DESPITE the dust barely settling on the 2014 event, Nixon’s X-Ing Campdraft organisers are already planning ways to make 2015 something special.
About 180 competitors went head to head over five days of competition last week as they vied for $65,000 in prize money and a swag of additional prizes, including a Paspaley pearl, a painting and a saddle.
The event is now in its sixth year and Nixon’s X-Ing Campdraft Association spokesperson Terry Jones said she believed the venue was what made it a must-do for many.
“I think it’s the one of the best venues in the NT and we take a lot of pride in making it that way,” she said.
“People can actually sit on a grass mound in the shade and actually see the cut-out yard.”
Ms Jones said the event was good for the Katherine economy because of its duration, meaning competitors and spectators camping at the venue had to stock up on supplies in town.
In addition to the fierce competition in the arena, Ms Jones said a range of activities had helped to attract spectators.
“We had a morning tea for the oldies who might have been campdrafters in the past,” she said.
“They just loved it. I also have to thank the band of grey nomads who came up here to help. We wouldn’t be able to do Nixon’s without their support.”
Click on the image below to see more pics in our online gallery of the Campdraft
2014 Nixon’s X-Ing Campdraft results
Open draft final: Noel Chiconi 1, Danny Hayes 2, Craig McNabb 3, Brett Lacey 4; Maiden draft final: Brett Wild 1, Kylie McNamara 2, Ty Blockland 3, Tom Curtain 4; Restricted open final: Jack Harries 1, Michael Hayes 2, Jack Harries 3, Gary Barbour 4; Ladies’ draft final: Alison Haines 1, Kate Townsend 2, Sophia Tapp 3, Tegan Dunn 4; Novice draft final: Jack Harries 1, Lucy Daley 2. Gary Faulks 3, Reg Underwood 4; Juvenile draft: Bessie Ford 1, Chelsea Riggs, Quintin Faulks, Chelsea Riggs 2; Junior draft: Hannah Hayes 1, Sasha Bowman 2, Toby Daley 3; Gelding shootout: Nathanael Lehman 1, Tom Curtain 2, Ty Blockland, Patrice Elliot, Shane Templeton 3; Mare shootout: Michael Hayes 1, Alison Haines 2, Rachael Bean, Tom Curtain 3; Stallion shootout: Tom Curtain 1, Jack Harries 2, Michael Hayes, Ron Wall 3; Four and under working horse challenge: Ron Wall 1, Wayne Bean 2, Gary Faulks 3, Five and over working horse challenge: Wayne Bean 1, Ben Tapp 2, Tom Curtain 3