Record entries vie for Gold Cup campdrafting glory

AUSTRALIA'S most prestigious campdrafting competition - the Warwick Gold Cup - has record-breaking entries with four days still to nominate.

Warwick Show and Rodeo Society president Dr John Kiss said campdrafting was the fastest growing competition, next to thoroughbred racing.

"It's a family orientated sport," he said. "The draft entries were flowing in as soon as they opened.

"We knew it was going to be another record-breaking year and everyone in the office is extremely excited."

Dr Kiss said campdrafting was rich with Australian history, deep in the nation's core.

"We are certainly proud to host Australia's most famous rodeo and prestigious campdrafting competition," he said.

"The spectacular is going to be even better this year.

"And of course it's streamed live on the internet for the rest of the world to see."

Dr Kiss said Miss Rodeo Canada would visit and he hoped to continue to bring an international flavour to the event for years to come.

Warwick Show and Rodeo Campdrafting chairman Brian Boyce said despite initial concerns about lack of cattle for drafts, landholders had been supportive.

"We've had a lot of support in regards to getting cattle," he said.

"To be honest things can't really get much bigger than they already are; we've already got a jam-packed seven days.

"It will all start at 6am on the Monday, we'll be running the Champion of Champions on the Monday to Wednesday night time program and we've to get fit around the other rodeo events that are increasingly growing as well."

"It's getting bigger because everyone knows if you win the Warwick Gold Cup you're the best in Australia."

Entries in the rodeo section are also over-flowing with some of the program moving to the Thursday night for the first time in the rodeo's history.

The first official Warwick Rodeo was held in 1906 and Warwick became the home of the regular Australian Championships from around 1928. In 1931, the open campdrafting competition became the Warwick Gold Cup, named because of the presence of the then Governor of Queensland, Sir John Goodwin, who presented the very first Gold Cup to the winner.

Campdraft entries

 Black Toyota Warwick Gold Cup - 820 entries

 Supafloats Canning Downs draft - 810 entries

 Australian Stockmen Saddlery/Vanderfield Hino Ladies Silver Cup - 258

 Frasers Livestock Stallion draft - 108

 Maydan Feedlot Champion of Champions - capped at 50