strength to strength and this year was no different.”

Topping this year’s sale was the purchase of Lot 73, Ducktacular for $400,000 on account of K & M Vivers. Other notable sales include the $325,000 purchase of Lighthouse Station’s Peppyphlaire by Koobah Performance Horses; Tuff Syndicate’s purchase of Brother Tuff Wood on account of PA & KL Poole for $300,000; and Lot 607 Kiss My Grass on account of Bunyarra Park, who was sold for $225,000 to Strategies 4S-Equine.

Complementing the sale was the outstanding horsemanship and quality breeding on display during the campdrafting competition.

Many riders competed for a share in $420,000 worth of prizes, and the winners were:

• 2023 Nutrien Equine Classic Campdraft Final winner: Robert Leach from Attunga, on Peelvale Truce, owned by Lowly Pastoral, 267 points.

• Prydes EasiFeed Australian Performance Horse Challenge winner: Mark Buttsworth from Kingaroy, on Branchvale Metal Alloy, owned by Rodger Grant of Koobah Performance Horses, 350 points.

• 2023 Martins Stock Haulage Open Campdraft winner: Will Durkin from Charters Towers, on Durkins Jewel, owned by Robert Durkin, 271 points.

• 2023 Dalgety Stallion Shootout Overall winner: Troy Clarke, from Narrabri, riding Eagle Hustler, 221 points.

• 2023 Charlie Maher Memorial Young Guns Campdraft Final winner: James Moorhead from Ben Lomond, on Style N Blues, owned by EM & TL Moorhead, 181 points.

• AELEC Bar Gelding Dash for Cash: Jason Comiskey from Alpha, on Metallic Dash, 171 points (63 points ahead of the second placegetter).

• 2023 Jimmy Matthews Memorial Ladies Campdraft winner Jess Hoffmann from Charters Towers, on Amrosi, 90 points.

The Classic Ladies Foundation went above and beyond previous fundraising efforts, raising more than $100,000.

The funds were generated through the sale of the iconic Ladies Foundation caps, the Classic luncheon, a charity auction, the Nathan Wilson Classic clinic, and the monster raffle.

The group of women behind the Classic Ladies Foundation are located across Australia and come together for the event to give back to charities that advocate for causes impacting their community.

Carolyn McNabb of the Classic Ladies Foundation said they were incredibly grateful for the donations received for the Classic auction and monster raffle.

“Each year, the money the Foundation raises is donated to a worthwhile cause, and this year, the Pancare Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service will be the worthy recipients,” she said.

To top off the record-breaking event, the 2023 Nutrien Classic Store Cattle Sale was a great success. Held at the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange, the Nutrien Livestock team yarded 3305 head.

The sale grossed approximately $5.2million, with the top-priced cow and calf unit fetching 783 c/kg.

Nutrien selling agent and auctioneer Tim Hollis said each year, the store sale is well supported by vendors and buyers and this year was no exception.

“The recent rainfall instilled confidence in the market, and this was reflected in the results,” he said.

“Top prices varied from $2190/head for steers and $3050 for Pregnancy-Tested-In-Calf cows.

“This event would not be possible without the ongoing support from so many people, organisations and sponsors.

“To all who attended; competitors, vendors, buyers or spectators, thank you for supporting our event and we hope to see you all back in Tamworth for 2024.”