Cord McCoy with RFD-TV will be at America’s First Australian Campdraft in August!
The “Ride with Cord McCoy” which airs on RFD-TV will be at America’s First Australian Campdraft in Kiowa, Colorado August 23-25, 2013 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. “The Ride with Cord McCoy” travels to some of the most famous ranch locations, arenas and events throughout the country and take a creative look at time-honor disciplines such as reining, roping, cutting, and now campdrafting. Mastering these skills has long been essential to the success of the traditional, as well as, modern-day working ranch cowboy.
Cord McCoy graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (’03) where he was a standout bull rider, saddle bronc rider and bareback rider for the “Bulldog” rodeo team. Cord turned pro in 2001 and has been a PBR member since 2004. However, this PBR fan favorite may be most recognized away from the riding arena as he and his brother, Jet, teamed up for a second place finish in season 16 of the CBS reality series “The Amazing Race,” and most recently a fifth place finish in season 18. Over 10 Million households tuned in for the finale of season 16. Cord currently lives in Ada, OK with his wife Sara.
Everyone is invited to come learn, watch, bring a horse or don’t to the clinic – it will be fun for the whole family. Two of Australia’s Campdraft Clinicians Peter Comiskey and Steven Hart will be there to help American equestrians learn how to “Cowboy” Australian style. Peter Comiskey is Australia’s All Time National Champion. The Aussies are thrilled to help and Elbert County is thrilled they are coming. These talented clinicians will teach a two-day clinic on August 23rd and 24th and then hold an open competition on the 25th starting at 9AM. All the action will take place at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa, Colorado.
Campdrafting, as it is known, is an event not totally unlike some of America’s stock horse and team penning events – but as Australians seem to be known for – it generates a bit more adrenaline. Under Australian Campdraft Association rules, horse and rider begin in a herd of at least six cattle, called a “mob,” in a small pen (the “camp”), and connected to a large circular arena. One of the primary differences between this and the American events like it is that these cattle are not calves or young adults – they are fully matured bovines who don’t usually want to be pushed around. With two helpers minding the gate to the arena, the competitor cuts the selected cow from the herd and works it for a short, preset amount of time. Once the rider is ready, the helpers allow the cow and rider through the gate to the arena, which is known as a “draft”. There, the team has 40 seconds to guide the cow through a cloverleaf pattern of cones. The cow must be turned in a figure 8 around the first two cones and then be driven in between 2 cones known as the gate without knocking any cones down. If cow or rider knocks one down they are disqualified — not that the cow cares. All the moves in the draft are typically performed at high speed because this is a timed event.
Be sure to come and watch this historic event or plan to participate. Go to http://campdraft.us/ to sign up or obtain all the information.
Contact Mary Harris
President US National CampDraft Association kiowacountryc@earthlink.net (303) 621-5836.
