THE annual Wannon River Campdraft was staged over the weekend with Harry Steiger claiming victory in both Open events with Abby’s Romance and Count Duckula.

With more than 670 entries for the nine different classes, it was always going to be a jam-packed campdraft and so it proved to be with the organisers running out of available light on Saturday to complete the first of the Open events.

Steiger showed his undoubted horsemanship by winning on two different mounts, while also finishing top-10 on three other horses in the two Open events.

Steiger won the Restricted Open on Count Duckula, and equal second with Bells Magic along with Paige Nancarrow was just one point behind, runner-up and Oaks Confection; to have a double podium finish.

In the Juvenile class, Ben Taylor made great use of the Victorian Championship Open winning horse, Spider, as he took out the event by five points from Kaylah Lyons on Wattlewood Flirt and William Templeton was third on Starstud Scotty.

Emily Taylor took out the Ladies event riding Shivor by four points from Imogen Mills aboard Geebee Pyper with Kathryn Hengstberger atop Budgerroo Cindy a further 17 points further back in third.

Steiger was again atop the podium in the Novice section with a five-point victory riding Jessie J over second-placed Toby White and Smith Family Dulcie, as Jarred Fitzpatrick ran third on Allhours Emme.

Junior 1 was won by Xander Ide astride Chalani Nova by six-points from George Rees on Toby with Georgia Eddy riding Ruby in third place.

Ruby James again found success in the Junior 2 event, this time aboard the family-bred-and-owned Breeze, winner by a one-point margin over Hannah Young riding Kardinia Oaklee, with Xander Ode only a further point adrift in third on Chalani Nova.

Tasman McEwin had a resounding victory in the Maiden A event as she romped away with an 11-point victory on Glen-Airlie Chevy to defeat Toby White on Cantaur Park Peppys Lad, with Andrew Mercer on Frank only two-points further back in third place.

The Maiden B event was decided only after a run-off, with Kevin Geppart astride Ervines Elvis taking the win over Harry Mercer and Gilbert.

Mercer was the most successful rider of the weekend, his five runs including four with points of 80-plus and an overall average of 73.

More photos from the Wannon River Campdraft on Page 10.