GALLERY: Campdrafting all in the family

WHILE most mothers took Sunday as an opportunity to have a sleep in and breakfast in bed, Amanda Day was up at the crack of dawn working horses and organising her children in time for the Stanthorpe campdraft.

For the past six years the Day family - small crop growers from Nundubbermere - have spent Mother's Day either campdrafting or at a gymkhana.

And although Amanda can only describe their family life as "busy", having grown up on the back of a horse at her family's property at Barraba outside of Tamworth, she said she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Mother's Day has been pretty hectic but it's been lovely," she said.

"The kids gave me a few bits and pieces made at school plus this new cap and a bracelet."

Six-year-old Brooke however had lost her present to Mum in among the clutter of the gooseneck - no word yet as to the whereabouts.

Amber, Chloe, Ellie, Hollie, and Chelsea Thomas from Tenterfield with grandmas Dorothy Thomas and Beth Grace from the NSW north coast at the Stanthorpe campdraft at the weekend. Photo Emma Boughen / The Bush Telegraph Emma Boughen

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Amanda and Greg got into campdrafting about five years ago, following a six-year break from horse sports all together.

"Pre-children we did a lot of rodeos but, around the time the kids came along, the horse flu broke out and we took some time off," Amanda said.

"But eventually we started helping out to organise the campdraft and thought, why not give it a go?"

Greg said their weekends spent at horse events, though "full-on", was still time spent together as a family.

"We're not sick of it yet, it's a family sport that we can all do together," he said.

"If the weather is good that is."

Greg and Amanda's eldest two girls Louise, 11, and Bridget, 9, also competed in the novice rounds at the weekend.

"I enjoy watching the kids ride just as much as being out there myself," Amanda said.

"You get a real kick out of watching them do well."

And even though the girls have been doing it for a number of years now, Greg said he can't help but get worried about them when they ride into camp.

Elena Brosnan from Killarney riding Wendy at the Stanthorpe campdraft at the weekend. Photo Emma Boughen / The Bush Telegraph Emma Boughen

With almost 400 competitors over two days, Stanthorpe Campdraft organisers say the weekend was "excellent".

Great cattle, food, weather, sponsors - it really did all come together, according to sub-committee secretary Paula Boatfield.

"We wanted a campdraft that would cater for everyone from the juniors, to the youth to adults and experienced riders, everyone can have a go," she said.

"This event is important in that our campdraft showcases the wide range of facilities we have at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds."

Results

George and Fuhrmann Teams Challenge Draft

16 horses

1st Tenterfield Team (Peter Petty, Damien Bulmer, Liz Thomas, Bob Jurd) with a combined score of 189

2nd Warwick Team (Ben Cory, Terry Dwan, Geoff Grant, Dot Jephcott) with a combined score of 142