2025 Terry Snow Restricted Open winner Rob Leach in action at Willinga Park. Photo: Supplied.
The late Terry Snow had a vision of creating a legacy for horse sports at Willinga Park.
Showjumping, dressage and campdrafting have all found a home at Willinga Park at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast.
This week, the focus is on campdrafting with the Gold Buckle Campdraft Championships. With $500,00 in cash and prizes on offer, the event has cemented its place as Australia’s richest in the sport.
Long regarded as the competition sport of the Australian stock horse, campdrafting sees the rider singling out a cow from a mob, then guiding the beast through an obstacle course.
The prestigious Gold Buckle. Photo: Supplied.
Willinga Park managing director Nick McDonald Crowley says it’s important to maintain Terry Snow’s vision.
“Terry believed campdraft deserved an event that recognised the dedication of competitors and wanted to create an event that gave something back to the sport.
“He wanted to create a championship that people aspired to win and an experience they wanted to return to every year.”
Judging by the increase in numbers, that vision is intact, with 240 competitors travelling far and wide for a slice of the pie this week.
The statistics are impressive, with 2000 head of cattle prepared and allocated for four days in competition featuring 1200 runs.
The growth in numbers is across all competitions: men, women, junior and juvenile.
With the competition starting on Wednesday, the big day is what has been billed as ‘Super Saturday’ with the Gold Buckle final, which will see the champion awarded the $100,000 Golden Buckle.
The Freestyle Kings motocross stunt team is one of the attractions at Willinga Park this week. Photo: Supplied.
Also on display at Willinga Park, as part of the campdrafting festival, will be a trade fair, a motocross stunt show, the Raiders mascots and food and drink stalls.
The Gold Buckle not only celebrates the sport of campdrafting but also showcases the beauty of Willinga Park and the South Coast.
To find out more, and get your tickets, visit Willinga Park.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
