Steven Hart has spent more than two decades chasing the Warwick Gold Cup.
It is a dream he has spent much of his life vying for.
Steve has built his career around developing performance horses, competing at the highest level, and passing his knowledge on to the next generation.
Steven Hart and Yaven Smooth Spint. Photo: Kate Jones Photography
Now, as he prepares for another Warwick Gold Cup, the ambition remains as strong as ever.
“It’d be a dream come true to win, an absolute dream come true,” Steve said.
“I’ve been dreaming of it and working towards it pretty much all my life.
“You try to make sure your horses are right, you breed your horses and train them so that you can go to the Warwick Gold Cup and be competitive.”
Steve has been making the trip to the event since around 2004, missing only a handful of editions depending on his horsepower and commitments.
He has already come close to achieving his dream, finishing third in the Warwick Gold Cup in both 2006 and 2008, along with a number of other strong final results.
“I was third in 2006 and third in 2008 and have had a bunch of other places as well over the years,” he said.
“Every time you go there, just to make a final, even to get a place, is a real thrill.”
That longevity has only reinforced what makes Warwick Cup Gold so special.
“The history and the prestige of it is so special,” he said.
“I actually grew up watching videos of it and learning about the history and the prestige of it. It’s like winning the Melbourne Cup.”
First contested in 1928 as part of Warwick’s Australian campdraft championships, the Warwick Gold Cup has grown into one of the defining events on the Australian campdrafting calendar.
It is a test of horsemanship, stock sense, timing and the partnership between horse and rider, with competitors from across the country converging on Warwick to chase a place in the event’s history. The event has been proudly supported by Pryde’s as naming rights sponsor since 2015, building on the company’s long-standing commitment to campdrafting and the people who make the sport what it is today.
The Gold Cup attracts a deep field of experienced competitors and Steve knows there is little room for error.
“All the competitors are really good, anyone can win it,” he said.
“They’ve all set themselves and got themselves in a position where they can go and put cattle around.
“You’ve got mainstays like Ben Hall and Pete Comiskey that are very, very competitive, and then Matty Holtz as well. Pete and Matty are both Pryde’s riders.”
Steve knows that success begins well before he enters the camp.
He will campaign both Yaven Smooth Spin in the Warwick Gold Cup, and his homebred mare Hart’s Allure.
Preparation is about building confidence and making sure his horses are comfortable with the work they will be asked to do when the pressure is on.
“Just making sure they’re confident and comfortable within their exercises,” Steve said.
Nutrition plays an important role in ensuring his horses are ready to perform, with Steve taking a considered approach to the diets of both his own horses and those of his clients.
“BioMare is my mainstay,” he said.
“We also use EasiResponse, depending on the horse, and Pryde’s EasiOil, which is great for more energy but doesn’t affect their behaviour.”
Steve said Pryde’s is an important part of his program, giving him confidence that his horses are receiving the nutrition they need through training and competition.
“Pryde’s has been absolutely amazing,” he said.
“What they say is in the feed, is actually in the feed, it’s in there, and it works. The horses can digest it to use to their advantage.”
“They always look good and feel good.”
While the Gold Cup remains the ultimate competitive goal, Steve’s connection with campdrafting goes well beyond his own results.
“I’ve enjoyed doing the sport pretty much all my life,” he said.
“I grew up chasing cattle and then to be able to go into an arena and compete, plus enjoy the people and the family setting around it has been absolutely brilliant.”
And while Steve has seen plenty of change during his years around Warwick, he believes the event continues to evolve while retaining the qualities that make it special.
“This year they’ve adjusted the program so the Warwick Gold Cup final is on a Saturday, which will draw in more of the crowd.
“They’re always evolving as they go along and just making things better.”
For Steve, that evolution only adds to the appeal of an event that has been part of his life for more than two decades.
The dream remains the same.
To arrive at Warwick with the right horses, make the most of the opportunities that come his way and, ultimately, lift the Gold Cup.
After all these years, Steve is still chasing the dream.
The Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft takes place from 19-25 October at the Warwick Showgrounds in Queensland. Visit the Pryde’s team on site for personalised nutrition advice, product samples and expert feeding recommendations. Make sure you stop by and see how the right nutrition can make a difference to your horse's health and performance.