The Western District Campdraft Association formed in 1975. Portable yards were purchased and taken where the cattle were available to run a draft - usually a one day event.
In 2006 the Macarthur Recreation Reserve became the permanent home of the WDCA.
Our Campdraft now runs over 3 full days, and continues to grow in popularity.
Campdrafting is a uniquely Australian Horse Sport and a real Australian pastime in which all the family can participate and enjoy. At the WDCA we are now seeing three generation's of families competing. A typical Campdraft Program today consists of a variety of events ranging from Junior 8 and under 13 years, Juvenile 13 and under 17 years, Encouragement 17 yrs & above (for those members who have not won a L, M, N, or O event), Ladies, Maiden, Novice and the elite of our sport the Open Draft.
The aim of the competition is to cut a beast from a small mob in the camp, moving their horse among the cattle quietly and bring the chosen beast to a gate at the other end (front) of the (camp) yard, for a short time blocking the beast two or three times preventing it from returning to the mob. When the competitor feels that control of the beast has been demonstrated to the judge, they call for the gate to be opened. Once on the arena, the competitor is working against the clock (forty seconds) to guide the beast around two pegs in a figure of eight pattern, and then drive the beast between a final two pegs known as the gate. The best combination of control of the beast, riding skills, speed and completing the course scores the highest points. It is not unusual to see a beast gated in under twenty five seconds, demonstrating the speed and agility of the specially trained horses. The ability of the horses, combined with breathtaking horsemanship, makes campdrafting a sport for both competitors and spectators.
Today campdrafters range from amateur to professional stockman, with whole families testing their riding and horse skills against each other and the cattle.