Buyers from every state were represented at the 2018 Toowoomba Supreme Sale held on the weekend at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.
A total of 204 led and ridden performance horse lots were sold, grossing $1.34 million with a record average of $6,575.
Day one saw a line-up of top quality led horses on show in front of a solid crowd at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. Yearling fillies with proven pedigrees were in demand, with Lot 145, a well presented yearling filly Freckles Confidante – by Hazelwood Conman and out of Freckles Rachel (Docs Freckles Oak x Foxy Return) on behalf of W and K Whatmore Farming Trust, topping the led section – she sold for $21,000 to L and T Challacombe of Capella.
Other top selling lots from the led section of the catalogue included Lot 12 Millungeras Sparkles (One Stylish Pepto x Soda Sparklet) on account of Evan and Kim Acton and presented by Huon Smith, who sold for $18,000 to Nick Stark of Kingaroy and Lot 72 Beljay Lethal Confidence (Hazelwood Conman x Rodann Lethal Glow) on account of Belinda Stab of Beljay Performance Horses, who sold for $16,000 to the Manchons of Trinity Ranch, Tamworth, NSW.
Sunday showcased an increasingly improved standard of ridden performance horses. Long-time Landmark Supreme and Classic supporters Brett and Joy Pechey sold the top priced horse of the sale (who was also top priced ridden mare) and top priced ridden gelding. Their beautifully presented lot 235, 3-year-old mare “Calinda Miss Leeony Jane” (Smartys High Card x Turners Stud Miss Leeony) really worked a cow for the crowd and was well bought by J and G Pastoral for $28,000. Lot 252, their talented 3-year-old gelding “Proud To Be A Frog” (Frogman Henry x Pep N Okie Hope) also put on a show in the ring and saw some keen bidding. He was booked up to Landmark Emerald for $18,000.
Graham Amos sold a large draft of quality led and ridden performance bred horses in his full A1 Training Stables stud dispersal. Lot 266, his imported sire “Catskills” (High Brow Cat x Smart Solution) who has produced a number of successful cutters and campdrafters, put on a real show in the arena and was booked up on Sunday afternoon for $20,000 to Brett and Joy Pechey.
Catskill’s progeny sold well, topped by Lot 272, a nicely prepared 3-year-old mare “Sanasha Kitty” (Catskills x Hickaboonsmal) selling for $21,000 to RW and RK King of St George.
The Supreme Campdraft program was action packed this year, with $75,000 in cash and prizes on offer attracting some of the most competitive names in the business.
The $20,000 Landmark 2-year-old Challenge final was held on Friday night, showcasing some very exciting young horses who were purchased as yearlings at the 2017 Supreme Sale. After some tough competition in the first rounds on Thursday, this year’s 2-year-old Challenge champions were Michael Wilson and his gelding “Sheady Sideshow” (Rodann Destiny Chex x Jays Slick Chic) owned by the Willdraft Partnership. They finished with a score of 255.22 ahead of Allan Wallen on his “Dandilla Blackout” with 253.94 and Nathan Wilson aboard Greg Kings “Sheadys Rock N Smart” on 253.72.
Saturday saw an exciting night of campdraft finals, which kicked off with the Landmark Supreme Me-Cow Mechanical Cow campdraft. A talented line-up of young horses previously purchased at a Toowoomba Supreme Sale showed off their skills, with Shane Corbolt on Brett Small and Belinda Faulkners mare “Duckster” taking out line honours with a score of 172. “Duckster” (Rey Dual x Spinies Duckling) was purchased from vendor John Brekelmans at the 2017 Supreme Sale for $15,000.
Yasmin Vidler on husband Brad’s “Crystal Acres” was runner-up on 168, edging ahead of Brett Welsh on his “John Chisum” in 3rd (167) and Andrew Winks on his “Acres of Stars” in 4th (166). Tom Sheilds came in 5th on Brad Sheilds “Ducks Special” (160) and Dan Lindley on his “Seligmans Penpal” were 6th (105).
Next up was the Rosevale Santa Gertrudis Challenge that saw top quality horsemanship from some of the top Challenge competitors in the country.
Jon Templeton on Mick and Cass Atkins had a very classy run for a wet work average of 89 and total score of 336.03, proving enough to steer ahead of the field and take the 2018 Challenge title. The 2-year-old Challenge winner Michael Wilson was 2nd on the Field Family Partnerships Nandeye Destinys Dream with 328.95. Leah Read on Simon and Rachel Fitzhenrys Daddys Definition was 3rd (326.1), Cody Stevens on Jeffrey and Nicole Nairns Destinys Fancy Panther was 4th (324.61), Brett Welsh on his Allstars Famous Acres was 5th (323.26) and Nathan Wilson was 6th aboard Amanda Howies Acres Limited Edition (321.22).
The $8000 Lemontree Feedlot Masters campdraft was a tight knit competition with just four combinations in the final. Joe Payne on Grant Telfords “My T Cat” took home the title with a total score of 174. Garry Brown on “Lori” came in 2nd, Tricia Krienke on Hazel Beitzs “Kodak Quickstep” was 3rd and Rob Leach on Dane Batemans “Barragunda Double Destiny” was 4th.
The Leicht CIA Open Campdraft Final saw some of the hottest horse and rider combinations in the game come to the table for a shot at taking home the title. Rob Leach and LC Partnerships talented Conman stallion “Hazelwood Congressman” added another open title to their list, adding an 86 in the final to a 90 from the first round for a total of 176.
Phillip McCormack on his and Gloria’s “Clearchoice Kate Kelly” came in a close 2nd, adding a scorching 90 to an 84 for 174. Peter Green on Jim Greens “Champ” was 3rd (172) and equal 4/5/6th were Leah Read on Nicolas and Joanne Markwells “Sahara”, Jon Templeton on his “Contrast” and Jim Green on his “Leroy” - all with 171.
There was some tough competition in the Black Truck Sales Novice final, with some great runs being put on the board - the total scores just show you how close of a battle it was. Bill Tonkin on his sale gelding, Lot 175 “Jesse” ran an 89 to snatch the title in a tight field, with a total score of 172. In a close equal 2nd/3rd place was Glenn Evans on Dan and Jenny Redgens stallion “Kirkbys Stud Credit” and Joshua Smith on his “Rey’s Dual Oak”, both on 171. Wade Clarke on “Skinny Love” and a member of the green team - Brodie Hurley - on “Little Sussie” were equal 4th/5th on 170.
The last event for the evening was the new Riverina Stock Feeds Champion of Champions event, which took the top three placed combinations from each campdraft into a clean slate round. It was a nail biting finish, with Phillip McCormack putting another one round on Clearchoice Kate Kelly to win a run-off against Peter Green on Jim Greens Champ; Masters winner Joe Payne on Grant Telfords My T Cat came in 3rd, Brett Welsh on his John Chisum were 4th and 5; U Campdraft winner Shane Courbould on Duckster was 5th.
