Willinga at Juandah Plains Campdraft is underway in Queensland. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Inaugural ‘Willinga at Juandah Plains Campdraft’ underway in Queensland
By Roger Fitzhardinge
Juandah Plains in Wandoan, Queensland is one of the properties that Terry and Ginette Snow purchased a few years ago. It is situated 25 kilometres from Wandoan and is 42,000 acres. In the few years the Snows have owned it, they have turned it into a wonderful property that now runs a great herd of Herefords. Their initial improvements were in the interest of improving the soil and pasture, the fencing and yards, and the water infrastructure. They started from the grassroots up, so to speak, and it is certainly showing a few years down the track with the improvement in the health and wellbeing of the Herefords that now graze this outstanding property.
Juandah Plains from the air. Image by Ginette Snow.
Here comes the campdraft
In the past eighteen months Terry and his team have developed Juandah Plains with the intention of hosting campdrafting competitions there, with the facilities similar to Willinga Park at Bawley Point on the south coast of NSW.
Willinga Pastoral Company now runs ten pastoral properties centralised in Queensland’s Western Downs region. Operations began in 2019 with the purchase of Juandah Plains and Glendoan in Wandoan, and grew by eight separate land holdings in 2022. The Willinga aggregation is across the Brigalow belt and includes 147,000 acres with the capacity to carry 15,000 cattle.
With the purchase of this first property came Andrew Turvey, who took on the manager’s role. He had been associated with Willinga through his campdrafting competitions, and placed at the Gold Buckle, and it so it happened that the property he was managing at St George was sold and he was subsequently approached to take on the role as manager of Jurandah Plains. Little did he realise that this role would grow to overseeing the ten properties in the area that were to eventuate! Andrew is a quiet and modest Queenslander with an underlying competitive edge and an uncanny eye for the land, the stock and its progression. Terry and Andrew make a formidable pair and get things done! Of course, they say behind every successful man there is a strong woman and, as is with Ginette to Terry, there is Courtney to Andrew.
Terry Snow and Andrew Turvey… even at the presentation they are at it planning new things! Image by Roger Fitzhadinge.
Moving campdraft cattle. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Juandah Plains shines as the jewel in the Willinga Pastoral crown, central to the grazing portfolio that aggregates all pastoral properties. As with all Terry Snow’s innovative decisions that are always environmentally driven, Juandah Plains commands attention with its innovative off grid energy plant that powers the majority of the buildings. Infrastructure includes a renovated homestead; several new accommodation buildings including staff facilities and a new house; sheds and stables; and a sealed airstrip and hangar. Its resort-style lagoon, that presides over the main homestead, is a brilliant comparison to the harsh and intriguing Queensland country and heat, into which it nestles and gives enormous relief.
The lagoon is designed for swimming. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
The equestrian facilities are, as with all of Terry’s properties, of exceptional design and quality. The 4kms off newly sealed driveway from the main road to the homestead and facility is flanked by over 200 trees (Leopard Tree, libidibia) on both sides. The competitors in their many huge horse trucks say it’s the best piece of road they drove on since Tamworth!
The facilities, infrastructure and landscaping started at the beginning of 2022 and are already well established. It all nestles into the surrounding Brigalow belt demeanour with amazing ease and creates a luxury feel away from the stark lands of this sunburnt country.
Campdraft competitors are keen to use the facility. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Willinga at Juandah Plains Campdraft
The first campdraft competition, ‘Willinga at Juandah Plains Campdraft’, boasts $300,000 in prizemoney. Over 1000 horses were originally entered here over the four days of competition, which runs from the crack of dawn nonstop until dark each day!
Andrew and Courtney have been at the helm of organising this event. Andrew is also competing. Courtney is the bouncing bunny, with unbounding energy and enthusiasm. She does everything from keeping her eye on all things from sponsors, presentations, accommodation, and information, to being the go-to person for all things campdrafting, making sure all the volunteers and staff are fed and watered, and even working behind the bar when all others are worn out, plus all things in between (and managing their two young children). Quite the linchpin of the event and what a fascinating character and life to boot!
The sport is ever growing, and no wonder with facilities, prizemoney, sponsorship and live streaming as is seen here. It’s certainly drawing in the top competitors!
Pete Comiskey and Ervine’s Just Jim. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Pete Comiskey on Ervine’s Just Jim, this year’s Willinga Park Gold Buckle winner, is here, with partner and fellow competitor Bryony Puddicombe and their team of thirteen. Heidi Smith, winner of the Ladies Dash For Cash at this year’s Gold Buckle is also here, as is Mark Buttsworth, an exceptional competition and prolific winner. Other competitors include Hugh Miles, Michael Hiscock, Matt Holtz, Troy Palmer, and Bruce McNaughton – who, in his late 70s, is the oldest competitor here and still giving everyone a good push along. His wife Julie is also competing here.
Andrew Turvey. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Andrew Turvey, a very successful campdraft competitor and the General Manager of Willinga Pastoral, is also at the event, as is Sarah Cookson. Sarah hails from a great campdrafting family and has long been associated with the Willinga Park breeding programmes.
It has been a hotly anticipated event, and those missing out are certainly disappointed. Tom Williamson, one of the top juniors in the sport and winner of the Young Rider class at Willinga Park Gold Buckle in 2022, is by all accounts wild that he has had to stay at boarding school rather than be at the draft! His father is here supporting the team.
Of course, when you talk about horses all eyes will be on Bad In Black that Terry Snow purchased at the 2022 Nutrien Classic sale in Tamworth for the record price of $550,000. She was purchased not only as a competition proposition (to be trained and ridden by Troy Palmer), but as a huge asset to the Willinga Park stockhorse breeding programme. Being by Stevie Rey Von from Spinies Bad Girl, she has a wonderful genetic line for an amazing stud career.
Action underway
Over the four days of competition, there will be over 1500 runs! Classes include the McKechnie Earthmoving Open, Colliers Agribusiness Maiden, Sandon Glenoch Angus & Dulverton Ladies Draft, and the Pumps and Solar Teams Event.
In the lead at present in the Maiden class is Mick Southern and Neirbo President on 91.5, while Rohan Marks and Turnermarks Navratilova lead the Open on 177, with plenty still to go today and tomorrow.
Accommodation for spectators is catered for via 36 glamping tents near the main arena, while a shuttle bus schedule makes it easy for others to get to and from the event.
Glamping at Juandah Plains. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Willinga Pastoral Company’s first campdraft at Juandah Plains is set to be simply outstanding. It has to be seen to believe. It is Queensland’s oasis in campdraft form… quite amazing, as is the man who stands behind it all, Terry Snow!
Find out more via the event page here.
Results via Campdraft Central.
READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE
