CAMPDRAFT:
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It might have taken the best part of 25 years to nail it but finally Michael Wilson has secured his first win at the prestigious Warwick Campdraft.
Riding champion stallion, Soda Justice, the Emerald Hill competitor delivered two near-perfect 90 round scores to shore up victory in the 2014 Frasers Livestock Stallion Campdraft.
Wilson had long known how good Soda Justice could perform.
It was just a matter of luck and drawing the right mob of cattle at the right time.
“He was the most consistent all day,” Wilson said.
“And he had good cattle this year.
“He deserved the turn in luck because he’d be the best I’ve ridden.”
It has been a good few weeks for the local pair which was running off promising form at the Australian Bushman’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) Championships at Geurie earlier this month.
There they placed second in Restricted Open Draft.
Closer to home, the duo won the Maules Creek Open Draft last year, ran second also at the Landmark Stallion Classic in Tamworth and honoured as Australian Super Cowhorse Champion in 2012.
But no matter where they go or which draft they compete at, Wilson adopts the same philosophy.
“I take them all the same,” he said.
“I know how good this horse is, it just depends on the cattle on the day.”
Win or lose in Warwick, which is considered the ultimate in campdrafting circles, Wilson said the event was “great promotion” for the breeding business.
For his efforts in the big money draft at Warwick, Wilson pocketed a handy $4500 in prizemoney, plus a saddle.
Next up on their competition schedule is the Landmark Classic Campdraft and Sale in Tamworth in early February.