© Stephen Mowbray

Accomplished campdrafter Pete Comiskey has won more than $100,000 in the world’s richest campdraft competition

The World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft, held at Willinga Park on May 17 to 19, awarded a total prize pool of more than $225,000 – a figure not seen before in horse sports outside of racing.

Campdrafting is a uniquely Australian sport, developed as a recreational activity for riders with an interest in cattle-horses. It is popular with spectators, thanks to the speed and agility of the horses, and the superior horse and cattle skills demonstrated by the riders.

Winner Mr Comiskey rode his mare Paris for the top score across two final rounds of competition. To contest the Gold Buckle, he travelled more than 20 hours with 13 horses from the small town of Nebo in Central Queensland, where he runs a commercial cattle station.

Campdrafting is a family affair for the Comiskeys, with partner Bryony also a finalist at Willinga Park, and a 5-year-old son who also competes. Pete himself started campdrafting at 8 years old, and says it is a growing sport.

“This is a fantastic, family-friendly sport, and what Terry Snow is doing with campdrafting is taking it to the next level.”

With many prestigious wins to his name, Mr Comiskey has had an illustrious career in campdrafting, and says there is only one key to his success.

“The only secret is hard work, that’s all it comes down to.”

The World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft is the brainchild of Willinga Park owner Terry Snow, a passionate campdrafting fan, and breeder of the Australian Stock Horse that is commonly used in the sport.

“I wanted to promote campdrafting as a spectator event and I think we’ve done that,” Mr Snow said. “More than three thousand people have enjoyed a day in the county with great hospitality, and the best campdrafting ever in Australia. It’s been truly awe inspiring.”

Source: Press release Willinga Park

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