Willinga Park to host World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft

The event, at Willinga Park, Bawley Point, starts on Wednesday May 11 and tickets are on sale now.

Willinga Park's Executive Chairman, Terry Snow, said world-class event would be presented.

"The prize money has been increased to over $400 000 in cash and prizes, which is unheard of in Australia - and possibly taking the competition to be the richest in the world for a contest involving cattle and horses," he said

"I hope that the prize-winners can use the increase in prize money to devote more time to their horses and develop and promote their sport."

The program for the championships is:

Wednesday May 11 - Gold Buckle Round1 (portion)

Thursday May 12- Gold Buckle Round 1 (portion), Gold Buckle Round 2 (portion), Breed for Future Parade, Cut-Out Qualifier

Friday May 13 - Gold Buckle Round 2 (portion), Ladies Dash for Cash, Cut Out Final

Saturday May 14- Semi-Final, Gold Buckle Final, Breed for Future Parade, State of Origin.

The Willinga Park organisation, this year, is excited to host Lee Kernagahan and James Blundell live in concert, 6 pm Saturday May 14.

Australia's most loved county music icons, Lee Kernaghan and James Blundell, are bringing the bush to Bawley in a country music showcase that will kick off after the Campdraft finals on Saturday evening - featuring South XO and Sara Berki.

Tickets are available for the concert only; entry is from 4.30 pm.

Go to willingapark.com.au/events/campdraft/ to get your tickets.

Meanwhile, campdrafting is a truly unique Australian sport that began in the bush in the 1920s and early 1930s when drovers, moving cattle along the roads, wanted to prove their horse skills.

Stockmen would show off their skills and ability to cut out (separate a beast from the herd) and chase cattle on horseback.

Now, 100 years later, it has more than 16,000 registered members.