RFTTEJOBS.com is proud to sponsor the Stand-Out Student Award at the 2026 Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup, with one deserving young competitor taking home the magnificent RFTTE trophy buckle and, quite literally, getting the “gold in the buckle”!
The award will recognise a student who stands out through their sportsmanship, horsemanship, leadership, attitude and willingness to support others throughout the event.
The Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup
- Pittsworth Showgrounds, Queensland
- 2 to 4 October 2026
The Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup has quickly developed into one of Australia’s leading school campdrafting events, bringing together young riders from schools across Queensland and New South Wales.
Following 38 schools participating last year, more than 300 young riders representing around 40 schools are expected to gather at Pittsworth in 2026.
Students travel from across Queensland and New South Wales to represent their schools in team and individual campdrafting events, demonstrating impressive horsemanship, stock handling and teamwork.
Just as importantly, the competition gives students an opportunity to build confidence, leadership, resilience and lifelong friendships with other young people who share their passion for horses, cattle and rural Australia.
From a Student’s Idea to a Major School Event
The Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup grew from an idea Emily Curr first presented to her school principal while she was a Year 8 student in 2016.
“I was in Grade 8 in 2016 and couldn’t play touch footy or tennis, so I went to my principal with a posterboard presentation of my idea for a campdraft, and the rest is history!”
Emily wanted students involved in campdrafting to have the same opportunity to represent their schools as students competing in more traditional school sports. Her idea led to the first High School Campdraft Percentile Cup being held in 2017.
What began as one student’s idea has grown into one of Australia’s leading school campdrafting events, attracting regional and city-based schools and establishing itself as a much-anticipated date on the school campdrafting calendar.
It is a terrific example of what can happen when a young person’s idea is backed by families, schools, volunteers, sponsors and the wider rural community.
More Than Simply Deciding a Winner
For Emily, the event has always been about more than the final scores and placings.
“When I first created the event, I hoped to give my school an opportunity to see and experience the sport we love, campdrafting. I still hope that the students competing today have that same opportunity to showcase our sport and share what makes it so special.
But as the event has grown, I have come to realise that there is so much more that I hope the students take away from the experience.
I hope they leave with a sense of pride, pride in themselves, pride in their teams and pride in representing their schools. I hope that being given the opportunity to put a score on the board for their school gives them greater confidence in their campdrafting and allows them to recognise what they are capable of achieving.
Most importantly, I hope that beyond the arena, the students are learning what it takes to build a team, work together towards a common goal, support one another and celebrate each other’s achievements.
If we can give these young people the opportunity to develop confidence, teamwork, resilience and a genuine sense of pride, while also introducing more students to the sport of campdrafting, then I believe the event has achieved something far greater than simply deciding a winner.”
Keeping Rural Skills and Traditions Alive
Campdrafting requires far more than simply being able to ride a horse.
Competitors must understand cattle, read the movement of their selected beast, communicate closely with their horse and make quick decisions under pressure. It demands preparation, patience, courage and respect for both horse and livestock.
These are valuable skills that extend well beyond the campdraft arena.
Many of the students competing at Pittsworth will become the next generation of station hands, stockpeople, horse trainers, livestock agents, veterinarians, agribusiness professionals and rural community leaders.
Events such as the Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup help keep Australia’s rural traditions alive while strengthening the future of our livestock and agricultural industries.
The RFTTE Stand-Out Student Award
Not every memorable performance is reflected on the scoreboard.
The RFTTE Stand-Out Student Award will recognise a young competitor who represents the qualities valued throughout the RFTTE community, including:
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Outstanding sportsmanship
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Respect for horses, cattle, officials and fellow competitors
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A positive and encouraging attitude
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Leadership and a willingness to help others
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Persistence when things do not go to plan
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A genuine passion for rural Australia
The winner will receive the specially designed RFTTE trophy buckle, featuring the High School Campdraft Percentile Cup, RFTTE and RFTTEJOBS.com.
We reckon it is a pretty special buckle, and we cannot wait to see which outstanding student earns the gold in 2026!
Support the 2026 Event
An event of this size relies on the generosity of sponsors, schools, families, volunteers and supporters.
Businesses and organisations can help the event continue providing young Australians with this valuable opportunity by becoming a sponsor.
Supporting the Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup is a practical way to invest in young people, rural communities and the future of Australian agriculture.
Follow the Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup on Facebook for sponsorship information, nominations, event announcements and highlights.
Ariat returns as the event’s Platinum Sponsor in 2026, continuing its long-term support of young riders and rural families.
We’ll See You at Pittsworth!
RFTTEJOBS.com is delighted to support the 2026 Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup and the talented young Australians who make it such a special event.
Good luck to every student, school team, horse and family making the trip to Pittsworth.
Ride well, look after your mates and enjoy every minute of it!
THE 2026 ARIAT HIGH SCHOOL CAMPDRAFT PERCENTILE CUP
Pittsworth Showgrounds, Queensland
2 to 4 October 2026
Blog by Simon Cheatham | Founder, RFTTE Pty Ltd
Sources: Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. Emily Curr’s quotes and image were supplied directly to RFTTEJOBS.com.
