Now Wingham’s Ryan O’Hara is hoping to start 2017 off in a similar manner when he contests the national camp draft finals to be held in Tamworth in January.

The top 25 point-scorers from camp drafts held through the year qualify for Tamworth. Ryan, who gained a top 20 finish, will contest the 8 to under 13 years division. .

Ryan is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. He was nominated for the award by his coach at Wingham Pony Club, Suzanne Small.

Ryan finished the year in style at the Comboyne Rodeo when he finished first and second in his age division to seal a spot in Tamworth.

He’s looking forward to riding in the nationals.

“There’s going to be some top riders there,’’ he said.

Ryan also gives himself a reasonable chance of finishing among the major placings. The camp draft section will be conducted over two days.

Ryan lives on a acreage near Wingham and has been around horses all his life. He started riding when he was just two.

He has five horses, but names two, Holly and Sergeant, as his favourites.

Camp drafting is an almost year-long activity. At this stage Ryan competes on the busy local calendar, with Walcha being about the furthest he’s travelled for competition. However, he’s looking forward to expanding his horizons as he gets older.

Ryan spends a lot of his spare time on horseback.

“Every day if I can,’’ he answered when asked how often he rides.

Ryan is a keen member of the Wingham Pony Club, joining when he was six. If he’s not involved in camp drafting on weekends it’s a pretty safe bet he’ll be either competing or training with the pony club.

Wingham Pony Club is part of Zone Nine. This takes in 18 clubs from Wallamba to Coffs Habour.

Ryan competes in the 11 to under 13 years division and at the recent Wingham presentation he was awarded the trophy for the overall point-score at zone jamborees.

Ryan says he has no preference for competing in pony club events or camp drafting. He enjoys the different challenges both sports provide.

“They’re both good,'’ he said.

However, Ryan does have a longer term ambition. He has started show jumping and he wants to take this to the highest level.

“I’d like to ride in the Olympic Games,’’ he said.

Ryan is in year six at Wingham Public School.

He’ll head to Wingham High School in 2017, where he hopes he’ll have some spoils from the national camp drafting titles to show off.