Chopper pilot steers horse to campdraft glory

Cameron Parker might spend most of his time in the cockpit, but he was more at home in the saddle at the weekend.

The Central Queensland helicopter pilot spent three days of fierce competition over the Anzac Day weekend, competing in the prestigious Rocky Rush at the Gracemere saleyards complex.

With the State's top cowboys, the competition combined cutting, reigning and camp-drafting and led into the annual Quarter Horse sale on Monday and Tuesday.

Against stiff competition, Mr Parker scored top prize in the Queensland Country Life junior challenge, scoring 452.5 points atop the horse One More Daddy, owned by Mack and Gail Shann, Centaur Park, Clermont.

Mr Parker lives in the Mount Coolon district, north of Moranbah, on Blair and Josie Angus's property, Sondella Station.

He rides most afternoons after a day of flying and said that it is important to get in the saddle every day.

With many major titles two his name, it marked the second consecutive year he has won the junior challenge of the Rocky Rush.

He came in ahead of Frank Green on Johnny Paycheque who placed second (447 points), while Berry Shann on Sandy Spin scored 446 points to place third.

In the senior challenge, Rick Frost (Pepe Wood) placed first ahead of Nathan Wilson (Chickasha Josie) in second and Andrew Currie (Early Oak) in third.