Gold Buckle Championship Returns with Record Prize Pool
Almost 1,000 nominations across eight competition categories will see hundreds of campdraft competitors and their families travel to Willinga Park this July for the Gold Buckle Campdraft Championship, Australia’s richest campdraft.
From 8 to 11 July, the championship returns with the largest prize pool in the event’s history, awarding more than $500,000 in cash and prizes across four days of competition, including the coveted $100,000 Gold Buckle Champion’s cheque. Strong growth in the Gold Buckle Open, Ladies, Junior and Juvenile events highlight the continued strength of Australian campdrafting and the championship’s growing appeal.
Competitors travelling from across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, travelling thousands of kilometres to compete for one of Australian campdraft’s most recognised titles. The current field includes more than 240 competitors, with the furthest travelling over 2,300 kilometres one way to Willinga Park.
Behind the scenes, close to 2,000 head of cattle will be prepared and allocated across four days of competition, ensuring fresh cattle for more than 1,200 competition runs. The scale of the operation makes the Gold Buckle Campdraft Championship one of Australia's largest and most significant campdraft events.
Since first hosting the event in 2018, Willinga Park has awarded more than $2.5 million in cash and prizes to Australian campdraft competitors. Over that same period, the event’s impact has extended well beyond the arena, with the Gold Buckle estimated to have generated more than $7 million in economic activity for the Shoalhaven through visitor spending, local procurement and event operations.
Established by the late Terry Snow AM, the Gold Buckle Campdraft Championship was built on Terry's vision of creating a world-class championship that celebrated Australian campdrafting, rewarded competitors and showcased the sport to a wider audience. With the continued support of the Snow family and affiliated sponsors, that vision has grown into one of Australia's premier campdraft championships.
While the $100,000 first prize is significant, the value of winning extends well beyond the winner's cheque. A Gold Buckle title is recognised throughout the industry as one of campdraft's highest achievements and represents years of dedication to breeding, training and horsemanship.
New in 2026, the Willinga campdraft season also includes the Longyard Hotel Aggregate Trophy, recognising the leading aggregate horse and rider combination across the Willinga Park Gold Buckle Open and Willinga at Juandah Plains Open. The winning combination will receive a custom-built Chucka Cow Trailer valued at $46,200.
Managing Director of Willinga Park, Nick McDonald-Crowley, said the continued growth of the championship demonstrates the enduring strength of Terry Snow's vision.
"Terry believed campdraft deserved an event that recognised the dedication of competitors and 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."
“What we’re seeing today is competitors travelling thousands of kilometres, strong competitor commitment, stronger nomination numbers across the program and generations of families continuing to invest in the sport. That tells us the Gold Buckle has become much more than a competition. It’s become a championship that belongs to the Australian campdraft community while delivering meaningful benefits for the Shoalhaven.”
The championship reaches its peak on Super Saturday, when the Gold Buckle Final crowns Australia’s richest campdraft champion. Alongside the day’s competition, spectators can enjoy two Freestyle Kings motocross stunt shows, rider meet and greets, appearances by Canberra Raiders mascots Victor the Viking and Velda, face painting, live music, bustours, the Trade Village and a range of food and beverage offerings. With the event falling during the NSW school holidays, Super Saturday also offers families a full day out at one of the South Coast’s biggest winter events.
What began as Terry Snow's vision to celebrate campdraft and reward its competitors has grown into one of Australia's leading championships. Today, the Gold Buckle continues to invest in the future of the sport, deliver lasting benefits for competitors and the Shoalhaven, and create a spectator experience that brings families, visitors and the wider community closer to Australian campdraft.
Stay up to date at www.willingapark.com.au or follow @willingapark on social media.