Adam Wallen, Doongara Stock Horse Stud, Lockyer Waters,
competes at the Ekka campdrafting on Doongara Gailforce

AT just 15 years of age, Adam Wallen, Doongara Stock Horse Stud, Lockyer Waters, showed the Brisbane Exhibition just how campdrafting is done. Adam and 11 others competed over the Ekka to demonstrate campdrafting and when all the day's competitions were added up, the youngster was on top. That came as no surprise, as Adam has been campdrafting for 10 years now and had a swag of achievements under his belt. He said he loved the sport of campdrafting, and it was a sport in which your luck could always change. "Campdrafting is always different – there is always plenty of variety, and the cattle run differently each time," he said. "Every run is different, and you need to know your cattle. It's a sport in which even the best can come unstuck" Adam competes on his family's horses and has been riding unaided since he was two years old. Some of his highlights include winning the junior campdraft at the National finals at Narrabri and just this year taking home a saddle after winning the high point youth award at the Australian Stock Horse National Finals in Warwick. His name is also well known in the pony club circles, taking out four State sporting titles. But Adam can't put all the success down to himself - he also shares the drafting achievements with his horse Doongara Gailforce. Adam and his father Geoff broke the gelding in, and Adam's dreams are becoming closer each day – to win the Warwick Gold Cup on a horse which the family has bred. "It's every campdrafter's dream to win at Warwick, but it would make it more special if it was on a horse the family bred and trained." Adam said. "I might be a long way off, but you always need something to aim for, and it's the best of the best in Campdrafting".