Event director Dave Brown said he didn’t know quite what to expect getting the competition off the ground again, but was stunned by the terrific response by entrants and spectators. 

“We have done a lot of work out there over the last 10 months and the way the ground would hold up was our biggest worry, but the way the arena stood up to everything was just perfect,” Brown said. 

Brown said he was stunned by massive crowds for Saturday’s novice draft, but that everyone enjoyed fantastic weather and some excellent riding.

“The ground is fantastic, it has that natural amphitheatre shape and no matter where you are there is a great view of the competition area,” he said. 

A major sponsorship for generous cash prizes by Bendigo Bank for both major events in the novice draft and open draft had drawn in fantastic entries from near and far, Brown said. 

“We’re really grateful for the support from Bendigo Bank that saw us get entries from Wagga Wagga, Yass, Leongatha, Bombala, Canberra, Braidwood and beyond,” he said. 

The organising committee was unsure how successful the event would be after the 15-year hiatus and found it difficult to plan facilities when they were “flying blind”. 

“It seemed impossible at times,” Brown said. 

“We really had no idea what we might need so we sold out of a lot of stuff, but next year we’ll know to double it,” he said with a laugh. 

Former committee members and entrants from the last Candelo campdraft in 2001 jumped at the chance to compete again. 

The winner of the maiden event from 15 years ago took part, while former committee member Keith Summerall also contested the draft and commended organisers. 

“He was really happy to see it back,” Brown said. 

“It was a bit of a steep learning curve for us at some points and we ran tight for time, but it all happened and ran smoothly. 

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather, better cattle or for things to have gone any better than they did.

“To get the first horse and cow off and running out of the camp was a good feeling.”

However, Brown did say there had been an endless army of volunteers who had helped get the weekend running from sponsors to cattle donors and everyone who just helped man gates or the barbecue. 

Plans are already in motion for next year’s event including a cattle march up the road and a possible extension to three days of competition.